Friday, January 26, 2007

Book Review: The New Policeman


The New Policeman

by Kate Thompson

Something is happening in the world: somehow there's never enough time anymore. It never used to be this way, did it? J.J. Liddy sets out to find out where all the time is going; he's determined to find more time for his mother for her birthday. But J. J. finds more than he bargained for, as his quest for time intersects with his love of music, his family's past, and the land of Tir na n'Og.

The New Policeman is a delightful treat and just plain fun to read. Magic, music, and surprises ooze from every page. It's hard to describe this book; it's unlike any other that I've read. What can you say about a book that has a page of music at the end of every chapter? (I've read books with music before, but none that integrated music with the story to this extent). It made me wish that the book came with a CD of the music so that I could hear what it sounds like. The writing is light and humorous and full of witty social observations. And it's fun to watch the different story threads come together. In that respect it reminded me of Holes: there's that "aha" moment when you see how it's all going to come together.

10 comments:

Erin said...

I have been wanting to read this for so long!

Liz B said...

I loved, loved, loved this book.

While the publisher doesn't plan to have a special website/page for the book & music, check out the author site for some of the music --
and the author reading a bit of the book.

Michele said...

Hmm, this sounds interesting. I've seen it on the library shelves - think I'll take it off next time I see it !

Unknown said...

Thanks for the tip, Liz. I'll check it out!

Michele and Erin, I hope you enjoy it! It's a fun book and a quick read.

Erin said...

I see you're reading Flora Segunda atm. I just finished it and--

Ah, but I'll let you form your own opinion first! Let me know what you think of it. :)

Unknown said...

Ok, now you have me curious, Erin. LOL!

Erin said...

Whoa, check this out. In the UK The Last Dragon is being called The Last Elf!

Unknown said...

Interesting. I can't say that I'm wild about the UK cover, though. I like ours better. Also, don't you think it's funny that to enter the contest they want you to say what color the cap is, but the cap on the cover doesn't look yellow? It looks more white to me.

Michele said...

Fair's fair - the US cover for Peter Pan in Scarlet isn't half as eye-catching as the British cover, is it Erin ?

Erin said...

I agree with you both: I dislike the UK Last Elf cover, but I love the UK Peter Pan in Scarlet cover. Different designers with different opinions, I guess...