The Returning in Mock Printz 2026

May 12, 2011 Crowinator rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011-reads, genre-fantasy, ya, genre-historical, queer

This is one of those books that is deceptively simple on the surface, but is actually quite complex when it comes time to describe or classify it. I put it on the "historical" and "fantasy" shelf, though it doesn't really fit on either of those shelves. It doesn't fit on any of my genre shelves, actually, and it reminds me quite strongly of Meg Rosoff's How I Live Now in many ways; not in its language, of course, but in its themes of war, loss, and family, as well as its timelessness. Rosoff's b ...more

10 likes · Like · see review

Mar 12, 2012 Christina Getrost rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, historical-fiction

I put this in both "fantasy" and "historical" because to me it's both--sure, the village of Kayforl and the countryside of the Uplanders and Downlanders doesn't really exist, so it's fantasy, but, the technology level is medieval and a lot of the situations and cultural aspects are somewhat historical; they evoke the Middle Ages of Europe. This is a book of interconnected storylines, telling the growing-up tales of several kids and teens in the village as they deal with love and loss and war. Ca ...more

Like · see review

Aug 14, 2012 Terri rated it liked it · review of another edition

In "The Returning" by Christine Hinwood, young Cam Attling returns from the war between the Uplanders and the Dowlanders changed in significant physical and emotional ways. He is the only male member of his community to return from this war, a war which has wrought changes in all of them. While the theme of post war trauma has contemporary significance in many parts of the world, "The Returning" is set in an indeterminate time and place. This makes it difficult to place neatly into a genre - fan In "The Returning" by Christine Hinwood, young Cam Attling returns from the war between the Uplanders and the Dowlanders changed in significant physical and emotional ways. He is the only male member of his community to return from this war, a war which has wrought changes in all of them. While the theme of post war trauma has contemporary significance in many parts of the world, "The Returning" is set in an indeterminate time and place. This makes it difficult to place neatly into a genre - fantasy, perhaps, with no magic?

Winner of the 2012 Printz Honor, this is a "smart" and "literary" book - and, typical of most Printz winners, does not have wide appeal as a result. The title, the cover (including over the top quotes from respected young adult authors), the concept, and the themes might draw in potential readers, but the book itself will be difficult for many young adult readers to complete. The language, the dialogue, the slow world building and character development, the abrupt transitions, and the many unanswered questions really call for smart, patient readers (the maps and list of characters were a necessity). I found myself having to continuously reread passages, and even then I am not sure that I always fully grasped exactly what was meant. In addition, the sudden appearance of some rather graphic sex scenes towards the end limits the audience for the book. Finally, I found the ending unsatisfactory in that there were many unanswered questions at the abrupt ending of the story. Does Cam return to his home? What happens to the gay character, Ban? Is there, perhaps, a follow-up book in the works in which all of these loose strings will come together?

Because Hinwood is Australian, I started thinking about similar reactions I had had to "Jellicoe Road" by Melina Marchetta, also an Australian writer, which got me thinking about the role which culture plays in our thinking, our stories, and how we communicate them. For me, it was so difficult to invest emotionally in the works by both authors, though the themes of each were definitely universal. Neither story was vividly told from my perspective. I think this is about language and how that language is used to tell a story, as well as the fact that I don't have the experience and back matter needed to fully appreciate the book. But how is it that some authors manage to transcend those cultural barriers in a way that allows most readers to appreciate and invest in their work? Definitely food for thought...

This is definitely not a book for everyone...And I, once again, find myself questioning the decisions made by the Printz committe - "Where Things Come Back" was also a puzzling choice in my humble opinion.

...more

Like · see review

Jan 23, 2012 elissa rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: my_10s_reads, fantasy, youngadult

The only Printz Honor book that I hadn't heard a word about before the YMA announcement in Jan. Hard to decide between 3 & 4 stars on this one. I liked the characters and setting a lot, but I was never completely absorbed by this, and it took me a long time to read it. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

May 15, 2011 Mary rated it really liked it · review of another edition

What happens after a war to a mythical medieval land when the soldiers come home and everyone must adjust to a new lord. After six years of fighting, the war between the Uplanders and the Downlanders is over. How will everyone adjust to their new lives and aliiances.
I believe Graceling fans will relate to this book since it centers on a strong female character, Graceful, and an interesting male character, Cam Attling. At first it was tough going trying to figure out the characters since the act ...more

Like · see review

Jan 31, 2012 Jan rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: teenbooks, fantasy, printz-winner

Hinwood has created a fascinating world in this fantasy that won a Printz Honor.

From Amazon... "Cam Attling, having lost an arm, is the only one from his town of Kayforl to return after twelve years of war. All his fellow soldiers were slain, and suspicion surrounds him. When his betrothal to Graceful Fenister is called off and his role in the community questioned, Cam leaves to find the Uplander lord who maimed him but spared his life, seeking answers and a new place in the world.

But this is n ...more

Like · see review

Mar 05, 2012 Debrarian rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-aka-teen, book-group-selection, fantasy, discussable

The alternate reality here was amazingly thorough, alien and textured. The many viewpoints weave together beautifully, although in some ways they do keep the reader at a remove. The story is measured, emotionally complex, and absorbing in its portrayal of the complicated emotions and the slow healing happening in a divided land following a war. I probably would have given this 5 stars if it were not for the fact that a major, intriguing character (and story arc) was mysteriously abandoned.

Like · see review

Jun 01, 2011 Ellen rated it it was ok · review of another edition

I understand and applaud the concept - intersecting lives in the aftermath of war, but I was never able to warm up to any of the characters. Beautiful cover though.

1 like · Like · see review