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The Unnameables (2008)

by Ellen Booraem(Favorite Author)

3.33 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

0152063684 (ISBN13: 9780152063689)

languge

English

genre

Fantasy

publisher

HMH Books for Young Readers

review 1: I wanted to love this book. It is an dystopian tale that starts out so promising. The secluded, Puritan feel of the Island is well done, the clues to what is Unnameable draw the reader in. And the characters are rich and appealing. I was excited, thinking I had found something close to a book I love, The Giver. But alas, the action turns cartoonish (c'mon - everyone giving the Goatman napkins), crammed with resolving plot points and relationships . And no mention of the devastation the Islanders would feel in discovering their Book and social structure were based on , at the least, misinformation. People who a week before would not speak suddenly demand answers? The ending is such a missed opportunity . Still, the first half or so of the book is really well... more done. -thus 2 stars.
review 2: Medford Runyuin lives on the Island, a place where everything is named for its Use and nothing Useless is allowed. If you bake, your name is Baker; if you carve, your name is Carver; and everyone follows the rules laid out in The Book. Medford hopes to be called Carver once he reaches adulthood, but is worried about banishment because he has secretly been carving Useless (though beautiful) works of art. Now, if this had been the entire story, it would have been fairly generic. However, Medford's life is turned upside-down when he is visited by the Goatman, a smelly man with hooves and horns who can control the wind. This nifty little twist adds life to an otherwise rather standard story about the joy of creativity. I hope there's a sequel that goes into more detail about the goatfolk. He was the most interesting character. less

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