Friday, March 29, 2013

ARC Review: A Corner of White by Jaclyn Moriarty


Title: A Corner of White

Author: Jaclyn Moriarty 

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Release Date: April 1st, 2013

It always pains me to have to write a review for a book that I know very few others will truly come to love. I don't deny that there are those who will pick up A Corner of White and persevere on through its slow start to eventually like this book, but the amount of readers who will possibly enjoy that slow beginning, the way I did? Few and far between. Nevertheless, A Corner of White is a splash of color in a genre suffering from cliches; a genre where originality has become a thing of legend. As such, although it is not a book everyone will love, it is a book I firmly believe everyone should read. Or at least try to.

A Corner of White is the tale of two teenagers, both who have lost their fathers in different ways, but both who feel lost in their own worlds in the same way. In Cambridge, England, we are introduced to Madeleine, a girl who used to run away often until, one day, her mother ran away with her; away from their rich father and into the cramped flat they now reside in. For much of the novel, Madeline remains an enigma. In fact, what we do learn about her, we learn from best friends Jack and Belle. Jack, who has a massive crush on Madeleine, sees her as a spirit who won't be tied down, as someone who adds color to the world. Belle, slightly more cynical, is quick to call into question the opulent past lifestyle that Madeleine used to lead, along with her strange-named friends who seem unreal. Yet, all Madeleine really aches for is the familiarity of her father and she detests being tied down both to England and her mother who seems to be half-crazed at times. Although she is an avid fact-collector, the fact that her mother attempts to be the same - unsuccessfully - in the hopes of winning a game show competition, frustrates her. As things in Madeleine's life slowly begin spiraling out of control, it is the letters she writes to a boy named Elliot who lives in Cello, a world she firmly believes in fake, that keep her from cracking.

In Cello, a parallel world, Elliot has just returned from another fruitless search for his father. In Elliot's world, Colors are dangerous creatures that can either attack or cause the inhabitants of the towns they pass to feel a multitude of emotions. Only a few years ago, Elliot's uncle was found dead, torn apart by a Purple, next to their truck and Elliot's father and the high school physics teacher found missing. Although many townspeople believe that Elliot's father ran off with the teacher, Elliot refuses to let go of the belief that his father is being help captive by a Purple. Now, back in his town, Elliot finds that his father's shop has been rented out to the Twinklehams, that the famed Butterfly Child is due to arrive in a jar any time in Cello, and that the Princesses are on a grand tour. In the midst of this, though, Elliot finds a letter in a small crack in the sculpture his friend made and thus begins a correspondence between himself and Madeleine. Although neither of them take their initial letters too seriously, with time, their bond of friendship and trust deepens until, surprisingly, they become the solution to each others problems.

A Corner of White has so much going for it that I hardly know where to begin. Each chapter of this novel alternates between Our World and Cello with the third person narration of Jack and Madeleine or Elliot and the Sheriff of Cello. Additionally, within the sections concerning Cello, Moriarty uses excerpts from Tourist Guides to explain her world and magazine clippings written by the Princesses on their tour to give us full insight into the political system present in her fantasy realm. Surprisingly, this method worked very successfully, mostly because it was used sparingly. Nevertheless, through it and the letters Elliot sent Madeleine, Moriarty was able to paint a thorough image of Cello in our minds, astonishing me with the depth of her world-building.

Yet, what makes A Corner of White such a special novel are the characters themselves. Madeleine, as I've said before, is a protagonist we are rather unsure of at first. As we slowly glean more glimpses into her life, however, our hearts go out to her. A Corner of White, it will surprise you to know, is a classic find-your-way-in-the-world novel, only in an entirely different way. What I love is that Madeleine has been running away all her life, unable to realize who she is or discern the harsh realities of her past. Only now, through strong friendships, bonds with the mother she never truly knew, and a grounding home is she able to look into herself and see the blessings she's been bestowed in life. Madeleine, in particular, enjoys metaphors and when she is assigned a project to become Isaac Newton, she begins to see him in every aspect of her life. Although I am never one for enjoying extended school assignments, especially in novels, the facts dispersed throughout this novel about Newton only served a greater purpose and the clever allusions and larger metaphors all came back to pleasantly blow my mind.

Along with Madeleine, though, Elliot too is lost in his world. Despite being the "star child" of his town, Elliot doesn't know who he is without his father or without the purpose of finding him. Yet, though Elliot is revered in his town, we can see that he has a bitter side to him as well. Using his wit, Elliot manages to sabotage any business the Twinklehams attempt to begin in his father's mechanic shop. Very cleverly, Elliot and his tight group of five other friends offer to fix broken items themselves or take them, free of charge, to the stores of other mechanics. As such, we can see that Elliot is not as perfect as he seems to the world. Moriarty shows us the dual sides, the depth, to her characters in such subtle ways that we continue to love them, but in the back of our minds, these alternate personalities still linger.

If you thought that was clever, though, just wait till you get to the last page of this novel. Although A Corner of White is a slow story, with Elliot and Madeleine simply living their lives and dealing with the problems that life throws at them, all while writing to each other, it does have a greater plot thread that emerges towards the end. And, trust me when I say that the wait is worth it. A Corner of White reads suspiciously like a set-up novel to a great series - and it is one - but as a stand-alone too, I find myself to be utterly in love. It is, very honestly, a strange novel, but it is one that is so easy to understand and resonate with, without even trying, that you cannot help but utter only one word when you're all finished with it. Beautiful.

19 comments:

  1. Wow, this book sounds so unique! I thought it was just a contemporary YA until you mentioned the parallel worlds. I'm really curious about it now, definitely checking it out when it comes out.

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  2. Wow. I think my mind was simply blown just reading your review, Keertana, to be completely honest. Looking at the cover, I never would have guessed it's like an urban fantasy book with parallel worlds, but I love love love the sound of the parallel world with the whole thing with colors (not to mention the puns you were able to use throughout your review, haha ;)).

    Although being slow and somewhat strange, I just can't NOT try this book now, Keertana! Something in the way you reviewed this book is yelling at me to pick this one up, and I most definitely will, in hopes that I love this one as much as you did.

    Fantabulous review, Keertana! <3

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  3. I am so so excited for this book! I'm glad you loved it - sometimes you and I are dead on for how we feel about books. This one seems pretty subjective, but I am really excited to start.

    I can deal with slow movement and a lot of setup, especially with more on the way! I think this just got bumped up my review queue!

    Lovely review, Keertana!

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  4. I've seen so many people read this book and it sounds so fabulous! I've actually read The Year of Secret Assignments and loved how she wrote and even though Corner of White isn't in letter, diary, journal entries, I love how she still includes a few snips of Cello as you've mentioned in your beautiful review! And the thought of being introduced to Cello sounds so fanscinating! Espeically with the enemy of Colors and of course for the fabulous characters! I want to meet Madeline and Elliot and Jake. They sound so fantastic how you've described them!

    I am definitely going to pick this book and the thought that not a lot of people know Moriarty depresses me because she's an Aussie author that needs more love. ^^

    I love this review, Keertana!

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  5. Beautiful review, Keertana. It sounds like an amazing book. I've never heard of a concept like this before and I'm excited to check it out.

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  6. I'll be honest and say that probably I won't be one of those people who truly love this story. I mostly get over slow starts but it kills my interest somehow. I'm still happy that you really enjoyed this story :)

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  7. This sound very different. Fantasy and contemp all mixed together. I passed up on this book at the ALA because the synopsis didn't appeal to me and I'm not sure that I like it even now. But I'm glad to see you enjoyed it, Keertana. Wonderful review. :)

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  8. Ever since Mandee rated this one, I've had every intention to read it. The few reviews I've read recently have all been pretty encouraging, too, and yours definitely seals the deal. I love the sound of Cello and the parallel worlds, and that this sounds just that important bit different from everything else. You also have me very curious about the ending! I can't wait to find out what it is. Great review as always!

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  9. my friend who works at scholastic just recommended this to me... can't wait to read it!

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  10. I only just found out yesterday that this has fantasy elements (I know, I know) and so far, every review I've read has been very positive. I don't mind slower beginnings, or slower books if the end is rewarding. In fact, those kinds of reads usually end up being my favorites. Just think of The Scorpio Races.
    Thank you for the beautiful review. I'll make sure to get a copy as soon as I can.

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  11. I'm a big fan of Jaclyn Moriarty so I'm excited to read this! I know this has mixed reviews but I heard it pays off in the end. I'm glad you liked this one so much. It does sound beautiful! <3

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  12. You KNOW I am with you, I loved this book from the beginning, all the way til the end. This is such a lovely review, and it does make me a bit sad that a lot of readers will think this is slow/boring and quit on it.

    Bring on book #2!

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  13. Huh! I have never heard of this but the whole magical world with colors personified really interests the former art major in me! It sounds like this has a lot going on so I'm curious about the slow start you mention, but it's clear you loved it so that definitely puts it on my radar:) Great review!

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  14. When I looked at the cover, I thought it was contemporary. I had no idea what the premise was or about these parallel worlds until I came across your review. This sounds like an intriguing, unusual read that has definitely caught my interest. Your glowing review has convinced me to check it out! Beautifully written Keertana!

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  15. I'm so curious to see what my own reaction to this book will be, as I feel as if everyone reading it has either loved it or DNF'ed it. I'll likely read from her backlog firs though. The alternating between our world and Cello is so interesting to me! Not something you often see, reminds me of Phillip Pullman's Dark Materials a bit. I often don't mind slower stories when they're really character driven by wonderful characters, so my hopes are high!

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  16. I've read so many reviews now both praising A Corner of White and having found it far too obscure to understand. I really want to find out where I fall on this spectrum - I'm hoping very much that I'm one of those that can really appreciate Moriarty's story. It sounds so strange and whimsical, but, as you put it, definitely different from all the other cliches out there in YA books. I can totally get behind a story with a slower start if I feel like it is well-written and able to build up to something worth the wait. I'm glad you were able to enjoy the story, Keertana, even if you feel that this is one that not everyone can appreciate. That's what makes a story more unique, right?

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  17. I'm really glad you reviewed this one. I actually ended up with two reviews copies of it but immediately after receiving them heard from two close friends who DNF'd it. Luckily one explained to me why and I think I understand that it's one that has to be read when you're in just the right mood. Your wonderful review definitely has me much more eager to pick it up but I'm waiting for just the right time!

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  18. I'm actually a little bit nervous about reading this. I love, love, love Jaclyn Moriarty's writing and I know that this is going to be amazing.. and for some reason that makes me anxious about reading it! Strange, I know.

    This sounds so ambitious and brilliant.. and Moriarty's novels are always so intelligent, so I'm expecting great things when I eventually get around to reading it.

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  19. I was looking forward to reading this book in a few weeks but man, your review makes me want to read it NOW. I'm interested to see how I will like this book since I tend to be in the minority with my view points on books

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