Review: Masterful Storytelling
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 4, 2012
I'm a bit on the fence about this book. While the work of a master is evident in Charyn's telling of Jack's story, it doesn't seem to be the right fit for the current YA market. The themes of the horrors of war, a boy's search for a male role model, and being bullied are definitely topics today's young people can relate to, but I don't see Jack's desire to join the Army and go back to Bataan with MacArthur as being easily understood or accepted by this age group. I'm not certain this story will fully strike a chord with them.One of the things I think is interesting to note is that the characters on the new cover seem to be in their late teens, but Jack is only eleven in the story. It appears the idea was to attract an older audience, but I'm not certain that will happen because the main characters are so young; and some of the themes running through Back to Bataan are probably too obscure for younger readers. As a lover of historical fiction,I enjoyed the story. I'm just not sure how much of a hit it will be with its target market.That said, you won't find a more masterful storyteller than Jerome Charyn. His work is amazing. It digs deep into the heart and delivers meaningful stories that examine life with all its joys and sorrows.