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ibestofthewestblog · 4 years

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The nightmare began this past Wednesday night, when OSAA announced that the remainder of the State Tournament games were to be played without an audience - in the midst of coaches, players, officials, and media members. Players and parents were shocked at the decision, as playing without the backdrop of fans seemed like cruel and unusual punishment. However, to their dismay, things took a turn for the worse. At Gill Coliseum Thursday morning, a consolation game was being played at 9 am and upon finishing, the University informed OSAA that because of the Pac-12’s decision to suspend spring sports, their facilities could no longer be used. This spread to the 4A and 6A tournaments, as they suspended all of play in the State, ending dreams of hopes of many high school players across the I-5.

Kieran Pruett, senior, was part of South Salem Saxon basketball, having transferred there along with a few others in hopes of something special. Teams outside of the greater Portland Metro Area are often overlooked and hardly make noise within the State tournament itself. However, this Saxons group was focused from day one and made it their mission to come into Chiles concentrated and ready to shock their world. Backed by their rowdy student section and supportive bench, South Salem rode their momentum to the Chiles Center, where they were scheduled to play powerhouse Lake Oswego. This was a group that was on a roller coaster ride from the start, as they fought valiantly everyone night, building an identity from scratch and their best basketball was to be played at Chiles Center. Their highly successful season included playing against nationally ranked Rancho Christian (CA), obtaining a 22-3 record in the process and only losing one game to an In-State team.

Truitt Reilly is a junior from Silverton High School, who had dismantled Ridgeview in the opening game of the 5A OSAA Tournament in a dominating 73-26 victory. Silverton came into the tournament ranked number one, standing at 21-2, in a pool of teams that included the likes of Wilsonville and La Salle, teams that showcase several collegiate talents. Silverton wasn’t simply a 5A team, they were a State powerhouse, as in January, they defeated South Medford, who was one of the favorites going into Chiles Center. The Foxes play basketball the right way, committing to excellence and each other through their defensive efforts and share the ball, trusting in one another, which has shown in their box scores this season. At Gill, they were supported by their student section, who came into the arena by the herd as a loud and rambunctious group that poured immense love and energy into their team.

Two different individuals, two contrasting stories, but two similar outcomes. Seasons of much success, school spirit, and community support, but without any sort of closure for their respective basketball journeys which began much prior to the season. High school basketball is a cherished phenomenon that brings out the best in everybody, whether the players, coaches, media members, or fans. Although the ball will eventually dribble again and games will continue to be played after things get back to normal, what will be lost can never be retrieved again. With graduating seniors such as Kieran Pruett, memories will fade eventually and the remaining thoughts will be “what if”. Student athletes work so hard through academia and athletics for one moment of glory that they will remember for the rest of their lives. But this moment was all taken away in the blink of an eye. I was able to speak with Kieran and Truitt and get their thoughts amidst this tragedy that has struck the basketball world.

Albert: Can you tell me the narrative behind your team’s season, the goals you had as well as your overall journey to get to State?

Kieran: Coming into the year we had a unique challenge of finding our identity and developing chemistry. We had so much to overcome early with figuring out roles and building trust in each other. We had several transfers who most of us had played with in AAU ball together over the years and were familiar with each other but this playing together in high school was something different. But one thing unified from the start that our goal was a state championship.

Truitt: Throughout our whole season, our one goal was to get to State. We had a very successful season by taking one game at a time and leaving all we have on the court for each other. Being ranked first in State going into the tournament truly showed how hard we have worked and put out there for each other, we got ourselves into that position. We constantly worked hard and pushed each other to get better, as well as being completely selfless and working towards our goal - State - for our seniors and for each other.

Albert: Having played a few State playoff games what was the demeanor for you guys?

Kieran: We knew going into playoffs we had a target on our backs being the second seed and that we were going to get everyone’s best games. We knew going into Newberg in the first round that this game would set the tone for the post season and that regardless of the score we needed to make everyone possession count because when we got to Chiles there wasn’t an option to take possessions off. Our Oregon City game emphasized that even more.

Truitt: Honestly, Tuesday morning we played against a great team - Ridgeview, I was very nervous and just couldn't wait to get on the court. My mentality for State this year was the drive to compete for my team. To give them all I have and to make it to the championship game. To leave everything on the floor and do it for the girls that have become my second family.

Albert: What was your team’s reaction to the announcement and what were your direct thoughts towards it?

Kieran: We were all gathered in the locker room before heading on the bus to go up to Portland. We knew coaches were all in the meeting that the 5A tournament had just been suspended. Our team was in there joking up and goofing off. Our KV coach told us that it had been cancelled and the joking stopped. The energy left the room and everyone looked around and people were asking questions about it. Guys broke into tears and started calling out parents to tell them and everyone was so heartbroken.

Truitt: We first heard about the cancellation when we were all asked to meet in our coaches room. My initial thought was that they finally found an alternative place for us to play, and that we’d be able to continue playing. When we heard the news, as a team, we were all very emotional and honestly heartbroken about the fact that we’d never be able to play together again. These girls I have been playing with my whole life, and not knowing that it had come to an end so quickly was truly devastating to all of us.

Albert: What are your goals and plans next year?

Kieran: I plan on going somewhere next year but I am undecided where I would like to end up. I have some offers to some community colleges and NAIA’s but I’m weighing my options. I’m not sure what I want to study yet either.

Truitt: My goals and plans next season are to work hard and do everything I can to help this team get back to State. I feel like leadership will be a super important role that I will be given, and I can’t wait to help build, encourage, and strengthen the young team we will have next season.

Albert: What do you have to say to the basketball community and those that are affected by the decision?

Kieran: With the passing of Kobe and now this, it really shows how every moment of the game is important and we can’t take it for granted. Every game, every practice, every drill, every sprint, every time dinner. Take advantage of them to the fullest because it could literally be taken away from you in the blink of an eye.

Truitt: To the basketball community I would say that as much as I’ve struggled with the championship being cancelled, I know there are so many people going through the same - or even worse conditions. I would say I was lucky to be able to play one last game with my girls and that I hope that we can all find strength to get through this rough time. And get back in the gym of course!

Albert: Despite the shortcomings how would you like your team to be remembered this season?

Kieran: I want our team to be remembered as a group who went out there and played the right way and for each other. We all sacrificed so mcb this year. Every person had significant personal sacrifice in some way and still we all played for each other. We never backed down from any opponent and we were on the verge of a State Championship.

Truitt: I would like our team to be remembered by the fact that we truly worked our hardest for each other and for our coaches. To be remembered as a sportsmanlike team and a group of girls that would be fun to play against. I cherish the fact that this team has always worked incredibly hard and has done it in the most respectful way. All we wanted to do was show people what we could do, and I’m truly forever proud of the legacy that this team will carry forever!

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womenofcolor15 · 4 years

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#MAMBAFOREVER: Heartbreaking Last Messages, Emotional Players & Coaches At Today's Games – Everyone Pours Out Their Hearts

It's been hours since news of legend Kobe Bryant & his daughter Gianna Bryant's deaths rocked the entire world. And it's still impossible to comprehend. From his heartbreaking last message to his "nephew" Shareef O'Neal just hours before his death to how players are remembering him in today's games, everybody's pouring out their hearts.

Kobe's former teammates, friends, and professional sports stars are all pouring out their hearts about one of the greatest Lakers of all time. After his last tweet was one for the player that idolized him - LeBron James - after he surpassed his all time record, Bron and the Laker team was spotted arriving back into L.A. this afternoon, understandably distraught.

LeBron is met with emotional hugs after landing in Los Angeles following the death of Kobe Bryant.

(via NBC4 Los Angeles) pic.twitter.com/Fx9jt2qZVi

— ESPN (@espn) January 26, 2020

The Lakers' team plane arrived back in LA hours after the death of franchise legend Kobe Bryant. Players could be seen embracing as they gathered and shared a tearful moment on the tarmac at LAX. https://t.co/Pe99QrkbmX pic.twitter.com/xP7zHN9ctW

— NBC Los Angeles (@NBCLA) January 26, 2020

Heartbreaking.

Shareef O'Neal, Shaquille O'Neal's son who has an uncle-bephew relationship with the late legend - posted that he missed his message this morning due to sleeping in, and shared their last exchange. Kobe's helicopter crashed just before 10am PST.

View this post on Instagram

This first picture were messages from THIS MORNING!!! .. I wish I didn’t sleep in so I could’ve talked to you .. I can’t even think straight right now.. I’m glad we got to bond over the years .. not only were you a great uncle you were a coach and a mentor to me too .. I love you man..thank you for everything you’ve done .. for this city , for the basketball world , and for me ... I won’t let you down .. you always counted on me and lifted me up. Love you unc

A post shared by Shareef O'Neal (@shareefoneal) on Jan 26, 2020 at 12:21pm PST

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I’m crying while reading these messages over ... even when I was at my worst you checked in on me so often .. I really appreciate you for that because I needed that so much.... i was so defeated sittin in that hospital everyday and I thought my basketball life was over .. you brought a smile to my face .. thank you . Love you

A post shared by Shareef O'Neal (@shareefoneal) on Jan 26, 2020 at 1:52pm PST

While the games at Kobe's Mamba Sports Acadmey were stopped today as soon as the news was delivered of his tragic death, the NBA games went on. And players and coaches on the court and off struggled to keep it together. Most fans demanded the NBA call all the games today to allow the players to recover, but that didn't happen.

Coach Doc Rivers completely broke down while speaking to the media, and Coach Pop and players tributedKobe in their own way - from holding the ball for 24 second violations to honor Kobe's Lakers number to wearing sneakers in his and Gianna's honor to moments of silence before the games began:

“He had that DNA that very few athletes can ever have.”

Doc Rivers on Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/kSS7sjKaI1

— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 26, 2020

There was a 24 second moment of silence in honor of Kobe Bryant before the Celtics-Pelicans game tonight #RIPKobe (via ig:Chaser_Atkinson) pic.twitter.com/juJwk6JyOd

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 27, 2020

Trae Young started the game wearing a No. 8 jersey to honor Kobe Bryant pic.twitter.com/VUoMswAQVi

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 26, 2020

"I just don't feel like broadcasting. I know a lot of the players don't feel like playing. It's just a sad, sad day."

—Mike Breen speaking emotionally about the death of Kobe Bryant at the Nets-Knicks game pic.twitter.com/TsNMebIU3O

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 27, 2020

Purple and Gold at MSG.

The Knicks have a moment of silence in remembrance of Kobe Bryant before their game against the Nets. pic.twitter.com/BiFKI0oUHE

— ESPN (@espn) January 27, 2020

Coach Pop on Kobe Bryant's legacy.

(via @NBATV)pic.twitter.com/oKGOIQatST

— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) January 27, 2020

Tyson Chandler clearly heartbroken. Not sure how these players are able to focus on the game. #Rockets pic.twitter.com/QlO0ByjsEI

— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) January 26, 2020

P.J. Tucker wearing Kobe’s today with a written message pic.twitter.com/TkXJE2rDUG

— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) January 26, 2020

Outside Staples Center (and at the crash site), as celebs arrived for the Grammys, basketball fans flooded the area to pay tribute to their fallen ido:

Thousands of fans have made their way to LA Live outside the Staples Center to show their respects to #KobeBryant. https://t.co/777X3f2E3y pic.twitter.com/DgSavA4Ai7

— NBC Los Angeles (@NBCLA) January 26, 2020

Phyllis Kelly is a fan of #KobeBryant. She is here gathered with fellow fans. She is reading from her bible and trying to spread hope and peace to those who are hurting @nbcla #nbcla pic.twitter.com/EDXONJgJ1M

— Kim Tobin (@KimTobinNBCLA) January 26, 2020

Touching moment outside Staples tonight. A fan releases a No. 8 balloon in remembrance of Kobe Bryant. You can hear the “MVP” chants in the background. https://t.co/zBEDxvKm4v #KobeBryant pic.twitter.com/qAiGwN0rTC

— Whitney Ashton (@whit_ashton) January 27, 2020

Damn this is so surreal. pic.twitter.com/NP9Z9ZayMG

— JRock (@ThisisJRock) January 26, 2020

This was perfectly, authentically stated #KobeBryant pic.twitter.com/na3RlDqAM0

— Jeff Pearlman (@jeffpearlman) January 26, 2020

Tonight, LAX’s pylons will be lit in purple and gold in memory of Kobe Bryant, his daughter and all those who were with them in today’s unthinkable accident. Kobe was in many ways a symbol of Los Angeles and we join his family, fans and city in mourning all who were lost today. pic.twitter.com/HGX5AaSDBG

— LAX Airport (@flyLAXairport) January 27, 2020

A crowd of #Lakers fans has gathered outside Staples Center, some chanting, "Kobe! Kobe!" https://t.co/6fCRCQDiDI pic.twitter.com/APiowHby1k

— NBC Los Angeles (@NBCLA) January 27, 2020

View this post on Instagram

Merry Christmas

A post shared by Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) on Dec 25, 2019 at 11:20am PST

Celebs everywhere - most of whom are personal friends or former teammates of Kobe - everywhere poured out their hearts, especially his "big brother" Shaq:

Kobe was so much more than an athlete, he was a family man. That was what we had most in common. I would hug his children like they were my own and he would embrace my kids like they were his. His baby girl Gigi was born on the same day as my youngest daughter Me’Arah. pic.twitter.com/BHBPN5Wq8V

— SHAQ (@SHAQ) January 26, 2020

There’s no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi & my brother @kobebryant I love u and u will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW pic.twitter.com/pigHywq3c1

— SHAQ (@SHAQ) January 26, 2020

Most people will remember Kobe as the magnificent athlete who inspired a whole generation of basketball players. But I will always remember him as a man who was much more than an athlete. pic.twitter.com/9EZuwk8wrV

— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) January 26, 2020

Official Statement from Michael Jordan on the passing of Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/EEVmGLRHyj

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 26, 2020

Love is forever. pic.twitter.com/AtPuLwqtKf

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) January 26, 2020

View this post on Instagram

This first photo is especially eery in light of how @kobebryant passed, but let me give you the back story: In 2014, Kobe made some comments about Trayvon Martin’s case that I considered to be tone deaf. I criticized him on air, back when I was doing His & Hers on ESPN2, and before that show even ended, Kobe sent me a DM on Twitter and told me to call him right away. I did and we talked for an hour. Great conversation. That led to this first photo. I asked Kobe if he would sit down with me for #BETGeniusTalks. He happily agreed. His only condition was that BET pay for his helicopter. We kept in touch here and there and when I moved on to SportsCenter, @themichaelsmith and I were told that the only two shows he wanted to do were NBA countdown and #TheSix. Kobe and I started from a place of disagreement and wound up fostering a cool relationship. I literally feel like we grew up together, even though I’m older than him. The last time I sat down with him I realized he had really grown into his voice. His words about @kaepernick7 were heartfelt and meaningful. I live in Los Angeles now and I can’t begin to describe how people here feel. This city is heartbroken. People did not always like Kobe, but he was universally respected. As a journalist, you’re supposed to remain objective but I just can’t about this. I will miss his genius, his authenticity and I am saddened because for as much as he accomplished, he was just barely scratching the surface. The loss of him and his daughter... this is truly a tragedy I can’t even put into perspective.

A post shared by Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) on Jan 26, 2020 at 2:57pm PST

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These picture are just the tip of the iceberg of our relationship. He taught me so many things in life that were necessary on and off the court. On the court he taught me how to carve out defenses and how to take my time. How to make winning my ultimate goal. Off the court he taught me to sign my own checks lol. Of course anyone who knows my story knows I’ve suffered a lot of loss but the only loss I can compare this to is when I lost my son. Even though our relationship wasn’t father/son, it was more like him being a teacher and me being his brother. I’m glad I got to be the ying to your yang as far as the locker room was concerned. It was my pleasure. I couldn’t even catch my breath today when I heard this news. I just knew if he was in a helicopter crash he would have been the one to survive. Somehow he would have jumped out and landed on his feet. I’m sitting here thinking about when we would be in practice scrimmaging and you would start the jump ball off with elbowing Sasha in the chest. Like dude it’s 10:30 in the morning lol. You think watching him play was crazy, you gotta think in practice if you scored like 8-9 buckets throughout the practice you had a great practice. I’ve seen him knock off 13-14 in a row in practice!!!! I’m still waiting for the media to come out and say wrong report. No way God took my brother this early. I know I been through my own stuff in life with using drugs and not being good to myself. When I went through that Coma situation if God would have came to me and said we would take me and spare Kobe I would have rather that happened. In honor of my brother I’m up at 4am tomorrow to get to the gym! Gigi gone give you buckets!!!! I love you brother @kobebryant

A post shared by Lamar Odom (@lamarodom) on Jan 26, 2020 at 2:57pm PST

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A post shared by Metta (@mettaworldpeace37) on Jan 26, 2020 at 2:35pm PST

Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day.

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 26, 2020

Wow! No words to really describe the news of hearing Kobe Bryant Thee Goat had passed away! One of my idols, role models, gave me hope that my life had light at the end of the tunnel and was far from over. A champion for life, he was most def one of a kind! May God have mercy

— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) January 27, 2020

Miami HEAT President Pat Riley Statement

“Kobe Bryant was a Godsend to this world; not just to the NBA, but to all those who hold dear and cherish family, friends and faith. Today I mourn the tremendous loss of Kobe, his daughter, Gianna, and the other passengers."

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) January 27, 2020

Mamba Forever. pic.twitter.com/wIchSUwFM2

— Nike (@Nike) January 26, 2020

View this post on Instagram

Kobe " Bean " Bryant # MVP ! Last Game at Boston Garden 2015 ! Rare footage shot by @teashabivins ! @vanessabryant the #bivfam sends our Condolences to you and the Family for Strength and Understanding #gigibryant ! Bro I'll never forget you saying Yo Biv you and Tea come in and kept the hallway of Press outside! Purple & Gold... We Gon miss you Bro ! God Bless #MLB51

A post shared by Mike Bivins aka Sporty (@617mikebiv) on Jan 26, 2020 at 2:55pm PST

Kobe and I shared so many special conversations about life and basketball. We had so much in common off the court. I used to love talking to him about Lakers basketball, being fathers and husbands and how much we loved Italy. I will miss those conversations and him so much. pic.twitter.com/PIv7obzr2x

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2020

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on the passing of Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/fkbkYYIFHp

— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 26, 2020

Kobe looked at his daughters, especially Gianna, as the humans who would carry out his legacy:

Kobe Bryant did not need a son to carry on his legacy. What he said on 'Jimmy Kimmel' about his daughter Gianna's WNBA aspirations. pic.twitter.com/hQpQOWCAeO

— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) January 26, 2020

And we remember him mostly as the ultimate father, coach and leader:

Kobe. Nipsey. Trayvon’s mom + dad. pic.twitter.com/FkiPqyW3rC

— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) January 26, 2020

Less than two weeks before his death in a helicopter crash, NBA legend Kobe Bryant spoke with CNN about the MLS, Leo Messi and how there are women who could play in the NBA "right now" https://t.co/kmv7KpbZtV pic.twitter.com/421aFaY3hU

— CNN (@CNN) January 27, 2020

One of our final images of Kobe Bryant wasn’t him slashing, scoring, or winning. It was teaching, coaching, and parenting. pic.twitter.com/V3VfChPLAJ

— Mitch Fick (@MCFick) January 26, 2020

We close out this post with a prayer from Devon Franklin:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by DeVon Franklin (@devonfranklin) on Jan 26, 2020 at 3:33pm PST

Photo: Getty

[Read More ...] source http://theybf.com/2020/01/26/mambaforever-heartbreaking-last-messages-emotional-players-coaches-at-todays-games-%E2%80%93-ever

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preserving-ferretbrain · 5 years

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23 boxes of tissues on the Jellicoe Road

by Wardog

Thursday, 05 February 2009Wardog tops off her run of utterly amazing books with On the Jellicoe Road.~

My father took one hundred and thirty-two minutes to die. I counted. It happened on the Jellicoe Road. The prettiest road I'd ever seen, where trees made breezy canopies like a tunnel to Shangri-La. We were going to the ocean, hundreds of miles away, because I wanted to see the ocean and my father said that it was about time the four of us made that journey. I remember asking, "What's the difference between a trip and a journey?" and my father said, "Narnie, my love, when we get there, you'll understand," and that was the last thing he ever said.

Are you in tears, yet? On the Jellicoe Road (or Jellicoe Road, as it was published over here, for some inexplicable reason) is an incredible book, a perfectly judged juxtaposition of beauty and pain, like the Jellicoe road itself introduced here in the prologue. I'm probably failing to sell this from the get go book: On the Jellico Road is not an easy book - in fact, sometimes, it's almost unbearable - but it's also superb in every conceivable way, and so full of hope and wonder that if I believed in books could change lives, this would be one of those books. It's a buy and give to everyone you know sort of book.

On the Jellicoe Road is a complex book, with complex characters and you'll spend at least the first hundred pages faintly bewildered because it just throws you straight into the action of the story, but it's incredibly carefully structured and comes together in remarkably coherent and satisfying way. Everything that happens, everything it tells you, is there for a reason. There are two storylines, one set in the past and one in the present; they seem to run in parallel but, as the book unfolds, they turn out to be intimately connected. The Past tells the story of five teenagers who were brought together in tragedy on the Jellicoe Road. In the present, we have Taylor Markham, a teenage girl who was abandoned at 7/11 by her mother on the Jellicoe Road. She becomes the reluctant leader of her school in the annual territory wars between the Jellicoe school students, the Townies and the Cadets, who come in for six weeks from the city, but she's really searching for family she's lost and a sense of belonging in a world she thinks is "just a tad low on the reliable adult quota."

I've deliberately kept my attempt at a plot summary sparse: there is no way I can do such an intricate book justice in a summary and a large part of the pleasure of reading it comes from piecing the past and the present together, and learning how the one informs and influences the other. The sections of the novel set in the present are told in the first person from Taylor's point of view; the past comes to us in fragments from the novel written by Hannah, the woman who has acted somewhat as a surrogate parent for Taylor. I can't say simply what On the Jellicoe Road is about: it's about love, I think, love and pain, and hope, and how to find it. I'm not a sentimental person, and it's not in any way a sentimental book, but I cried all the way through it. I'm kind of welling up a bit writing this review, and remembering. The thing is, because I am not the sort of person who cries at things, I usually get quite angry by books that try to make me. I feel resentful and manipulated: although it is impossible to read On the Jellicoe Road without being moved, the emotion it never fails to evoke feels natural and cathartic.

There isn't much more to say about On the Jellicoe Road without starting to pick it apart in order to look at why it's so wonderful. But it's a sublime butterfly of a book and I have no wish to stick a pin through its heart. I simply can't remember the last time I was so profoundly affected by something in fiction. It's quite a slow-paced read and far from easy but it's undoubtedly worth it. It's such a powerful story, beautifully written, elegantly structured and full of flawed, complex well-drawn characters. And although it's full of grief and pain and despair, the darkness is never absolute: hope and love are always there when you are sure they can't possibly be. And, if you can possibly believe it, it's far from a grueling emotion-fest. It's also extremely funny (Taylor, for example, has a dry, sarcastic narrative voice that suits her difficult, lonely character perfectly) and there's plenty of adolescent bickering and flirting and relating to keep the book grounded. On the Jellicoe Road is quite simply an essential read. It makes me want to have children so I could give them copy when they got to be teenagers. Even though I hate children. It's that good.Themes:

Young Adult / Children

bookmark this with - facebook - delicious - digg - stumbleupon - reddit

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Isabel

at 09:42 on 2009-05-23Kyra thanks SO much for writing this review. Just finished it (was anal enough to get my cousin in Australia to buy and post me a copy because I don't like UK edition) and would never of heard of it if you hadn't written this. Fucking LOVE this book. It's just amazing.

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Wardog

at 10:51 on 2009-05-23Thank you so much - I'm glad somebody else has read it because it's such an amazing book. And I have no idea what they were thinking of with the UK cover (big red poppy of pointlessness??).

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Isabel

at 19:04 on 2009-05-25And especially renaming it Jellicoe Road – that really irked me!

I think what I really loved was the way that everything in it was there for a reason and also because the big points or important sentences and moments didn’t stick in my mind because they were obviously This Is Significant (something which after five seasons of Lost is really. Pissing. Me. Off.) but just because they were the most beautiful – opening paragraph and the ‘more’ stuff being the case in point.

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Guy

at 06:59 on 2009-07-29Hey Kyra, just wanted to add my thanks to Isabel's because I just finished reading this book and it was amazing. If you hadn't written this review I never would have given this book a second glance because I would have (shamefully) misjudged it on the basis of having seen the film of Alibrandi and sort-of liked it and thought that was all I needed to know about Melina Marchetta. I'm half-tempted to write a review of this book in which I ramble endlessly about the hundred and one things that it makes me think of, but I guess the succinct thing I'd say about it is that it's the kind of book that I remember reading that made me Believe In Literature when I was younger and that's an experience I've missed for a long long time.

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Robinson L

at 20:30 on 2009-09-09Oh my god.

Oh my

god

(I promised myself I'd restrict this comment to just the one repetition.)

By great good fortune, my library system has this on Playaway (a sort of combination audiobook and player, just add headphones) and I just happened to stumble across it when browsing the online catalogue (I'm pretty sure I didn't go out looking for it).

I listened to it over the summer and was completely blown away. Easily one of the best books I've read in years. Maybe

the

best.

This story is so incredibly beautiful. Tragedy and I have been on difficult terms for a long time, and once or twice I've considered issuing a restraining order. This summer it feels like I've been saturated with more angsty melodrama than at any time since I gave up

Legacy of the Force

in disgust. (At some point when I've got my thoughts better collected I'll have to write a post about the peculiar penchant in the entertainment industry to assume more angst = more literate.) Then again, that may've mostly been due to the third and fourth seasons of

Battlestar Galactica

, a show which must've been pitched like this: “We've got to show the Brits we can produce something even

angsty than their new version of

Doctor Who

.” (Ooh, look at all the pretty tangents.)

'Course, some of the tragedy was better than that. I listened to both Jodi Picoult's

My Sister's Keeper

and Audrey Niffenegger's

The Time-Traveler's

(which, incidentally, also had a major character die in a car crash and accidentally shot by a loved one, respectively) this spring and they were all right, but even they felt somewhat forced and melodramatic.

On the Jellicoe Road

singlehandedly restored my faith in tragedy, and reminded me that yes, it can be an intensely beautiful thing. (Anybody else here think tragedy is a lot harder to pull off satisfactorily than happy stories?)

Which is not to say, I hasten to add for the benefit of anyone who hasn't yet read the book, that it's all tragedy. The ending is bittersweet: tragedy and joy blended to perfection and served in a porcelain bowl with luscious fudge topping.

It's hard enough to get my eyes to tear up, but I was crying all through the last three chapters. The epilogue was such a downer note that I just kept on listening and got the prologue and first nine chapters all over again. (Approximately one million things leaped out at me and had me going “Oh, so

that's

what that part's about. Another sign of excellent writing.)

And though it's sad, the story is also uplifting. I think this is because at the end of the road, despite all of the pain, all of the heartache, all of the betrayals and perceived betrayals, everyone is forgiven, everyone is loved. I'm tearing up again just writing that.

In terms of plotting, the book is effing fantastic. To borrow a line from Kyra's

“Incarceron” review

Read it and weep, JK Rowling, this what a backstory should be.

(Also what tragedy should be.)

Even the serial killer plot thread managed to tie into the whole in the most perfectly unexpected way. *David Tennant voice* Brilliant.

I attended a Young Adult Fiction panel at a Convention this weekend, and at one point realized they were having recommendations from the audience. I gave this book a special shout-out (and Catherine Fisher, too).

Unfortunately, my youngest sisters are too young to read this—I just know it would break their hearts—and the older one has already expressed her disinclination to let me tell her how much

loved the book, let alone recommend it to her (which I wasn't going to do anyway, because teenager though she is, I suspect she'd find it overwhelmingly sad as well).

My version had the red poppy too, but it's so abstract I didn't mind, because the Australian cover looks like some kind of ghost story of only middling quality to me. As for the title—I got both versions. The US cover has the truncated title, but the dramatization is Australian and the reader gave it in full.

May I also just give a shout-out to the audio version, by the way? Narration can primarily enhance a story experience, detract from it, or execute it neutrally (I say “primarily” because most have at least a little of each). Rebecca Macauley's reading of

On the Jellicoe Road

lands squarely in the first category. Her Taylor is flawless, and the other voices are good-to-amazing. With her narration, she brings the rich emotions of the book to life.

(Although due to only listening to the book, I was momentarily thrown off rereading this post to learn that Webb's sister is called “Narnie” rather than “Nani.”)

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Wardog

at 12:58 on 2009-09-10I am increasingly pleased I wrote this review - the book had such an impact on me that I'm glad other people reading it as a consquence.

I'm so glad it effected you as strongly as it did me - it's a truly remarkable and wonderful book. I did cry pretty much the whole way through it but I never resented the fact it made me do that, nor did I find it was unpleasant, the way strong emotions can sometimes be.

It's such a hard book to recommend to people because it is such an emotional read.

But, God, yes it's remarkable - and you for commenting, I really think everyone should read this book.

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Robinson L

at 22:02 on 2009-09-10Thank

you

for reviewing it, and putting me on to such a fabulous thing.

(Yes, it is a hard book to recommend, although I seem to be getting the unshakable urge to proselytize it now.)

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Jamie Johnston

at 19:59 on 2017-07-13This review has really stuck in my mind for all these years, so much so that I've come to remember it as possibly the first thing I ever read on Ferretbrain – which is clearly wrong because I'd been not only reading but contributing to the site for over a year before the review was posted. I also remembered 'On the Jellicoe Road' as being the first book I put on my 'to read' list when I got a Goodreads account (over two years after reading this review) and that memory does turn out to be right.

And after all that, I recently got round to actually tracking down a copy and reading it! No need to say any more than that I completely agree with everything you said about it, Kyra, and thank you for the recommendation.

#Ferretbrain #On the Jellicoe Road #Wardog #Jellicoe Road #Melina Marchetta

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