Book Review: The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp

Rick Yancey's The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp made my heart sink in the character's despair. From the title you know it's about Alfred Kropp but do you know the terrors he carries on his shoulders?

The theme is pretty obvious. About a boy who must pay for his sins and becomes a man out of it. But it is much more intense than just simple, coming of age. Alfred Kropp is the main character, as you may know. He is seen as a bumbling, giant idiot by his peers and the adults in his short life. But when his uncle needs his help, his decisions lead to the massacre of beloved sons and fathers. To him he can not do anything right. Bennacio, another major character, becomes a father figure to Alfred even though he is the reason all of his friends are dead. He helps the boy become a respectable man who does not ponder on his own faults. Another example of coming of age. Uncle Farrell is a minor character at the beginning. He is Alfred's uncle and caretaker. If it wasn't for him, Alfred would never have been in this horrible predicament. But his decisions led Alfred to become more than he ever thought.

I can not think of a book that reminds me of this one. As for current events, nothing rings a bell either.

The characters are sometimes very unbelievable. But I loved them either way! They made me hungry to gnaw at this book. Alfred, is the clumsy hero that stumbles his way to greatness. Bennacio is the mentor you always crave in a book. Dependable, strong, and a strong father figure to a lost teen. Who else would be so cool-headed when he has a poison tipped dagger to his throat and just stares the guy down?

This book was great but terribly depressing. It was so depressing I nearly wanted to just put it up and never look at it again.

Pages: 339

Poem: Nightime and Morning

Whenever I go to bed,
After the sun has gone down,
Before the clock strikes midnight,
As I slip into my dreams,
I hope tomorrow will be as wonderful as today.

When I wake up,
As I rub my sleepy eyes,
Before the sun has risen,
While I long to slumber once more,
I know today has begun.