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One Plus One Equals Blue (2013)

by M.J. Auch(Favorite Author)

3.24 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

0805094059 (ISBN13: 9780805094053)

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)

review 1: I want to give this three stars due to the second half of the book, however the weak writing and basically non-existent plot makes me take off at least half a star. Also, the summary of the book (it being about rarely talked about mental quirks in young children and how it affects their day to day lives.) was terribly misleading, as very little of it was actually about what it advertised.HOWEVER. I loved, love loved the relationship between Basil and his mother Carly and how it was written/presented. Often in middle-grade books you'll see neglectful and immature parents incapable of taking care of their child being sugar coated with happy endings and "well, she'll get better." with endings that have previously terrible parents suddenly becoming capable of being nurtures. T... morehis book was so refreshing in the fact that it pulled no punches in presenting Carly as she truly was. A woman with good intentions, but no ability to make them come true. Throughout the book, Basil becomes painfully aware of his mom's flaws, calls her on them, and then accepts them. It was bittersweet and very well done and I applaud the author for it.This, though, only happened in the second half which meant the first half was plotless stream of thought that really had no substance or meaning to it. If anything, it was just sort of...blah until Carly entered the scene and the real issues were brought up. If anything, I wish this book's summary talked more about how it was a boy struggling with a mental quirk, but more importantly his relationship with his mother because in the end, that's really what it was about. All in all, it wasn't bad, it just wasn't everything it could have been. 2 1/2 stars.
review 2: I had high hopes for this book, mostly because I've heard great things about the author's other books, but I do not feel it lived up to the hype. The title implies there will be a focus on the main character's synethesia, but there really isn't a focus at all. It is mentioned here and there, and it earns Basil a new friend, but other than that, the story really focuses first on Basil adjusting to public school after being homeschooled, then it focuses on his new friendship with Tenzie, then it focuses on his relationship (or lack thereof) with his mother. It jumps around in terms of what I'm supposed to care about. It was interesting and a quick read, but not one I ever felt compelled to continue reading besides out of a sense of obligation. less

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