Book Review – The Borrower

The Borrower by Rebecca Makkai (William Heineman) ISBN 978-0-434-02100-0

Ian Drake is a ten-year-old boy. He is rather precocious, and he likes books. Unfortunately, his mother is very fussy about what he should read so he has to collude with Lucy Hull, the librarian who reads to the children in the library.

Lucy and Ian form a friendship as he is a frequent visitor to the library. One morning Lucy finds Ian there as he had spent the night. Lucy offers to take him home, and then the fun begins.

Ian misdirects Lucy, and in some strange way, she permits him. The adventure has begun and so has the self-discovery of both characters. The journey takes them to various places and circumstances, written with humour and fertile imagination.

The Borrower is for all ages, the younger readers may see it as an enjoyable ride, and the older readers will possibly delve into its deeper meaning.

This is an easy, pleasant read by a debut author.

Dawn Blankfield
3/5