The Book About Everything is written by Guus Kuijer Nietherland's best known and best loved writers. In 2005 The Book of Everything won The Flemish Golden Owl Award and the Dutch Golden Pencil Award. This book was translated by JohnNieuwenhuizen.
Thomas sees things that no one else can see - like frogs wriggling through the letter box and tropical fish swimming in the canal. He sees angels cover their eyes and weep when his father hits his mother.
He writes everything down in his secret notebook, including his greatest hopes and darkest fears. Then an unlikely friendship leads Thomas to a startling revelation: that happiness begins with no longer being afraid.
Fave Quotes:
"When i grow up, I am going to be happy" - Thomas
"Do you know how happiness begins? It begins with no longer being afraid." - Mrs Van Amersfoot
"A man who hits his wife dishonours himself."
"You are strong because you are kind" - Jesus to Thomas (Thomas talks to Jesus and gets a reply, i mean they chat for like real)
My take:
This book is about a boy named Thomas who wants to be happy. Thomas is on a family where his Father hits his Mother and where every time he does something wrong his father hits him with a wooden spoon. Its a very sad and touching book, when the hitting starts to begin he imagines it like rain pouring down and that he no longer exist. But this book is simply written and you will feel close to the characters it becomes beautiful then. I get to like some of the characters like Margot(i liked her at the end part of the book, what she did was surprising and brave) and Mrs Van Amersfoot the witch. I have seen a lot of families with the same situation, I can really relate with this book. Happy childhood is indeed important because it shapes you. It shapes who you become in the future. I wish no child should ever undergo this same kind of situation- seeing your own father hits your mother and being helpless about it. But for those who is now going through the same ordeal i wish that you like Thomas will find your own happiness, and it starts with no longer being afraid.
One fact: My mother gets to read this book too.(The book is too short, like 118 pages short) not that my mother reads only short books. Anyways, she said this relates to old generation family. This kind of Father belongs to some past. He sort of does not exist now, maybe we can have some but only a little for those who still do this kind of punishment. I kind of agree with my mom and maybe you will too when you get to know the character of the Father. He is very religious.
Oh i forgot to mention, there is a love story in this book. A very cute love story. The love story of Thomas and Eliza. hehe Im in the mood so im going to write Thomas love letter to her. Now that's a bonus for you. Here it is
Dear Eliza,
Maybe you think you are not beautiful because you have a leather leg that creaks when you walk. Or because one of your hands has only a little finger and nothing else. But that is not true. You are the most beautiful girl in the world. I think that later you are going to live in a castle with a Rolls-Royce in the driveway. I do not write this because i want to go out with you, for you are already sixteen and I am only nine(nearly ten), so that is not possible. I write it because it is true.
O pure innocent love! aw.
