I'd hoped to get back sooner, but fitting a proper reread in and marshalling my thoughts took longer than planned.
I've thought of a couple of other things I forgot to mention. The ending I find vaguely dissatisfying, but it's hard to pinpoint quite why. On my first read, I assumed it was because I was simply trying to work out what on earth was going on; on the second (and third and fourth, lol) the climatic scene and resolution all seems a bit...quick? I'm not sure that's the right summing up either, but I do feel it's the romantic/love side of things that suffers from the speed. Though they're grasping hands at the end in a committed fashion, reminiscent of some other couple. ;)
One of my favourite things about the book - and I'd have DEVOURED this as a child - was the idea that you can let your own imagination take flight, and basically create the narrative of your own life. And that there is no reason why girls can't be heroes.
Re: Comment thread for cool minor details
I've thought of a couple of other things I forgot to mention. The ending I find vaguely dissatisfying, but it's hard to pinpoint quite why. On my first read, I assumed it was because I was simply trying to work out what on earth was going on; on the second (and third and fourth, lol) the climatic scene and resolution all seems a bit...quick? I'm not sure that's the right summing up either, but I do feel it's the romantic/love side of things that suffers from the speed. Though they're grasping hands at the end in a committed fashion, reminiscent of some other couple. ;)
One of my favourite things about the book - and I'd have DEVOURED this as a child - was the idea that you can let your own imagination take flight, and basically create the narrative of your own life. And that there is no reason why girls can't be heroes.