Review: Paws in the Piazza - Jerilyn McIntyre

A copy of was provided by the author
in exchange for
an honest review

Paws in the Piazza by Jerilyn McIntyre
Genre: Middle Grade, animal fiction
Published on December 11, 2013
Published by Bristlecone Books
Pages: 96
Read From: 8.20.14 - 8.20.14














SYNOPSIS

"Back home, I was content to be just an ordinary house cat. I didn't get out much. But it's different here in Venice." 

How different? Harley quickly finds out after his family arrives in Italy. 

He takes up with a group of local cats who roam wild in the alleys and neighborhoods of Venice, and meets the mysterious Angela, a beautiful white Angora who steals his heart. Then he becomes embroiled in a fierce and ongoing war between his friends and a rival band of cats, and discovers the magical order that underlies life in the enchanting and historic city that is his new home.

Review

Cover Blurb: Yes or No? I do like the cover art. It's very simplistic, but pleasing and whimsical.

Characters: For such a short book - not even 100 pages - I got attached to some of the cats relatively quickly and deeply. Harley was a decent protagonist, who wasn't looking for trouble or to fulfill any great destiny. But he accepts his role in the history of the Venetian cats and does what needs to be done. Then there's Harley's friends Scruffy, Fatty, and the others - all very likable. We don't really get to know Angela all that well, sadly.

The Romance: Oh yes, the attraction between Harley and Angela is very quick indeed. But this is only a 93-page book. So I didn't mind it.

Plot: Harley's family has moved to Venice while Harley's owner attends school there. Before now, Harley was content to be an average housecat, but the magic of Venice is starting to do its work on him. And then Harley meets Angela - a gorgeous Angora who seems to be frightened of Harley every time they meet. There's more to Angela than Harley's new cat friends are saying, and Harley is determined to find out what. As he digs deeper into Venice history, he learns of the unique history cats have played in Venetian culture - and how that role has not died even today. Paws in the Piazza is a quick, fun, and cute little story filled with classic Venetian magic and mystery. I enjoyed following Harley along his adventures, as he learned about the Venetian cat society, the important role doge cats have played, and the magic of Venice unfolded - from a giant winged lion to a strange man who seems to disappear into thin air. There's not a dull moment.

Believability: Not applicable.

Writing Style: First person, present tense. The style was, at times, a little stilted and had lots of choppy sentences. But overall, it wasn't bad. Harley's narration voice worked very well for story - including the present tense. And the Author captured Venice through the eyes of a cat very well.

Content: None.

Conclusion: It's perhaps a little anticlimactic, but I did love how it had an open ending. Harley's life is now full and possibilities and magic; who knows what will happen next! Paws in the Piazza was a nice break from the longer novels I've been reading lately. It was a nice dose of Venetian magic towards the end of summer, a reminder of what it's like to be a kid reading stories like this. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Recommended Audience: Girl-and-boy read, seven-and-up, fans of animal fiction stories.

The Giver

Books to Movies is a feature where I review movies based off books! These reviews are for people who have read the book, so spoilers are definitely within.

Rated: PG-13

Is it worth watching?

Yes, but probably not in theaters; wait until it's out in the Redbox or Netflix. It's a pretty slow movie with a plot that isn't necessarily massively interesting for people who have never read the book. It's a movie that can easily be enjoyed on a smaller screen.

Is it clean?

Yes. Aside from some violence, there isn't anything graphic and no profanity.

How is the cast?

They did an excellent job with the cast. For someone who has never read the book, the acting may seem very flat. But as I have read the book, I appreciated the actors' being able to portray the characters' lack of emotion and almost childlike innocence. Yes, they upped the ages of the main characters: Jonas, Fiona, Asher. Surprisingly, I was all right with it. Brenton Thwaites was a very good Jonas, and I liked how we actually got to know Fiona and Asher a lot more in the movie. I wasn't sure how I was going to like Jeff Bridges as The Giver, but he actually worked quite well. And Meryl Streep was, of course, excellent in her role as well.

Did the story stay close to the book?

In spirit, it did. There was still the same message, the same themes were explored. In terms of the actual events, the movie was very different. And dare I say it - the movie was better. I really like the book The Giver, but my main complaint with it is that it doesn't really go anywhere and it ends extremely abruptly. The concept is awesome, there's the beginnings of really good characters, but. . . .it just kind of. . . .doesn't go. . . .anywhere. The movie had a more definite plot, more sinister goings on - while still maintaining the important things that happened in the book that create the storyline.

Did they even get the little things right?

They also changed the little things. Fiona doesn't work with the old people; she becomes a Nurturer. They, in fact, totally leave out the old folks' home, but it's briefly mentioned. Asher is assigned the position of pilot rather than being put in charge of recreation. This gives his character a much bigger role in the overall story, and I liked it. Jonas's defining difference that marks him as The Receiver isn't the color of his eyes; it's a small birthmark on his wrist. I understood this change; it's a little harder to show eye color in a black-and-white movie than in a book. The movie also didn't explore some of the other concepts of the Community that the book did. Movies rarely do, and it was those parts that I liked better in the book than the movie.

But the ending is good, right?

The ending is much more exciting and a lot less abrupt. The Community Elders put forth much more of an effort in trying to capture Jonas and Gabriel - and then doing away with him. Fiona gets involved in Jonas's escape, which in turn makes her a traitor to the Elders and they deal with her accordingly. But we also get to see the effect of the Community getting back their memories and emotions in the end.

So if I absolutely adore the book, will I like the movie?

It depends. If you really like the book, like me, but acknowledge its flaws, you'll like the movie a whole lot more than the book. The things they add make the plot much more interesting. If, however, you looooove the book and don't want to ever see it changed - even if it's for the better - you won't like the movie at all. Because it is different. I liked the differences, but I also didn't grow up with this book.