The Rabbit Back Literature Society by Pasi Ilmari Jaaskelainen
Review by Lauren
source: copy from library; all opinions are my own
Official Summary: Only very special people are chosen by children’s author Laura White to join ‘The Society’, an elite group of writers in the small town of Rabbit Back. Now a tenth member has been selected: Ella, literature teacher and possessor of beautifully curving lips. But soon Ella discovers that the Society is not what it seems. What is its mysterious ritual, ‘The Game’? What explains the strange disappearance that occurs at Laura’s winter party, in a whirlwind of snow? Why are the words inside books starting to rearrange themselves? Was there once another tenth member, before her? Slowly, disturbing secrets that had been buried come to light…
Review: This book is really not one you can explain. It’s something you just have to dive into and see what you think. It’s also not a good book to rate, per se, because it’s a weird novel. Weird things happen, weird characters do weird things. Yeah, weird. That doesn’t mean it was bad though. It was definitely well-written and inventive. It kept me reading because I very much wanted answers and to know what was happening with this literature society, especially the creator, Laura White.
I’ll say right now though that you will be left with some questions. The author answers some things, but this isn’t a book that completely wraps up with a nice little bow. I suppose it wouldn’t work well if it had been though. A friend of mine saw that I was reading this one and she sad it was “weird, but good.” I know, I know, I’m using the word weird a lot and not really explaining things. But to be honest, if you want to read this book, the less you know, the better! I feel like this might have worked better for me as a film. It just seems like certain things would have translated better – then again, this is an English translation of a Finnish novel, so who knows if that changed the novel at all? I still think the book is meant to be fantastical though. It’s not completely contemporary, as it does deal with some supernatural or fantasy elements. Some of these things aren’t given meaning, like I mentioned before, but it does add a layer to the overall story.
This book is written by Pasi Ilmari Jaaskelainen who lives in Finland, making this is a Bridge the Gap book (an author who lives in a country other than your own). Feel free to use this button and link back to my blog if you read a Bridge the Gap book!
I don't know if I would like to have many questions at the end… always a difficult thing for me
Kind of very interested by this book now. I kind of enjoy them when authors don't reveal everything and leave things to your imagination 🙂
-Leta | The Nerdy Me
Haha! The level of weirdness enshrouding this book truly piques my interest!
xx
Sometimes weird is the best descriptor isn't it? I have to admit to liking inventive and different approaches to story telling, but I do like tidy endings.
Oddly enough you have me very curious about this weird little read 🙂 Thanks Lauren!
I love weirdness in books, so I wouldn't mind diving in to see what it has to offer. Love the name of the town.
I think I kind of love that this was so unusual and weird. It definitely sounds interesting.
So take home message is that this one is weird but good…. I like weird.
I am completely intrigued! I think I might have to get this one. 🙂
I do like books that pose more questions than they should, but only when it comes to non-fiction narratives. Also, I have a pen pal in Finland! I'll have to let her know about this book 🙂 Great review!
I love the cover of this book so much! It sounds so interesting, too. I'll have to check this one out.
Marianne @ Boricuan Bookworms
http://boricuanbookworms.com
Wow, this one sounds really intriguing. But that ending… hm. I don't need everything tied up nice and neat but at the same time open endings can kind of drive me crazy so maybe this isn't the best pick for me. LOL
Weird can be good!
Karen @For What It's Worth
I was so happy to see this review! I have been thinking about reading this book. I tried to get the US release eARC, but was denied. I keep forgetting to put it on my library look fors list, so thanks for reminding me. It love weird books, so I will probably like this one. Thank you for the review. 🙂
I'm good with weird and I kind of like open ended endings too as I find I keep thinking about them afterwards. I'm intrigued!
Weird doesn't always work for me, but it does sound like an original book. I don't like it when I am left with too many questions, I like it when a book is being wrapped up nicely, although it is okay if not everything gets wrapped up. You do make me curious with how little you can say about this book, except for weird. Great review!