Title: The House of Tomorrow
Author: Peter Bognanni
Publication Year: 2010
Publisher: Penguin
Edition: eBook
Source: Library Kindle Download
Location: Iowa
Date Completed: 10/5/2011
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: yes Sixteen year old Sebastian Prendergast is not your typical teen. He's been an orphan since both of his parents died in a plane crash when he was just six years old. Sebastian has lead a sheltered life ever since, living in a geodistic dome in Iowa with his elderly and somewhat eccentric Nana Josephine. His Nana does not believe in public school education; she thinks its "myopic and wrong". As a result, he is home schooled by Nana using the teachings of a futuristic 20th century philosopher. Nana believes its up to Sebastian to save humanity.
To supplement Nana's pension income they give tours of their dome, and run a little gift shop inside as well. One day while the two are giving a tour, to the Whitcomb family (mother and teenage son), Nana suffers a stroke and is hospitalized. The Whitcomb's bring Sebastian out from his bubble dome and into their home. It is here that Sebastian experiences a new kind of family. Janice,is a newly separated mother; she has a teenage somewhat misunderstood, brat of a daughter, Meredith. She also has a son, Jared about Sebastian's age. He has medical issues and problems of his own. It is here that Sebastian gets to experience some of the things teens at that age face: smoking, rock music, the opposite sex. A fun coming of age novel.
This debut author did a terrific job creating a believable character in Sebastian. His depictions of situations and the boys reactions to the outside world seemed accurate and appropriate. In some ways he even reminded me of the boy in A Curious Incident of a Dog in the Night Time, even though Sebastian was not autistic. This novel is laugh out loud funny at times, as Jared and his sister are not your ideal role models by any means. Somewhat social misfits themselves, they too long for acceptance and friendship. Even though at times I felt sad for some of the characters in this novel, ultimately, the story left me hopeful, and wondering if a sequel might be someday in the works.
A few other blogger reviews for this novel can be found here: Booklady's Blog; Book Chatter and The Crowded Leaf.
I bet Sebastian's reaction to the new family is funny and interesting. Sounds like a great book!
ReplyDeleteThis is one that has been on my backlist for awhile
ReplyDeleteGrowing up is never easy! This book sounds quite good.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if there is a perfect teen role model. In my life anyway, they're all flawed characters. This sounds like fun, and a kid who has been sheltered in his own dome is very much like an autistic person, isn't he.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you like this Amy Einhorn book. It was a lot of fun. I keep meaning to reread it in audio.
ReplyDeleteIt does sound interesting and worth reading!
ReplyDeleteThis does sound like a really interesting and fun book, and sort of reminds me a little of that Paulie Shore movie where he is living in the biodome, but I am sure this is way different! It seems like this one would be a lot of fun, and I am eager to try it out now that you've given it a thumbs up! Great review on this one!
ReplyDeleteI loved that the family he encounters is not a perfect family by any means. I like that they are flawed and searching for happiness just like him. It reminded me of Gilbert Grape.. remember that movie?
ReplyDeleteDoesn't sound like my usual pick, but I enjoyed The Curious Incident... so maybe I would like this. Guess I should expand my horizons a little. Good review.
ReplyDeletei got this one as a ARC... and then only read it last year when i had surgery. once i started it, i couldn't put it down. such a great book! i especially liked the tie these two influences in sebastian's world both facing death on different levels... good stuff
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an interesting read!
ReplyDeleteI need to make time for this one. There are so few books set in Iowa, after all. I'm glad you liked it, and I'm off to see if my library has it for Kindle.
ReplyDeletei've heard so much about A Curious Incident of a Dog in the Night Time and i have it sitting on my bookshelf too but i just haven't gotten around to reading it yet. i'm going to keep this book in mind when i do read A Curious Incident of a Dog in the Night Time though.
ReplyDeleteI'm very curious about this one!! I loved your thoughts on it and I will look out for it!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very good book. I will add it to my list.
ReplyDeleteWhat an unusual premise to a story! Sounds pretty good though.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds different in the very best of ways.
ReplyDeleteI've seen this book around a lot! And each time, I keep planning to read it, but never get to it. Glad you liked it too.
ReplyDeleteThis does sound interesting. I've never seen it before now. I'm glad it was a good read for you.
ReplyDeleteThis does sound really interesting, and a lot of people are saying it's very good - another one for the list!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking for an Iowa book for the states challenge so I'll have to add this one to my list.
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