Reality can be a harsh thing. Joe All Alone is a brilliant representation of that.
Following a boy, Joe, who has never known his father, and never loved his mother’s new boyfriends, this book is indeed realistic fiction, where the world is a big place, that does not know of his problems nor seem to care about them. Until, of course, Joe finds himself all alone when his mother and boyfriend claim to have gone on vacation. The choices he makes, such as deciding to play video games and watch television the entire first day are exemplary of how any child might make the same mistake, only to find that the day after he’s hungry and has a nagging headache.
The reality, the consequences of the actions taken in this book, always add up, one on top of another, and it’s what makes this book so gripping. As a reader, you would know that if Joe makes a bad choice, a bad action, in this book, there would be a consequence.
Joe All Alone does however need some extra character development. Joe himself, and some people that he meets, might feel whole and real, such as Asha – this thirteen year old girl remains firm and forthright throughout the entire book, supportive of Joe yet determined to help him out of the problems that he encounters one by one. On the other hand, characters such as Joe’s mother may need more thought put into them. Apparently, she is supposed to love Joe, supposedly proven by the fact that she hugs and kisses him at the end, saying ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry…’ But most readers may fail to grasp why she would ever do this, when she’s been in touch with boyfriends rude to her ‘beloved’ son, and left him alone for a week.
In conclusion, this book is indeed a realistic one, with an eye for plot and main character development, as well as an interesting storyline, with the idea of action and freedom, making it encouraging for pre-teen to teenage readers (language can occasionally escalate, so perhaps a child younger than 12 might hold off for now).
While some characters may need some work, overall, this book is certainly a pleasurable read, one that will catch attention and be worth the ride.
- Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop
