The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Mar.12, 2015, under Adventure, Historical Fiction, Sam's Reviews
Who would like this book? Readers, grades 5 and up, who like adventures with great characters and a historical feel.
The goods on this book: Kennth Oppel’s newest book, The Boundless, invites readers on a fantastical adventure set in 1880’s Canada. What could be better than a story that weaves together a train robbery, a murder, and a circus with the coming-of-age experiences of a boy who is thoughtful, resourceful, and prone to danger?
As the story opens, Will Everett’s father has been away for three years working on the Canadian Pacific Railway. As Will prepares to meet him at the golden-spike ceremony, fortuitous events begin to unfold. First, Will meets Maren, a circus performer who steals Will’s heart and spirits away Will’s prized Sasquatch tooth. Next, Will catches the eye of Cornelius Van Horne, the manager of the railroad, and discovers the perks and risks of having friends in high places.
Three years later, Will’s father is an executive with the railroad. The magnificent train with 947 cars, The Boundless, is ready for its first trek across Canada, “from sea to sea.” One of the cars is carrying the remains of Mr. Van Horne, and the rumor is that the golden spike and other riches are with him, making this funeral car a kind of Pharaoh’s tomb. When Will wanders away from the train during its first stop, he stumbles upon the distinctive key to this car and witnesses a murder. Will and the murderer have a moment of mutual recognition, and then the race is on!
Will encounters a multitude of well-drawn characters and high adventure as he tries to keep one step ahead of the man who wants him dead. Maren gives him a good cover as a circus performer, and as Will deceives others, he tries to figure out whom he can trust. Deftly woven into the action is Will’s growing sense of self and the world around him. His journey from the back of the train to the front, traversing all the social classes, forges his sense of justice.
In The Boundless, Kenneth Oppel fulfills the vision of this magnificent train: characters come alive, history melds with fantasy, and the plot brims with suspense, surprise, and delight. As with all of Kenneth Oppel’s books, don’t miss it!
The details: 332 pages; 2014 Review by Samrarians
