Winter: Stupid Bits and Clever Bits

It's about time I read some John Marsden, a widely acclaimed YA author. The only book still on the shelf today: Winter. I got off work 3 hours ago, and I just finished it. Short and satisfying. A bit simplistic and vague in bits (kind of like listening to a story being told with a few of the slower bits missing) but I quite enjoyed it. I am now eager to read some of his other titles that have one other awards such as Tomorrow When the War Began, which was chosen as an ALA Best Book of the last half-century.

This book is about an orphan who has been haunted by her past for the last twelve years. Set in rural Australia, she is mysteriously compelled to return to her childhood home at age sixteen. She is strong willed and hot tempered, however she still manages to make more friends than enemies and discovers a startling truth.

Excerpts:

Stupid bit: "Like with most Internet searches, I spent some time chasing shadows. I was scrolling through newspaper archives, concentrating on one date, July 9, 1989...I realized my best hope lay in the death notices, the little classified ads that people put in when someone dies." - Okay, sure all the archives of newspapers are freely available on the internet, including local papers dating back 12 years...uh huh. But CLASSIFIEDS as well? This librarian is incredulous!

Clever bit: A friend's father says to Winter, the protagonist: "Fantastic. When I was sixteen I modeled myself on my guinea pig. Hid in my pen and shut up. My God, you'll be running the country in another twelve months. Do you want a coffee? You probably live on rum and milk." I think this portrayal of her as a protagonist would appeal to any teen. Well, it appeals to me!

Anyways, I'm not sure if I can believe this character. Sixteen and ranching on her own in the middle of no where, taking singing lessons and auditioning for college fine arts classes. Gosh she's got it together for her age. I wish I had it that together. Last night I dropped my pants in the toilet. It wasn't my toilet either.