fashion_piranha ([info]fashion_piranha) wrote,
2008-08-16 13:33:00
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When We Were Romans by Matthew Kneale

When We Were Romans
By Matthew Kneale
 
            Lawrence is just your typical nine-year-old with a fondness for astronomy when his world is suddenly flipped upside-down. His mother, convinced that Lawrence’s father is stalking herself and their two children, bunkers down in her house and avoids the outside world. When even this doesn’t seem enough, she uproots Lawrence and his little sister Jemima from their home in England and takes them to Rome, the city she met her husband in while still a girl in college. In Italy they’ll start over, she thinks, and begin a new life free from worry and fear.
            At first things seem to be going well. Many of her old friends are still in Rome and greet her warmly, even inviting the little family into their homes. She finds a job and the children start taking Italian lessons. Lawrence learns about Roman emperors and whenever there is time, they go sightseeing. Soon, they’re even able to move into a little flat of their own. Unfortunately, the troubles that drove them out of England follow them to Rome and son they are in hiding once more. 
 
            Did you like Mark Haddon’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time? If so, you may enjoy this book. Both stories are told through the eyes of a child, involve a bit of a mystery, and tend to info-dump on the narrator’s favorite topics. Matthew Kneale and Mark Haddon both utilized the child’s voice, a stream-of-conscious, unpolished narrative. I did not care for Curious Incident, but I could appreciate that the book itself was solid, just not to my taste. When We Were Romans, however, is no Curious Incident, so no such allowances on my part can be made.
            I think the main problem is that Lawrence’s story lacks certain grounding in reality. That is, this child doesn’t sound authentic.    Kneale tries to copy the spelling style and grammar errors of a nine-year-old, but he overdoes it. Third graders, inexperienced as they are with writing, don’t spell the same word three different ways in a single paragraph, especially not with the frequency Laurence does. In fact, it doesn’t seem like he can spell any large or “difficult” word consistently. Once or twice this device might be effective and quaint – grossly misspelling the Italian Lawrence overhears was quite cute – but as a constant factor it’s distracting and annoying. Lawrence also never tells us why he’s writing it all this down. It’s written in the past tense, so it isn’t a diary. But the way the writing’s done, he can’t be much older than he was when the events take place.   So what was the trigger?
            Children are often self-centered so some selfishness can be forgiven, and a certain obliviousness to the rest of the world allowed, but Lawrence is a brat. His mother seems to be raising her children with the “be-good-and-I’ll-buy-you-a-treat” school of parenting, so I suppose he can’t be blamed completely. We only meet the adults superficially, and Lawrence does little to reveal their character in his memoirs, since adults aren’t important to him unless they provide him with food or gifts. As a result there’s a void of interesting people, and this added to the appalling spelling and run-on paragraphs put the story on rocky ground. With a superior plot we could overlook these problems as part of a flawed narrator experience, but the plot is so predictable that you’ll guess the “big twist” by the time you’re halfway through.  
 
            I really can’t think of anyone to whom I’d recommend this book. No matter how you look at it When We Were Romans just doesn’t stand out. There are better books about living in Italy, better books told by a child confronted by a mystery, and better books with unusual narration styles.
 
 
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Tags: **1/2, 2008, 21st century, england, insanity, italy, matthew kneale, r2008, rome, scotland

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[info]thekoolaidmom.wordpress.com

August 16 2008, 21:55:37 UTC 3 years ago

Seriously, I defend the spelling issue because I know for a fact, having a 9 year old whom I help with her writing and coming from a spelling-challenged family, that I accept Lawrence's varient spelling. I know I've done it and thought, "well at least I spelled it right once!" My spell checker always balks on a couple words I perpetually spell wrong (stupid words, too..)

I saw the book from a psychological point of view, and as a mother who's been a Hannah (okay, not a total paranoid schitzo, but crazy enough to have made my older two a bit insecure), and that aspect fascinated me. The effect of the mother's insane, self-centered actions on her children (particularly Lawrence, who's old enough to see it).

[info]juushika

August 16 2008, 22:08:35 UTC 3 years ago

It's wonderful to see your book reviews on my flist—not just because it gives me more books to add to my TBR list (like here: I won't be checking out When We Were Romans, it just doesn't sound like my kind of book and the negative recommendation is convincing), but because you pick up quite a few books that I wouldn't discover on my own. That includes When We Were Romans—I like young adult fiction and some child narrators, but I rarely read family dramas from a child's POV and I would definitely avoid "authentic" child's writing/spelling. It's interesting to see an alternate taste in reading, and it may inspire some TBR additions I'd not find any other way.

[info]k00kaburra

August 16 2008, 22:14:13 UTC 3 years ago

Heh, wait 'til I get to a book called Tan Lines. It's supposed to by "thriller beach read," and I know that isn't normally my thing, but I thought I'd give it a chance. Bad idea. It was the most vile trash I've touched in years.

[info]charismitaine

August 16 2008, 22:12:29 UTC 3 years ago

Hmm, the premise is interesting enough that I might pick it up in the library to skim a chapter.

[info]innoittaa

August 20 2008, 17:00:42 UTC 3 years ago

I love your icon! Stephenie Meyer is the bane of my existence, having chosen to read all of them and coming to the end with the urge to bludgeon her with hardcover copies of her own books...

[info]charismitaine

3 years ago

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[info]semi_hitokiri

August 16 2008, 22:57:24 UTC 3 years ago

I don't think I'm one of the people that can stand misspellings or annoying characters (i.e. Lawrence) but it seems like an interesting read if not for the international settings. And I particularly love mysteries. Although your entry made me want to read Curious Incident more first before this book.

[info]moiread

August 16 2008, 23:00:38 UTC 3 years ago

Book aside: That icon is terrifying and wonderful.

[info]fashion_piranha

August 17 2008, 16:59:52 UTC 3 years ago

Isn't it great? I think it's from a Tower or a Virgin Records ad.

Anonymous

August 16 2008, 23:21:31 UTC 3 years ago

In My Pile

I have this in my ARC pile. I guess there's no need to get to it immediately. :)

Jessica @ The Bluestocking Society
http://thebluestockings.com

[info]fashion_piranha

August 17 2008, 16:09:33 UTC 3 years ago

Re: In My Pile

Heh, I wouldn't. :)

[info]bookishruth.com

August 17 2008, 00:19:24 UTC 3 years ago

I think this is the first negative review I've seen for this book. I appreciate that, and it actually makes me more eager to read this one so I can form my own opinion. I haven't read The Curious Incident yet, but I just finished a similar book called The London Eye Mystery. (It won't be getting a glowing review from me, unfortunately.) Seriously, this line: "Both stories are told through the eyes of a child, involve a bit of a mystery, and tend to info-dump on the narrator’s favorite topics." could describe The London Eye Mystery as well as When We Were Romans and The Curious Incident.

[info]velvetcure

August 17 2008, 01:15:58 UTC 3 years ago

this review intrigues me. the first paragraph makes me want to read it, but then it sounds so frustrating with the spelling and the main character. i'm not sure if i would feel any more sympathetic toward lawrence because i work in child care. i tend to view normal/obnoxious things children do from a physiological point of view. i might be able to forgive his attitudes because of my job experience. either way, i love reading your reviews because you don't review only the books you really enjoy. it's a good blend.

[info]fashion_piranha

August 17 2008, 16:53:53 UTC 3 years ago

Since you work in child care it might make all the difference. I like kids' books but generally I don't like children.

[info]the_kestral

August 17 2008, 01:38:43 UTC 3 years ago

considering how many books you are adding to my must read list I think I will take your review as the recommendation to not add this to the list, many more books out there that can take the slot it would have filled.

Anonymous

August 17 2008, 06:37:23 UTC 3 years ago

picador for publisher? i would have thought they would be more discerning in their authors/contents, actually. i think i get your point about not wanting to see more of the curious incident kind of voice, particularly when it is not done with the sophistication of curious incident. btw, is there in lawrence, as there was with the protagonist of curious incident, a kind of special talent or handicap, something that sets him out from other children his age?

btw, the cover you have, and the cover apparently being sold with the book in the UK, are very different, and i like this one so much more.

olidhar@yahoo.com
www.arcche.blogspot.com

Anonymous

August 17 2008, 06:39:11 UTC 3 years ago

but i would like to check it out all the same, thanks.

[info]fashion_piranha

3 years ago

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[info]fashion_piranha

3 years ago

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[info]inbedwithbooks.blogspot.com

August 17 2008, 07:09:14 UTC 3 years ago

I enjoyed Curious Incident and like stream-of-conciousness, but this doens't seem like my thing. I can't deal with misspellings, particularly if they aren't standard.

[info]ennaef

August 17 2008, 07:37:01 UTC 3 years ago

The premise sounded promising-- ROME! Rome is beautiful! But with your comments I don't think I'll be reading this one :)

[info]notebookcafe

August 17 2008, 11:50:31 UTC 3 years ago

In my opinion, intentional misspellings are only excusable in Daniel Keyes' Flowers for Algernon, and annoying in every other book.

[info]fashion_piranha

August 17 2008, 16:58:31 UTC 3 years ago

Man, that was SUCH a good book. It had me bawling!

[info]ellahahaziah

August 17 2008, 14:17:48 UTC 3 years ago

Nice icon~ :D

[info]cahra

August 17 2008, 17:26:49 UTC 3 years ago

I'd heard of this book, but I'd never seen a summary or anything much about it. It definitely sounds like one to avoid.

[info]clayshobbitlass

August 17 2008, 19:57:27 UTC 3 years ago

Well, it certainly starts off with an interesting premise but after reading your review, I don't think rush to pick it up.

Do you know any books about living in Italy that are particularly good?

[info]fashion_piranha

August 17 2008, 21:20:05 UTC 3 years ago

Nothing stands out in my memory, unfotunately. The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt was OK, if you're curious about Venice.

[info]dazyndara

3 years ago

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[info]leatherdykeuk

August 18 2008, 09:00:13 UTC 3 years ago

Thanks for the review. I liked 'Curious Incident' but I'll give this one a miss.

[info]dazyndara

August 18 2008, 12:19:05 UTC 3 years ago

Hmmm, thanks for the review, might be one to miss for me.

Anonymous

August 18 2008, 13:36:09 UTC 3 years ago

looks like this is a good book as well i would be adding this on my wishlist. i wanted to join the gaiman giveaway as well.

[info]penmage

August 18 2008, 16:55:03 UTC 3 years ago

It's too bad you didn't like it (with valid reasons)--otherwise, this book is intriguing enough to be right up my alley. Thanks for the intelligent review.

[info]fashion_piranha

August 19 2008, 17:44:15 UTC 3 years ago

I'm apparently in a tiny minority, judging from reviews on other sites, so if it sounds intriguing give it a go and hopefully you'll enjoy it more than I did.

[info]xliliax

August 18 2008, 19:22:21 UTC 3 years ago

I love to have this journal on my flist. It's nice to have some new books for the list, andto have a different perspective of those that are already in. :)
About the book, It looked like a promising one, since I love Italy, and probably would read anything with Italy on it, but I'm no fan of children perspectives.
I have a third-grade brother that does spell a word differently in a single paragraph, but then again, he's an ESL student, so I don't think it's the same thing...
Thanks!

[info]joonscribble

August 18 2008, 20:40:26 UTC 3 years ago

Thank you for this book review!

I was thinking of checking it out due to Italy angle, but perhaps I'll save my time and money for something else.

[info]warwolves

August 19 2008, 05:21:07 UTC 3 years ago

to be honest, i've never been a big fan of child POVs. they're just so easy to slip up in, and if the author does, it just sounds tacky and forced.

[info]legendaryneo

August 20 2008, 06:09:41 UTC 3 years ago

Sounds like a pretty average sounding book.

[info]innoittaa

August 20 2008, 16:58:47 UTC 3 years ago

It's rather strange, the day I noticed this review was the very day I noticed the cover of this book at work (ah, the joys of working at a book store), and I had absolutely no idea it was fiction like Curious Incident. I enjoyed Curious Incident to some extent, though I doubt I'd be reading it over again.


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