Chopsticks

3.7

3.8 (4)

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Author(s)

Publisher

Razorbill

Genre(s)

Teen Fiction

Age Range

14+

Release Date

February 02, 2012

ISBN

978-1595144355

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After her mother died, Glory retreated into herself and her music. Her single father raised her as a piano prodigy, with a rigid schedule and the goal of playing sold-out shows across the globe. Now, as a teenager, Glory has disappeared. As we flash back to the events leading up to her disappearance, we see a girl on the precipice of disaster. Brilliant and lonely, Glory is drawn to an artistic new boy, Frank, who moves in next door. The farther she falls, the deeper she spirals into madness. Before long, Glory is unable to play anything but the song "Chopsticks." But nothing is what it seems, and Glory's reality is not reality at all. In this stunningly moving novel told in photographs, pictures, and words, it's up to the reader to decide what is real, what is imagined, and what has been madness all along....

Editor reviews

2 reviews

An Interactive Read

February 11, 2012 (Updated: February 11, 2012)

Overall rating

3.7

Plot

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Characters

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Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

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Chopsticks has to be one of the coolest books I've ever read. It's not your typical read written in standard prose. It's told through a collage of photographs, newspaper articles, drawings, text-messages, and other scrap-book-like items. In this novel, a picture truly is worth a thousand words.

The photographs are stunning and masterful. Each page evokes just as much emotion as a traditional page of prose, sometimes even more so. Using this scrapbook-style format, the authors were able to create abstract expressions that are hard to come by with the written word. I found myself feverish to turn the page, to discover more of the mystery, to drink it all in. The experience of reading Chopsticks was one I won't soon forget.

That said, I did find the overall story to be lacking in the end. Due to the unique format, I felt like I was reading a newspaper article and therefore never really slipped into the characters' shoes. I was definitely engrossed, but not in the same way as a traditional read. I didn't become Glory or Frank, so I didn't have the empathy I needed to truly fall in love with the characters. There was a disconnect at all times, like I was looking in through a window, spying on the neighbors next door.

Not that that's a bad thing. Chopsticks is still a fascinating read. Who doesn't want to take a peak into the mysterious lives of the neighbors next door?

All in all, this was an excellent experience and I highly recommend it. The usage of YouTube links and other modern tech was brilliant. I hear there is also an iPad app, which I'm going to check out. I think this book might be better experienced through the app, as you'd be able to watch the YouTube videos immediately as you come across them. The downside for me when reading was that I didn't have access to the Internet, so I had to go back later and watch the clips.

If you want to read something that totally flips the traditional novel on it's ear, then you must pick this one up.

(There is some mature content, so stick to the 14+ age recommendation.)

Good Points

- Interactive story-telling, both clever and ahead-of-its-time
- The photographs truly are worth a thousand words

MG Buehrlen Top 100 Reviewer 59 reviews

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User reviews

4 reviews

Overall rating

3.8

Plot

3.8(4)

Characters

3.5(4)

Writing Style

4.0(4)

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A(0)

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Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony (Pixie Dust Book Reviews)

January 05, 2013

Overall rating

4.0

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Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony can only be describe as, well, surprising. When I received this book, I hadn't formed an opinion on it from the cover or the synopsis and decided to just let everything play out. It is honestly like nothing I have ever read before to put it plainly and here's why:

The story of Glory is told through pictures, newspaper articles, instant message conversations, and so on. It's hard for me to find a category that this book would fit under to accurately describe what it is like. It's not like a childhood picture book or even just a photography book, these images and words (used sparingly) tell a story that I actually liked.

When there is nothing to compare it to, it is hard to find a good way to critique and rate such a book. If I base it simply on the plot, I love the story and longed for there to be an actual written story with it. Although the images tell the story, there is something about descriptions and narrative that make the characters come to life in my mind. That was lacking in this novel which was disappointing. The quality of the images and the story they portrayed was amazing, it didn't lack a lifelike quality to them that they could've. I could see all those people in the photos really living this life and that was nice.

Oh how to rate a book that I don't even know how to critique. It was unique and definitely an interesting read for those who don't mind reading less and looking more.

Bailee Christiansen Top 500 Reviewer

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Chopsticks (A Room with Books review)

September 16, 2012

Overall rating

4.0

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Chopsticks is a unique experience that’s definitely worth checking into. It’s not your usual book you’ll have to commit anywhere from several hours to a days to. You can make it last, sure, but you’ll still be able to finish Chopsticks within a couple hours.

I call Chopsticks an experience because it’s unlike any other book I’ve ever encountered. It’s made up of pictures, IM conversations, videos, and music. Of course, there are words mixed in as well, but it’s nothing like normal book format.

I loved the fact that there are playlists in here. They even introduced me to some new music :] I also really enjoyed the fact that there are Youtube URLS and when you follow them they actually take you to the videos they talk about in the story.

I thought it would be really hard to connect with any of the characters since the format is so different. Admittedly, I didn’t connect in the same way that I likely would have from traditional format, but I still really cared about Glory and her relationship with Frank. When she asks him to send her a piece of him and one of his shirts showed up in the mail, I about had a heart explosion from the sweetness!

The Nutshell: If you’re looking for something new to try then Chopsticks is definitely for you. It conveys a touching story through pictures, words, music, and video. And if you’re nervous to read it, just pick up a copy and give it 5 minutes. I guarantee you’ll be hooked!

Hit

Jasmine Top 50 Reviewer 326 reviews

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Not for me

May 18, 2012

Overall rating

3.0

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When I first heard about Chopsticks and its creative writing I was intrigued. However after looking through the book, you have to look because there aren't a lot of words, it just didn't work for me. The images were grainy and without much content the 'reader' has little to go on. I didn't really understand the point. A book filled with pictures kind of reminds me of a coffee table book rather than something I would read.

I guess I am more of a traditional reader and prefer words. Many of the teens at my library had difficulty with it as well.

Jen Top 500 Reviewer

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I want to hang this book up in my room

May 04, 2012 (Updated: May 04, 2012)

Overall rating

4.0

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Chopsticks is a book told in pictures. It's a book that's filled with pictures. Lots and lots of some of the most prettiest pictures that I've ever seen. I was worried when I started out the book that I wouldn't understand was happening in the story very well. But it's very easy to follow. Even though the plot's really simple, the pictures help bring it to life and I feel that I like the book a lot more because it is told in pictures.

*Note: The book is mainly consists of pictures and drawings but there is (a minimum) number of words.

Yiling Top 500 Reviewer