Title: On the Wings of Heroes
Author: Richard Peck
Narrator: Lincoln Hopp
Publisher: Random House Audiobooks
Duration: 3 hours, 13 minutes
Copyright: 2007
Genres: period, world war 2, juvenile
Filed in: Audiobook reviews
Review copy provided by Kearney Public Library.
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: World War II has invaded Davy Bowman's home-front boyhood. There's an air raid drill in the classroom, and being a kid is an endless scrap drive. His brother, Bill, has joined up, breaking their dad's heart. It's an intense, confusing time, and one that will invite Davy to grow up in a hurry.
Still, Richard Peck is a master of comedy, and even in this novel of wartime uncertainty, he infuses his tale with humor: oddballs and rascals and boyhood misadventures alongside the poignant moments. This is one of Richard Peck's very finest novels - a tender, unforgettable portrait of the World War II home front and a family's love.
©2007 Richard Peck; (P)2007 Random House Inc.
MY TAKE ON IT: “On The Wings Of Heroes” wasn’t a bad book, but I didn’t think it was all that. The audiobook didn’t have much of a plot, but I did enjoy Richard Peck’s sketches of stateside life during World War II. The story is told from the perspective of a pre-teen boy whose older brother has gone to the war in Europe. “On The Wings Of Heroes” isn’t really about the war, though. Instead it covers things like scrap drives, air-raid drills, food and gas rations, and blackouts. The adventures of the main character and his best friend are pretty tame when compared to the likes of Tom Sawyer, or Huck Finn, but Peck’s writing did make me smile at times. Richard Peck also tried to draw an emotional response from the reader through the experiences of the older brother, who was missing in action for a while after his plane went down somewhere in France, but Peck didn’t develop the character enough for me to feel anything for him. Overall, “On The Wings Of Heroes” felt like it might be more appropriate for younger readers, although I don’t know if the author intended it that way.
NARRATOR: Lincoln Hopp did a fair job in the narration of “On The Wings Of Heroes.” He used some different voices that weren’t too bad. I think it might have been his slightly slower pace, and enunciation that made this feel more like a juvenile or teen audiobook.
FINAL WORD: “On The Wings Of Heroes” is a period piece, similar to Mark Twain’s work, only not written so well. If you want to know what life was like here in the States during the war, this audiobook will satisfy you.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain (Audiobook Review)
Summer Of Night by Dan Simmons (Audiobook Review)
House Of Dark Shadows by Robert Liparulo (Audiobook Review)
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If you liked this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get "On The Wings Of Heroes" by Richard Peck (Unabridged Audiobook) from Amazon.com.
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
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So, maybe these books aren't as exciting because they are juvenile? Maybe in an adult book it would be better? It sure sounds like an interesting premise, but maybe the writer was targeting kids and not thinking of adults when he wrote it.
ReplyDeleteUnlike J.K. Rowling who made sure her books spanned ages and generations of people! :)
Good honest review!