Wonder

Wonder by R.J Palacio is a well-written and sincere book that is ahead of its time. It tells the story of an ‘ordinary’ boy: August Pullman, who believes that the world would judge him differently due to his looks. That simple truth alongside his surprisingly direct, funny and self-awareness gave more depth to the story and completely captured my interest. That said, I totally enjoyed the fact that this book felt human and was not written as a lesson for readers. August feels like a child around his parents and a sister (Via) that love him but equally have personal complications to deal with. Besides, the school setting showed how children can be thoughtful, cruel, brave, shallow, awkward and kind simultaneously. Julian, in particular, had a frustrating persona; but Summer and Jack Will won my heart because their friendship with Auggie was messy yet real.

What makes this book unique for me is that it is told from different narrative points. At first, I thought that the whole focus would be on Auggie alone, but I ended up listening to and appreciating other voices. Via’s chapters were specifically significant, highlighting what it sometimes feels like to be neglected even when you love someone deeply. Justin and Miranda also broadened the story’s emotional scope and added more juice to the plot. This book would have been bland without these diverse perspectives. But with the complex narrative voice, the book shows how one person’s strength and struggles affect others around them.

Still, I had a few concerns including that some parts of the book felt neatly wrapped, especially towards the book’s end where things work in a way that felt more hopeful than realistic. As much as I don’t mind that because I loved the book, some readers love cliffhangers and may not see this as the best way to end a book. Besides, I also think that Auggie’s voice is younger than that of other narrators. Lastly, some of the book’s lessons are quick to tell and people who prefer subtle themes may not enjoy this part.

Nonetheless, my rating is 3 out of 5 stars. It is a kind, funny, emotional and though it deals with bullying, it also examines what it feels like for people to misjudge you before they even understand you. Beyond that, the book shows that small acts of kindness matter. I learnt a lot about Auggie too, and I believe this book is best for teaching children how to be better and fit in the society. It is an easy read; hence, I got a copy for my son.