Freak the Mighty Critique

 

Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick is about two friends, Max and Kevin, who have to overcome many difficulties such as bullying. To help deal with their problems, they become companions. Max gives Kevin legs, since he has to use crutches to get around, and Kevin gives Max a brain, since he couldn’t understand and/or pronounce certain words and therefore couldn’t read well. At first, the two were called by their nicknames. Max was called Kicker for his personality as a child, and Kevin was called Freak for the same reason.

I really did like the foreshadowing. Although I didn’t quite catch on to some of them, they were actually enjoyable to read. Another feature I liked was the emotion. It was easier to understand how Max felt since it was in first person, plus, if the book was in third person there would have to be way more description in it. I also liked how the setting was in a place that was small and everyone knew each other, because everyone knew Max because of how he looked.

I wasn’t actually in school when everyone read the book since I’ve been sick, so I might not be able to explain very well. I think Philbrick should’ve explained how Max’s father got out of jail, since it was said he was in jail for the life. However, I have heard a life sentence in jail was 20 years, but then again I might have heard that incorrectly. Another feature that I think could’ve been improved was that there possibly could have been some symbolism, it would have been a neat feature, but since the book is supposed be relatable symbolism could have been minor, since symbolism usually isn’t around unless it’s coincidental or someone actually in the story did it on purpose. I guess allusion would’ve been neat, too, so basically it’s the same deal as symbolism.

This is one of the stories I have to process for a second in order to believe something that’s in the end. It’s basically me seeing how things actually are in certain games like The Witch’s House by Fummy and OFF by Mortis Ghost.