Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life
Wendy Mass
Little, Brown Young Readers (February 1, 2008)
SPOILER ALERT: The following review contains plot points that you may not want to know about before reading the book.
In short: A funny, offbeat mystery and coming-of-age novel, with excellent open-ended questions that provide fodder for discussions on worldview, the meaning of life and friendship.
As implied by the title this is a book filled with philosophical ideas handled in a humorous way.
“I had never considered the meaning of life before. Why hadn’t I considered it? What is wrong with me? Has everyone else thought about this except for me?”
Two months before his 13th birthday Jeremy Fink, receives a mysterious box engraved with the phrase, “The Meaning of Life: For Jeremy Fink to Open on His 13th Birthday.” Jeremy and his best friend, Lizzie, then begin a journey of discovery to find the keys to the box and, ostensibly, to life.
“Do you ever think about the meaning of life? Like, do you think you know what it is?” She shakes her head, “I try not to think about anything too deeply. It hurts my brain.” With that, she turns to the window and stares out at the rain again.”
This is a personal search as well as a philosophical one. Along the way he not only confronts different worldviews but also begins to understand his father, who died when Jeremy was eight. Jeremy and Lizzie travel across the city visiting flea markets, museums, and many offbeat, and interesting characters.
“Do we really get reincarnated like Rick said? Are Heaven and Hell real….I bet the meaning of death is tied to the meaning of life. This is something I really should have considered sooner. “
“But was it fate that brought us to this spot, or just good luck? What about fate and bad luck?”
“God’s love gives life meaning. I just follow the paths He sets out in the Good Book. That’s all I need to know. You follow His guidelines, it’s almost like a map through life to Heaven.”
Objections here are minor, but do include condoning of stealing and disrespect for parents. My major objection would not be an objection to the novel itself, but rather to anyone who lets a maturing middle schooler read this novel in isolation as no mention is made of the true meaning of life – in fact, “…the Way, the Truth, and the Life” – Jesus.
This is a work that begs for discussion and parental insight on the big metaphysical questions: Why are we here? What is our purpose? Were we created? Lizzie and Jeremy encounter every worldview, and big idea, imaginable, including the occult, evolution, liberal Christianity, and dualism, with no real answer at the end except that “truth” is relative. Rather than letting those who read this stumble through these various ideas themselves, separating truth from falsehood on their own, a wise guide is required.
Wendy Mass
Little, Brown Young Readers (February 1, 2008)
SPOILER ALERT: The following review contains plot points that you may not want to know about before reading the book.
In short: A funny, offbeat mystery and coming-of-age novel, with excellent open-ended questions that provide fodder for discussions on worldview, the meaning of life and friendship.
As implied by the title this is a book filled with philosophical ideas handled in a humorous way.
“I had never considered the meaning of life before. Why hadn’t I considered it? What is wrong with me? Has everyone else thought about this except for me?”
Two months before his 13th birthday Jeremy Fink, receives a mysterious box engraved with the phrase, “The Meaning of Life: For Jeremy Fink to Open on His 13th Birthday.” Jeremy and his best friend, Lizzie, then begin a journey of discovery to find the keys to the box and, ostensibly, to life.
“Do you ever think about the meaning of life? Like, do you think you know what it is?” She shakes her head, “I try not to think about anything too deeply. It hurts my brain.” With that, she turns to the window and stares out at the rain again.”
This is a personal search as well as a philosophical one. Along the way he not only confronts different worldviews but also begins to understand his father, who died when Jeremy was eight. Jeremy and Lizzie travel across the city visiting flea markets, museums, and many offbeat, and interesting characters.
“Do we really get reincarnated like Rick said? Are Heaven and Hell real….I bet the meaning of death is tied to the meaning of life. This is something I really should have considered sooner. “
“But was it fate that brought us to this spot, or just good luck? What about fate and bad luck?”
“God’s love gives life meaning. I just follow the paths He sets out in the Good Book. That’s all I need to know. You follow His guidelines, it’s almost like a map through life to Heaven.”
Objections here are minor, but do include condoning of stealing and disrespect for parents. My major objection would not be an objection to the novel itself, but rather to anyone who lets a maturing middle schooler read this novel in isolation as no mention is made of the true meaning of life – in fact, “…the Way, the Truth, and the Life” – Jesus.
This is a work that begs for discussion and parental insight on the big metaphysical questions: Why are we here? What is our purpose? Were we created? Lizzie and Jeremy encounter every worldview, and big idea, imaginable, including the occult, evolution, liberal Christianity, and dualism, with no real answer at the end except that “truth” is relative. Rather than letting those who read this stumble through these various ideas themselves, separating truth from falsehood on their own, a wise guide is required.
.jpg)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment