ross91
Written on May 15, 2019
This book is not for me.
Standard YA dystopian/apocalyptic series.
Nothing really stood out for me.
In the Gulf Coast region, where grounded oil tankers are being broken down for parts, Nailer, a teenage boy, works the light crew, scavenging for copper wiring just to make quota - and hopefully live to see another day. But when he discovers an exquisite clipper ship beached during a recent hurricane, Nailer faces the most important decision of his life: Strip the ship for all it's worth or rescue its lone survivor, a beautiful and wealthy girl who could lead him to a better life...
- ISBN10 0316056197
- ISBN13 9780316056199
- Publish Date 3 October 2011 (first published 1 January 2010)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Format Paperback (US Trade)
- Pages 352
- Language English
Reviews
This book is not for me.
Standard YA dystopian/apocalyptic series.
Nothing really stood out for me.
nannah
Written on Mar 6, 2014
Heavy sigh.
The beginning was so well imagined and tight that I'm sure it's part of the reason why I wasn't as fond of the rest of the book. Things seemed to lose focus once Nita and Nailer left the beach. I'm not sure what exactly was going on. Things started just happening to the characters, and they went along for the ride without carving their own paths. In the latter half of a book, this is so dang annoying. Most things were summarized, and Nita became an object rather than a character: "She's scavenge." Everyone was looking for her, everyone wanted her back. She became the treasure, the woman/prize at the end of the journey. It went from her relying on her own skills to deal with her captors to "save Princess Peach!" Okay, I'm being bitter.
Overall, this book was all right. I can't help but feel a little let down simply because of how promising the opening was.
Amber
Written on Dec 6, 2012
Full review here: http://www.booksofamber.com/2012/12/ship-breaker-by-paolo-bacigalupi.html
violetpeanut
Written on Jun 21, 2012
If I had to describe this book in one word it would be "bleak." The world that Nailer lives in is one where people, including adolescents, need to work to survive. Injury and death are ever-present in the lives of the population. Food is scarce and one gold ring is enough to make someone a millionaire by our standards. Beyond societal issues, Nailer must also deal with a deadbeat dad who beats him and is an drug addict and alcoholic psychopath.
Class issues are a point here. Nailer the ship breaker versus the "swanks" who sail the clippers and have no idea what it's like to live in a shack on the beach.
The author really does an amazing job of painting the picture here. I felt for Nailer. He is a character who's upbringing and class have defined him up until this point in his life and the author does a wonderful job of carrying it through in Nailer's thought process and actions throughout the book. But, this is also a story of redemption of a sort. How the choices we make ultimately define us, not what others think of us or how we were brought up.
There is no amazing happy ending here. Even when things turn out right there is always the shadow. What's going to happen now? Do the actions of the father carry on in the actions of the son? How to reconcile the action with the intent?
This really was a good book. I only rated it three stars because it wasn't personally my cup of tea. Much of it is set on ships and the ocean. Much of it is an adventure story. It was wel-written and the plot moved along nicely - it just wasn't a story that I enjoyed as much as others. As I said earlier, I think this would be immensely enjoyable to many people.
Also, if you're looking for a book to recommend to a teenaged boy this might be a good bet.
rakesandrogues
Written on Apr 9, 2011
Review Overview:
* Bacigalupi is a fantastic world-builder; stellar descriptions and imagery
* Felt disconnected from the main character because it was written in 3rd person POV
* Makes you think
Initially, I had problems getting into SHIP BREAKER. Paolo Bacigalupi is, without a doubt, a fantastic world-builder, but the lack of background info about this world made it confusing. It took me a while to understand all the ship terms and figure out exactly what Nailer and friends were doing. However, after a few chapters, I found myself completely immersed in the world Bacigalupi had created. Bacigalupi's descriptions were so vivid; I could definitely imagine all the cities of the past submerged in water. I can picture the landscape of what had become of the United States.
What prevented me from truly enjoying this book was the point of view that the novel was written in. Because it was written in third person, it was difficult to connect specifically with the main character, Nailer. I could certainly sympathize with Nailer, but I wasn't able to empathize with him. I probably thought, "That sucks," whenever Nailer got himself into another conundrum, but I really couldn't put myself in his position.
SHIP BREAKER does make you think, which I loved. It made me question how we were using our natural resources, what we our doing to our environment, and how the world will end up in the future. The world in SHIP BREAKER is definitely not unlikely which makes it much more effective as a dystopian novel.
According to GoodReads, there will be a sequel to SHIP BREAKER. I'm not entirely sold on reading it at the moment, but I may change my mind in the future. Unfortunately, SHIP BREAKER was not as great as I thought it would be, but it was still a decent read. I wouldn't go as far to say that it wasn't worthy of winning a Printz (what do I know about those awards??) but for me, it really does not stand out against all the other dystopian novels out in the market.