Joel Agee

This deserves a better rating because it is a beautifully written book - it's just not an exciting read and wasn't exactly what I expected. Told entirely from the viewpoint of a six year old boy, Piro, who lives with his American mother and German father in Mexico during the 1940's. There is much going on in the world but Piro only experiences bits and pieces of his parents' talk and tries to make sense of everything that goes around him.

This is to be an ultimate look into childhood and a child's attempts to make sense. It is well written and probably masterfully done. It's just that not much happens, but I do see that the daily experiences are shaping the young boy who in reality is surrounded by loving parents and a loving maid and her boyfriend. Interesting idea, just not particularly an interesting book.… (mer)

The Stone World is one of those quiet titles that aren't driven by an overarching narrative, but are instead made of the details of daily life. In this case, the daily life is Pira's. He lives in 1940s Mexico with a violinist mother originally from New York and her second husband, a writer who fled from Germany to Mexico when Hitler rose to power. Both parents treat Pira with a seriousness and dignity that recognizes his developing sense of ethics.

Pira spends much of his time surrounded by adults talking politics. Their conversations can be heated, and Pira listens carefully, drawing his own conclusions about the meaning of their interactions. He knows there are two kinds of "parties": those that involve festivity and those that the adults seem so focused on.

Pira has two best friends: one the only son of a working class mother, the other the only son of a wealthy and unscrupulous businessman. He spends time with them, singly and together, and ponders their realities and views of the world.

Pira also enjoys lying on the patio in his family's yard, holding a favorite blue marble, one ear pressed to the tiles, letting himself sink into and listen to the earth itself.

Spending time with Pira and sharing his perceptions of the world and individuals around him is an absolute gift—one for which I deeply thank Joel Agee. His ability to show us how everything happens as nothing much happens is remarkable.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher; the opinions are my own.… (mer)