Mourlevat, Jean-Claude, 1999. THE PULL OF THE OCEAN. New York: Delacorte Press. ISBN 0385733488
2. Plot Summary
Has his six older brothers are going to sleep that night the youngest hears his parents arguing. His curiosity gets the better of him and he slips downstairs to hear what they are talking about. He returns upstairs to tell his brothers that their Dad is planning on killing them in the morning. The twins cannot believe it. That night they all sneak out and begin a journey to the ocean. The youngest brother Yann is the leader and the others follow his directions to escape their death.
3. Critical Analysis
The author tells the story through the eyes of the different characters in the book. The twins take turns talking and telling the reader their journey to the ocean. But also included in the story is the perspectives of the parents and the people they meet along the way. The many different views being told of the store shows what people that would be from a different culture or have been raised differently are thinking and feeling in the story. They can be compared to what the boys are thinking. The truck driver is the first person that helps the boys on their travels. "...I said loudly "Good luck kiddos and tried to think about something else" (37). The author brings more emotion into the story by including the many characters different perspectives has they meet the group of boys through their journey. The reader gains more insight into the story and understand what everyone is thinking and feeling. Has each persons recollection of the events progress the mystery of the story unfolds. The reader is intrigued to see what is going to happen to the brothers. Will they make it to the ocean or will the parents catch them?
4. Review Excerpts
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: "Poverty and hardship echo throughout this modern "Tom Thumb" story, but it is ultimately the spirit of brotherhood that is the highlight of this tale. It is a memorable novel that readers will find engaging and intellectually satisfying."
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY remarks: "Indeed, Mourlevat enchantingly blends the harshly real and the make-believe, with the latter tipping the balance as this effectively haunting, fluidly translated tale comes to a close."
THE BATCHELDER AWARD NOVEL
5. Connections
*This is a great story that is comparable to the story TOM THUMB. It would be a great activity to have young adults read both the stories and compare them.
*A classroom of young adults could watch a movie or short television show. After watching the show they could each compose a short entry of what they saw and felt. After everyone's writing could be put together in a book to share with all of the other students. They could compare the differences of each others thoughts and events from the show.
*Tom Thumb Books:
Cloke, Rene. ADVENTURE OF TOM THUMB. ISBN 1841355453
Sullivan, George. TOM THUMB. ISBN 9780547182032
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