Book review of "Holes"

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Book review on Holes

A gripping, humorous and action-packed ‘Holes’ consists of three different little stories woven into one. The foremost plot is the enthralling friendship between Zero and Stanley whose pasts although they seem unlike, are in fact, interlocked. The book is packed full of adventure and frequent coincidences, which leave you wanting to read more and more.

‘Holes’ tells the story of Stanley Yelnats, an overweight, coy and especially unlucky boy. The bad luck goes back to when a curse was placed upon Stanley’s “no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather” by a fortune teller - Madam Zeroni. This is proven when Stanley is falsely accused of stealing a pair of baseball boots worn by Clive Livingston and Stanley soon sees himself sentenced to eighteen months in a “juvenile correction facility”- Camp Green Lake. Stanley, as well as the other boys in the camp, had to dig a “five-foot wide and five-foot deep” hole every day in the heat to “build character”. However, Stanley gradually begins to understand that it is not character that they are allegedly “building” but are looking for something- something which is very valuable; so Stanley begins his search “to dig up the truth”. So, by the end, Stanley transforms from a lonely outcast who gets bullied by “someone half his size” to a strong, resolute and confident young man.

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The simplistic style appeals to all ages, young and old.  But, the book contains some darker elements, too. Such as: poisonous lizards, criminal behaviour, severe punishment and prejudice.  This could prove a little confusing and cynic for a younger audience. The weaving stories within the novel may also require a more advanced audience as well. But, intelligent readers, who would obviously be interested in reading the book, will have no problem though. ‘Holes’ is very suspenseful too. This is demonstrated when Stanley is told rattlesnakes wont bother him “usually”, you wont die “usually” but if you get bitten by a yellow-spotted ...

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