The Black Detective: The Walls Have Ears
Their parents call in an unusual set of detectives, three people whose unusual physical characteristics have been pro This sat on my to-read shelf for a while, and it shouldn't have, because it's one of the best young adult novels I've read in a while. Their parents call in an unusual set of detectives, three people whose unusual physical characteristics have been produced by exposure to nuclear waste.
They are the Ear, the Eye, and the Arm, and they pursue the children from the crowded marketplace through the toxic waste dump called Dead Man's Vlei to the seemingly safe suburbs and the Mile-High MacIlwaine Hotel. Farmer mixes African folklore and tradition with a futuristic environment to create something simply fantastic. The children, brought up in restricted safety, learn about the old culture of Zimbabwe and the new culture; I particularly liked how they see the English residents as strange outsiders. The pacing is excellent, as Farmer cuts back and forth between the kids and the detectives, keeping the tension and the interest level high in both threads until they finally meet in the book's climax.
And I really loved the characters, who are portrayed both sympathetically and wittily; the bizarrely talented detectives particularly could easily be over the top, but they're just as human as anyone in the book. About half as good as The House of the Scorpion. I might have liked this book more if I didn't know that Farmer is capable of better. There is an inescapable PG-ness to the plot that lowers the stakes of the whole book. There is really no doubt about where the character arcs will end and how the story will turn out.
- The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm by Nancy Farmer?
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- Off to Kindergarten.
As a result, the setting has to carry the interest level of the whole book. Farmer does put out some amazing settings, with some great commentary on the pros and cons of different cul About half as good as The House of the Scorpion. Farmer does put out some amazing settings, with some great commentary on the pros and cons of different cultures and ways of thinking. I just wish that the characters and situations were more suspenseful.
Jan 05, E.
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E-M rated it really liked it. The three children of a broadly benign dictator, General Matsika, languish within the protected compound that is their home, forbidden from all but the most proscriptive exposure to the world outside for fear of offering their father's enemies an opportunity to kidnap or kill them, and lay him low. Empathetic Tendai, his thorny sister Rita, and their young brother Kuda long for an unrestricted taste of the rich world beyond those walls: Harare, capital of Zimbabwe, where life is really lived - no The three children of a broadly benign dictator, General Matsika, languish within the protected compound that is their home, forbidden from all but the most proscriptive exposure to the world outside for fear of offering their father's enemies an opportunity to kidnap or kill them, and lay him low.
Harare, capital of Zimbabwe, where life is really lived - not like their days of studious isolation, which are only enlivened by the daily praise singing of the household's Mellower, a semi-psychic servant whose hypnotic chants reinforce each listener's sense of personal pride and well being - but that can only go so far. When his duties are complete, the Mellower is as much their playmate as he is their babysitter, and together they hatch a plan to win a day's freedom from their comfortable cage: When they realise what has happened, it's too late: The first to see them coming do nothing more than overcharge them for a delicious taste of the market's spicy delicacies, but more threatening encounters are hot on their heels.
The children are snatched off the street and thrust into a series of oppressive worlds, demanding they grow up quickly or succumb. Days turn to weeks, to months as they languish - but even as their memories of the safe, boring world they gave up begin to fade under the onslaught of ever more serious dangers, all is not yet lost: The back of the cover hinted at this being a tale in the vein of The Wizard of Oz , and though it's been centuries since I read that during childhood, if I ever did now I'm finished this seems a reasonable comparison to me.
Although this is superficially science fiction, those elements of the story robot butlers and gardeners, vid-phones that walk and emote when threatened by angry owners, non-lethal "Nirvana" guns, flying vehicles really are superficial in the extreme - though some, like the mile-high skyscraper and the mutant abilities of the detectives, are used well. More properly, this is a future-set fantasy novel, in which the Zimbabwe of the late twenty-second century plays host to communities segregated by wealth and the statuses of different "tribes" British and Portuguese minorities are included in this category, amidst the native African Shona, Ndau, Matabele and Gondwanna - a smart re-levelling of the cultural playing field.
The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm
In addition to this vibrant, only sort of sci-fi setting, is the fantasy - a traditional-spiritual element that initially seems to be little more than cultural tradition but gradually reveals itself to be "actual". Different degrees of spirit possession are perceived to have everyday roles in society: The reveal that this is not mere superstition forms the basis of the fantastical in the story, and this is where the book proves most striking, especially in the crisis-climax the narrative builds towards.
The story itself is highly episodic, and to a degree repetitive with it, though it manages to be so in quite an engaging manner. The formula is of the three children falling into a state of peril, gradually coming to understand the rules they are thus forced to operate under, and escaping, only to fall into peril again.
Notes and observations
Alongside this, the trio of detectives piece together clues and intuitions to the point where they figure out where the kids now are, only to arrive in the aftermath of their most recent escape and find themselves rudely bumped back to square one. This allows the story to keep the initiative with the young protagonists, who may be treated like prizes to be claimed or prey in need of rescue, but are for the most part forced to save themselves. The resulting journey explores first-hand a melange-environment which does for Harare what William Gibson did for New York et al in his Sprawl novels, though this is certainly aimed at a young audience.
These serve to highlight the sheltered nature of the children's original home life: Most of the character development focuses on two personalities. Tendai, the eldest of the three children, is clearly the main protagonist, and while his siblings are both well-drawn they basically conform to type throughout. Tendai on the other hand enjoys a straight-forward but engaging coming-of-age arc, one with what struck me after the fact as resulting in a slightly unusual end-state: The other main character is the Arm, nominally the leader of the three detectives, a string-bean figure whose mutation - unlike the Eye's too-remarkable sight and the Ear's deafeningly superhuman hearing - is emotive: And there are plenty of overloading personalities out there.
Even leaving aside the overt antagonists, some of whom mix their villainy into pleasing shades of grey, this is a grotty world in which even "ordinary" people have their own agendas: There may be no demonic betrayers in our midst but real life is full of people like this, and their presence here lends an authentic air to the presentation of an amazing story world. The Arm's part in the narrative comes to centre on a theme of parenthood, paralleling and amplifying the roles of the children's parents.
Although they are mostly peripheral to the main action, "Mother" and "Father" as they are referred to throughout are not bystanders by any means, and come the final scenes this becomes very much an ensemble piece in which the whole family play their part - with perhaps one exception in their father, the General, whose essentially domineering presence has to be shaken off for the others to express their own worth. The book closes with a rather old-fashioned Epilogue, rounding up the action with a "Tendai grew up to be The She-Elephant did this However, overall I found this a fun read with a bit of an edge to it, culturally informative without being preachy.
Recommended for if I'm judging this right upper tween-age or young YA readers who are hungry for something a bit less familiar than another Western White Adventure. Jun 15, McKenna Colver rated it liked it Shelves: Tendai, his sister Rita, and his brother Kuda, against the wishes and warnings of their strict and influential parents, go out into the world away from their house so they can explore. Unfortunately, not long after they make it to the market, they are kidnapped and taken to the She Elephant, who plans to sell them to the Masks.
To get their children back, Tendai's parents hire the help of three strange detectives whose powers came from the nuclear waste of the power plant near their village; the Tendai, his sister Rita, and his brother Kuda, against the wishes and warnings of their strict and influential parents, go out into the world away from their house so they can explore.
To get their children back, Tendai's parents hire the help of three strange detectives whose powers came from the nuclear waste of the power plant near their village; the Ear, who can hear the tiniest ant, the Eye, who can see the flea on the back of a hawk, and the Arm, who could sense future events before they happened. This book, was both odd and confusing but it was also extremely interesting and engaging.
It went back and forth for me. I loved the incorporation of the African folklore and mythology and how it was woven into this futuristic world taking place in Zimbabwe. At the same time, I am not familiar with this same mythology so I didn't understand it all at first. But I praise Farmer for her creativity and craft of the text. It wasn't hard to read, but I would recommend it to those who are aware of the strangeness of some of the characters as well as making sure they are aware that Farmer is known for creating books that are of this same strange and creative caliber.
Otherwise I think it could definitely be enjoyable to many. It wasn't a favorite, but I still really liked it. Jan 24, Tristan Goding rated it really liked it. One of the coolest YA novels your kid could read! A psychedelic romp through the abnormal recesses of the mind of a science fiction writer who views the world around them as more odd than what tomorrow holds.
The writing is hysterical, the story is full of oddities and wonderment, and at no point does the reader have a chance to catch their breath. I love the characters and the journey and I confess that I've re-read it at least a few times. It's gorgeous without being cloying and sincere withou One of the coolest YA novels your kid could read! It's gorgeous without being cloying and sincere without being preachy. The ending is super satisfying, and, in the end, a little jolting. Nancy Farmer is insane in all the right ways!
Nov 05, Addie rated it did not like it. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This is the worst book I have ever read! I would never recommend it to anyone. This book was full of horrible things I could hardly stand to read. If I didn't have to read it, I would never of had finished it.
The beginning idea was good a good idea, but kept getting worse as the story went on. The characters and their actions were truly evil, attempts to kill an innocent baby, contacting and possessing evil spirits, evil gangs, and attempting to sacrifice children!
The whole thing was terrible! Mar 01, Jontiqua McMillan added it Shelves: This book was amazing!
The Walls Have Eyes
There are three detectives which are eye, ear and arm. I would recommend this book third to fifth grade. Great read anytime even outside of school. The two ideas I have and take from this book is its story quality and you could relate the book to black history month in your classroom. Definitely was a WOW book. May 28, Theo rated it liked it Shelves: The story itself was very fun, but I'll admit I remember very little of it. The real story lies in the time when I began reading this - I was in middle school.
My mom would read it to me before bed. Time happened, and we never finished it. Until now, a week after graduating college, we took turns reading it until we had finished it! Oct 24, Eva rated it really liked it Shelves: Why wasn't I made to read this in 7th grade instead of that? The writing wasn't too elaborate, and therefore easy to understand, and African lore was obviously researched well for this book.
The author did a respectful job of keeping the culture whilst simultaneously adding some interesting twists like holophones and robot maids. This book has actually been on my shelves for years but I never got around to reading it until no 3. This book has actually been on my shelves for years but I never got around to reading it until now, which was a massive mistake on my part.
It was so fun to read! I was interested in chapter one, hooked in chapter two, and fully engrossed by chapter three. I stayed up late the first night to continue reading it because I had to know what happened next! I've read some other reviews for this book, and it seems that some people got a science-fiction vibe from it. In my opinion, it read more like a dystopian like Ready Player One or Divergent. Taking place in the real world just in the future, not on a different planet or on a spaceship or something.
Anyway, it was fun to read; it's earned its place on my shelf. Mar 08, Maureen rated it really liked it. The answer is yes, it does.
"The Detectives" The Walls Have Eyes (TV Episode ) - IMDb
Something I didn't realize before was how good the pacing of the novel is - Nancy Farmer moves the action along, never spending too long in one location, but the story never feels rushed. I'm surprised this hasn't been made into a children's movie yet; it has a good structure for a screenplay, employs African folklore that hasn't been touched by Disney The Lion King doesn't count and has a genuine happy ending to boot.
As a kid's book, this should be five stars, but as an adult I need to give it a four. Konigsberg, who has a style so unique that it stil appeals to me now, Farmer's prose is clearly written for young readers, at a level similar to Harry Potter. It made me think that maybe I shouldn't give Stephanie Meyer such a hard time for her lousy writing style- the difference between writing for smart 12 year olds and mediocre 14 year olds isn't so big.
Nov 02, Jess rated it it was ok Recommends it for: Tried of being trapped in a Zambabwe mansion by overprotective parents, Tendai 13 , Rita 11 , and Kuda 4 set out on an adventure for scouts. A kidnapping changes the path without ending the adventure while also involving dectectives Ear, Eye, and Arm. I liked parts of it - like plastic being collectible - but loads of other stuff was eh.
The dad's overprotective nature came on too strong; I didn't need a comment made about both that and his hidden love for his children every single time he spo Tried of being trapped in a Zambabwe mansion by overprotective parents, Tendai 13 , Rita 11 , and Kuda 4 set out on an adventure for scouts. The dad's overprotective nature came on too strong; I didn't need a comment made about both that and his hidden love for his children every single time he spoke.
I didn't like the dectectives nor did I like how inept they were all three jumping up the moment they recognize a woman they were looking for in a bar - one going for the phone and yelling about calling the police while the others dive for the table? I'm sure the top general in the country would hire you and only you. Some parts of the future setting worked but a good deal was just flying limos with some robots jammed in.
See a Problem?
Also - I don't see myself as a prude, but an 11 year old making an orgy joke on page 10? It wasn't funny but instead seemed incredibly out of place and character: They should have all stayed home and had orgies" Aug 04, Allison Parker rated it really liked it Recommended to Allison by: In a futuristic Zimbabwe, the three children of a high-ranking general sneak out of their sheltered, robot-managed lives for a trip across the city.
But their plans change when they are captured and taken to strange places they never imagined existed outside of their plush house. The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm, a detective team, are hired to find the child using their special abilities which came to them from their mothers' exposure to toxic waste while pregnant. Farmer creates truly fantastic Af In a futuristic Zimbabwe, the three children of a high-ranking general sneak out of their sheltered, robot-managed lives for a trip across the city.
Farmer creates truly fantastic African settings, for example, a marshland completely composed of compacted garbarge where the poorest people mine for now-rare plastic; but these places and situations build upon a recognizable society: The children's odyssey reads like an adventure novel, but readers may also find deeper connections to contemporary issues, both global and personal. Tendai, the oldest child, begins to see not only the world outside his heavily-guarded fence in a new light, but he also recognizes greatness in the family members who used to annoyed or neglected him.
A wonderful read, whether you're a science-fiction fan or not! Oct 12, Redd Becker rated it really liked it. He leaves home with his younger siblings as a boy and returns a man. Each adventure the children encounter deftly weaves core human foibles and what can be learned from them into the plot: Farmer writes in a more literary style than many books these days, but this tale was engaging.
Encounters with interesting characters and compelling situations kept me reading. Farmer created a science fiction alternate-history in Zimbabwe. Three children of a high-level law enforcement official run away from home for a day adventure, but are immediately kidnapped. They escape only to begin a journey filled with many harrowing situations.
While the children grapple with the underbelly of their city, their parents and three detectives Eye, Ear and Arm attempt to find them. Farmer is a much acclaimed author: Jun 27, Manisha Gore rated it really liked it. The first thing I noticed was the point of view. The book is narrated in the third person. The narrator knows all of the characters. However, the narrator is not constant- the point of view occasionally shifts to the viewpoint of ten year old Tendai, one of the Matsika children.
Another interesting aspect of the author's style is the use of many themes.
One of the most prominent of all would be the theme of discovering what the world i In The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm, Farmer has a unique style. One of the most prominent of all would be the theme of discovering what the world is about for the first time. The children in the book are thrown into a world of crime and have to narrowly escape danger and survive- something they've never experienced before coming from a sheltered life as children of a powerful general.
The author uses this theme to create a feeling of danger and tension throughout the high drama scenes. Because the main characters are the children and the narrator knows their thoughts, this style makes the reader see from a child's point of viewers easily. The style makes it obvious to see the big change the children face after they "disappear" from their sheltered life and everything they know changes. Nancy was born in in Phoenix and grew up in a hotel on the Arizona-Mexico border where she worked the switchboard at the age of nine.
She also found time to hang out in the old state prison and the hobo jungle along the banks of the Colorado River. Instead of taking a regular job, she joined the Peace Corps and was sent to Nancy was born in in Phoenix and grew up in a hotel on the Arizona-Mexico border where she worked the switchboard at the age of nine.
Instead of taking a regular job, she joined the Peace Corps and was sent to India When she returned, she moved into a commune in Berkeley, sold newspapers on the street for a while, then got a job in the Entomology department at UC Berkeley and also took courses in Chemistry there.
Restless, again, she decided to visit Africa. She and a friend tried to hitchhike by boat but the ship they'd selected turned out to be stolen and was boarded by the Coast Guard just outside the Golden Gate Bridge. Nancy eventually got to Africa on a legal ship. She spent more than a year on Lake Cabora Bassa in Mozambique, monitoring water weeds.
Next she was hired to help control tsetse fly in the dense bush on the banks of the Zambezi in Zimbabwe. Part of the time she spent in the capital, Harare, and was introduced to her soon-to-be husband by his soon-to-be ex-girlfriend. He proposed a week later. It's a distance director Cary Fukunaga elects to show us in literal terms, with a single shot swooping from Errol's decrepit abode to the bayou, where the pair are subjecting the suspect sheriff Gervasi to the horrors of the Fontenot tape.
As evidenced by his exasperated howls on seeing the acts inflicted on Fontenot, Gervasi isn't actively involved in the occult ring but rather just another person failing to take power to account — unwilling to ask questions of the sheriff who had the Fontenot case marked in error after it was first reported. Throughout its run True Detective has provided its own take on that old Burkean notion of evil prevailing when good men do nothing.
In the show's damning vision of Erath, and Louisiana in general, bad stuff tends to happen as a result of an unwillingness to ever question the old ways: Until recently, that was something you could have accused Marty of being guilty of but now he's committed to the case, and as a result a better detective, assiduous and perceptive in a way he never was during the original investigation. Indeed, this week Marty's skills of deduction reach Sherlockian levels when, prompted by a picture, he twigged that the green ears described on the "spaghetti monster" might have been green paint from a house-painting job.
I guess it's within the bounds of possibility that such a logical leap could be made, but to me it feels inconsistent with Marty's character and that of the show itself, which elsewhere has been at pains to point out that casework is a long and largely fruitless slog, full of red herrings and cul de sacs. Marty's green ears revelation lit a fire under the investigation, leading Hart and Cohle to the former owner of one of the houses painted green around the time of the original murders, whose late husband's tax records indicate the company responsible was a Childress and Sons.
From there, the pair acquire the company's address and the location of their culprit. If the reveal of Errol as the killer last week veered a little too closely towards serial killer cliche, the depiction of him this week crashes head first into it. Errol lives in a squalid house stuffed full of strange hoarded objects I particularly liked the chandelier of tree-shaped air fresheners hanging from the bathroom ceiling. Errol keeps the corpse of his father chained up in a shed daubed with red lettering and black stars. Errol abuses his dog. Errol commits acts of incest with his slow-witted half-sister.
Errol flits between a barely comprehensible deep south drawl and a plummy accent cribbed from Cary Grant in North By Northwest. Errol, in short, is the sort of exaggerated villain I hoped True Detective would run a mile from. In defence of Pizzolatto and the show, the suggestion is made throughout that Errol has been the victim of, and indoctrinated into, a wider culture of wickedness, but in defining him so cartoonishly some of the deeper horror generated by the cult of Carcosa is lost. The same goes for the episode's big, climactic scene, as Rust and Marty trail Errol through Carcosa which, it turns out, is a maze of tunnels filled with the same occult symbols we've seen dotted about throughout the show's run.
On paper it should be a defining moment but the chase seems meandering rather than kinetic and we learn little about the meaning of Carcosa, the Yellow King and the wider mythology hinted at elsewhere. The final showdown, when it does come, is very daft indeed, with Rust somehow managing to deliver a series of head butts to Errol while being lifted off the ground by his knife and Marty surviving a hatchet attack to the chest.
It's left to an ailing Cohle to deliver the fatal blow, dislodging a chunk of Errol's head with one final, desperate shot. Form and Void did have its moments, though. There was nice cinematography: