Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson
This review was originally published on February 23, 2011.
Anderson’s follow-up to Chains is written from Curzon’s point of view, which was a huge improvement in my mind. I found him much more likable and easy to relate to than Isabel. He clearly has a very deep attachment to Isabel though, and despite not finding her likable at all, I did try to see her through his eyes. It’s something I had a hard time reconciling myself to because I really don’t care much for her.
The book begins as a war book, and it does not skimp on the war. It certainly helps to be interested in Revolutionary War troop conditions and fighting if you’re reading Forge. I’m pretty big into history although not necessarily wars/battles but I did find it all fascinating. Then about two-thirds of the way in, the book shifts and we are no longer on the battlefield. I was very sad to leave Curzon’s wartime friends and enemies and meet up with Isabel again. I might have been even sadder though that Forge also ends in a cliffhanger, this time giving notice that the story will be continued in Ashes.
As in Chains Anderson starts each chapter with a wordy quotation, exactly the type of thing I would skip when I was a young reader. But considering that I don’t think overall Anderson has done a great job of accounting for the interests of young readers it’s not shocking. Again this reads more like something teachers would love to assign than something kids would love to read, but I would recommend it to students seeking war stories.
Age Recommendation: Advanced readers in fifth or sixth grade and up would be able to read this book, with it being easier for those with some background in colonial history/the Revolutionary War.
Sex, Nudity, Dating – Isabel’s hip is touched and her backside smacked by her owner. There is kissing.
Profanity – “damned,” “negar,” and “injun”, “son-of-the-devil,” “gottam”. Often we are told of swearing without the words being reported.
Death, Violence and Gore – Wolves dig up and eat dead bodies. There is a very graphic scene of about the death of a man who is shot in the stomach. At times, it is a continuous litany of war wounds, bayonet to thighs, bullets lodged in skulls, tongues and teeth shot out, amputations. Beatings and whippings seem mild in comparison. There is a hanging. Burns are described graphically including weeping pus. Smallpox causes deaths.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – Men drink spruce beer (which may or may not be alcoholic).
Frightening or Intense Things –Eben tells a story about a two headed calf that has the head of a cat and of a goat. Isabel had an encounter with a violent man, she won’t say more about it. My mind goes toward rape, but no idea what others would read into it. Isabel believes in ghosts.
