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It's the story of an epileptic teenager nicknamed Spaz, who begins the heroic fight to bring human intelligence back to the planet. In a world where most people are plugged into brain-drain entertainment systems, Spaz is the rare human being who can see life as it really is. When he meets an old man called Ryter, he begins to learn about Earth and its past. With Ryter as his companion, Spaz sets off an unlikely quest to save his dying sister -- and in the process, perhaps the world.
DaquanMaxey
Posted January 18, 2012
This is my second time reading “The Last Book In The Universe” by Rodman Philbrick and I am somewhat pleased with the content and structure of the book. The story consist of a character by the name of Spaz , who lives in a corrupt version of the world we know today ran by drug lords. Although the book starts out slow, as you read on, it develops a plot sequence, that is interesting. Many characters, like Lanayy, and Ryter, are easy to relate to. Spaz as a character is very realistic and believable , meaning his character is not all mystical and make believe . A good example would be just like the books of Harry Potter , his life is all make believe none of his life is realistic. If you like books you can relate to in your everyday life as a teen ,that contains action, this is the book for you. Rodman Phil brick’s ,whom is the author, style of writing is very suspenseful and creative. He uses literary devices such as symbolism and flashbacks. He uses symbolism when referring to Eden(the good part of the distraught world), which can be symbolized to heaven. Rodman Philbrick also presents many different morals in his book. The main moral is to not judge people by their appearances. This means that if someone looks perfect, that doesn’t mean they are perfect. Which to me and many others create a very addictiveness to the book to keep you reading, and trust me its worth reading to the end for a very explosive surprise. Mostly the events of the story doesn’t match up to the expectations of being as realistic as the characters. Even though the realizations of the events make be lacking in this story, the story is still overall pleasing. As I mentioned before the level of suspense in the book is very high . Which also contributes to how the authors writing style is compared to a book by William Shakespeare, you can obviously point out the differences. The setting of the story really has an dramatic effect on the elements and characters that are in it. Such as how the character Spaz lives in the poor part of town , were he could easily be subdued to dugs and other things in that area. Which also can determine if the story goes on or not. Overall , “The Last Book In The Universe” by Rodman Philbrick is a very action packed and suspenseful story. This was a job well done by Rodman Philbrick the story was a very exciting adventure for me . If you read this book you will be just as pleased with the contents and structure of the book as I am.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.AndresVela
Posted June 24, 2010
This book is amazing, I read it in the seventh grade. This book has imagery out of this world, from dragging people on bikes to the pipe structure of a city. The symbols of a perfect place such as an Eden. I now can't read a book that doesn't implant an image, picture, or own movie into my head. Even the title, "The Last Book in the Universe" puts an image into your head of how the setting of this novel is, a place where reading and writing is a thing of the far past. The first paragraph of the book explains how life is and how people are different. The pros and cons of this new world. This book is great for teenagers and great to use in school as an example of great imagery.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 28, 2013
Hello reader,
I was told i would be reading this book for my la class and when i finished it i just wanted to read more and more. If u dont read this book it will be a major lose one ur part.
Thank you for reading
DaquanBr0w
Posted May 14, 2012
This is my second time reading “The Last Book In The Universe” by Rodman Philbrick and I am somewhat pleased with the content and structure of the book. The story consist of a character by the name of Spaz , who lives in a corrupt version of the world we know today ran by drug lords. Although the book starts out slow, as you read on, it develops a plot sequence, that is interesting. Many characters, like Lanayy, and Ryter, are easy to relate to. Spaz as a character is very realistic and believable , meaning his character is not all mystical and make believe . A good example would be just like the books of Harry Potter , his life is all make believe none of his life is realistic. If you like books you can relate to in your everyday life as a teen ,that contains action, this is the book for you. Rodman Phil brick’s ,whom is the author, style of writing is very suspenseful and creative. He uses literary devices such as symbolism and flashbacks. He uses symbolism when referring to Eden(the good part of the distraught world), which can be symbolized to heaven. Rodman Philbrick also presents many different morals in his book. The main moral is to not judge people by their appearances. This means that if someone looks perfect, that doesn’t mean they are perfect. Which to me and many others create a very addictiveness to the book to keep you reading, and trust me its worth reading to the end for a very explosive surprise. Mostly the events of the story doesn’t match up to the expectations of being as realistic as the characters. Even though the realizations of the events make be lacking in this story, the story is still overall pleasing. As I mentioned before the level of suspense in the book is very high . Which also contributes to how the authors writing style is compared to a book by William Shakespeare, you can obviously point out the differences. The setting of the story really has an dramatic effect on the elements and characters that are in it. Such as how the character Spaz lives in the poor part of town , were he could easily be subdued to dugs and other things in that area. Which also can determine if the story goes on or not. Overall , “The Last Book In The Universe” by Rodman Philbrick is a very action packed and suspenseful story. This was a job well done by Rodman Philbrick the story was a very exciting adventure for me . If you read this book you will be just as pleased with the contents and structure of the book as I am.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.MissVal2507
Posted October 4, 2011
I had never really enjoyed novels until I read this book. It completely changed my perspective on novels!! I loved this book so much that i recommended it to all my friends, who loved it as well!!!
Not only was this book amazing...but it takes you OUTTA THIS WORLD!! Hypothetically speaking of course. lol
A MUST READ!!!!
BinkyPink88
Posted August 31, 2011
I got this book at a school book fair almost 8 years ago....it changed my favorite genre of books to sci-fi. To this day this book is STILL my favorite book to read!!! IT'S DEFINITELY A MUST READ!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Silence-of-Dogood
Posted July 24, 2011
Ethos: I am a somewhat bright 16 year-old, who's read alot of fantasy books.
Review: This story follows the tale of a pathetic, and un-engaging charecter by the name of Spaz (he has epilepsy). This is just one of the many cheezy nicknames you will encounter throughout the book, including but not limited to: Nails (A lady with long nails), Splat gun (Shotgun), and try to guess what this guy does. . .His name's "Ryter" (must be a musician). Moving on. How the story came to be in the first place isn't well explained, but points fingers at a nuclear holocaust. This makes the setting of the book depressing, to say the least. Making me wonder why you would want to read it, if it seems inteded to bum you out. Something notable, is that people in this book are all drugged out on "Mind Probes", a decent metaphor for how everyone in the real world is drugged out on drugs. He uses this to show that doing drugs doesn't help solve problems. It is, however, a little off, considering that everyone in this book is doing the equivalent of heroin, whereas everyone in the real world is doing the much more harmless, weed. The literary level is more like 5th grade, rather than 10th grade (it's chosen level). Thus, you shouldn't learn any new words from it. The only thing that may keep you reading, is the mildly interresting adventure, and the fact that "Ryter" was somewhat ripped off from a very fascinating Harry Potter charecter by the name of "Albus Dumbledore".
orangecrush
Posted June 6, 2011
The last book in the universe is a very good book. It was written by a man named Rodman Philbrick. I would recommend it to anyone who likes good books. Just the thought of something like the "big shake" is the best thing that could happened in this book. In this story take place about 200 years after the big shake
What the big shake was, it was a world split to its earth which was an awesome. All the characters are all very well played. Also another reason why i would recommend this book is because its a very futuristic book.The main characters name is Spaz. Spaz is a boy with epilepsy which makes him not be able to mind probe. This book is just all around good i would recommend it to anyone who likes good.
Omaro
Posted April 1, 2010
The Last Book In The Universe
For English and Literature I read the book "The Last Book In The Universe" by Rodman Philbrick. This book was pretty amazing; it looked and felt so real even though it was fictional.
In this book it told about what happened in the future after a really big earthquake that destroyed buildings, landmarks, and killed lots of humans. It tells how this kid name "Spaz Boy" who is a gang member from the Bully Bangers and one of the survivor from the "Big Shake." He gets a message that his stepsister is sick and she wants to meet him. So he sets on a journey to meet his sister who lives in another gangs land and tries to find her and his step parents, in the journey he meets extordinary people like ryter, little face, lanaya, etc. He goes through a land filled with hungry people who tried to eat him and some of his friends, gets attacked by speeder bikes, and many other adventures.
This book is filled with exciting adventures which makes you want to read more and more. It gets fun and sad, but sometimes it gets violent. I suggest this book to other people like future things.
Anonymous
Posted July 27, 2009
My daughter had to read this book as a summer reading assignment. She flew throught it! She really enjoyed it and it was an easy read!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.MountainView
Posted November 14, 2008
The Last Book in the Universe was really well written. I liked this book because it was very futuristic. I also liked the title and the picture on the cover. It had things like jet bikes and skylarks which are space ships. It also called different parts of the world latches. This book was about a young boy who lives in the future. His name is Spaz. He got his nickname because he has seizures sometimes. He is a nice person but he is mixed up with the wrong crew. Billy Bizmo has him stealing stuff from innocent people. One day while Spaz is going to rob an old gummie, the gummie shows him a book. The old gummie was named Ryter. Ryter shows Spaz the last book in the universe but it is not finished. It still needs one more adventure. When Spaz finds out that his sister is sick, he and Ryter decide to cross the latches to get to Spaz's sister. They come across a young baby and a proove who helps them along their journey. This book is great for any adventure lover or someone who likes to read in general.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Twiiztd
Posted November 1, 2008
OK so like two years ago last summer i read this book in Jamaica. i left it down there and forgot it. And now im looking for some interesting books to read. So im sitting here on this site and the names spaz writer and bean keep pushing into my thoughts. Then i remeber everything except the title. So ive been at this search for almost a month now and ive finally found it....anyway if youre a big reader reader im sure this book wiil catch youre eye...and youll never put it down enjoy...Its great for book clubs
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 6, 2008
When I finish reading the book Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett, I wanted to get more into mystery. I went to the library, to find more books, I was thinking about how would the other books look like, and all of the sudden I read The Last Book in the Universe...strange'I thought'. After words, the book got all of my attention. I read it more than once, is interesting how the last book in the universe is not really a book. Find out why...take a try and read it!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.-Charlene-
Posted October 14, 2008
I Also Recommend:
This book is FANTASTIC! It's awesome.OK this is my story..<BR/>~ When I was walking in the library, I see the name, and I try some pages and it cough my whole attention. The book is about a boy that does all what it takes to save or go see his sister. To me, the the "Last book in the universe" is not really a book. Why do I say that? Well, to find out why I say that, why don't you take a look and read it?<BR/>Here's a tip when you finish reading the book:<BR/>~When you finish, please read the 1 chapter...*Smile*...
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 24, 2008
I liked The Last Book in the Universe,because a kid named Spaz does all he can to save his little sister. He first is sent to rob a guy named writer, he decides not to rob him and they become good friends. They travel through many cities the forbiden kingdom of Eden and also run into many different gangs.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 2, 2008
In the beginning of this book it may sound a little rude or strange but by the second chapter you'll be addicted to it. It starts off when a boy by the name of Spaz enters a latch also known as a home. Then he rips off a gummy,which is an old guy. He notices that he doesn't even care what he takes or anything all he cares about is a book he hides under his concrete desk. He and spaz boy begin to talk a lot and when he gets a message from his foster sister bean he decides to run away from the latch and go help his sick sister,and return to the latch in peace before she dies. Spaz Boy doesn't know it but big adventures awaits him. I'll recommend this book to a reader of Rodman Philbrick books or someone who likes science fiction and or adventures. This book is one of a kind I in fact would recommend this book to anyone period because its so awesome. Just read it and you'll see what I mean.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 5, 2008
The beginning of this book kind of sounds like only a boy will like it because they talk about sticking electrode needles and his name is Spaz. Once you get to about chapter six, it gets exciting. When Ryter and Spaz leave for the pipe it starts to get really interesting. At the beginning of the book Spaz is going to the stackboxs to ripoff an old gummy named Ryter and he has all of his things ready for him to take. After a couple of days he goes back and Ryter wants him to tell him his life story. They end up going to the pipe to help Bean,his sister, who has a blood sickness. I can not tell any more you will have to read the book to find out if she survives or if they make it to her If you like science fiction books this will be the book for you. This book is kind of boring at the beginning,but it get interesting. There is a happy ending, but it is also kind of sad too. So I recommend you read this book to find out how it ends.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 4, 2007
this is one of few books i have read and it is my favorite so far
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 4, 2007
okay the weekend before i bought this book, i had saw the freak and the mighty for the very first time, 'it was on cable'. and i seriously cried at the end. it was just such a moving story that had such wisdom in it, in a strange way i was proud of the movie even though i didnt make it, obviously. but the fact that we have people who understand things that explain in movies or books of this value made me so happy....anyways there was this book drive at my school and i found this book on a selve and the first thing i noticed was the title, it intrigued me. i read a few lines in the first chapter and i knew i had to get the book '!!!!' It only took me one afternoon to finish it and i literaly was gonna cry. i mean i could fel teh water works. i was so happy about how it ened, the way things 'morphed'...i loved how author showed you, or rather let you feel and imagine the transition Spaz, the main character, went through. I JUST LOVE THIS BOOK...and the funny part is i didnt realize the author of this book was ALSO the auother of the freak and the mighty. I WAS OVERLY PLEASED. All i know for certain is YOU MUST GET THIS BOOK. YOU HAVE TO, you wont be dissapointed, i promise. if you enjoy books that allow you to use your imagination to the fullest and let you ponder about wise words within them, THEN LIKE I SAID, GET THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *smiles
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 29, 2007
This would be a very good book for the age range 9-12 as said about the book. This book starts out slow and the starts to speed up twords the middle of the book. I would not recommend this book to anyone who is not into science-fiction but if you are, this is a good book for you. This book describes a time in the future about 200 years after a giant earth quake that destroyed much of the world including many natural wonders and cities, the earth quake also dried up all of the rivers. The remaining humans are now classified into two groups now, the normals and the genetcaly enhanced. The geneticaly enhanched live in a place called Eden that is protected by land mines and is in the center on a place called the Urb. The normals live in the Urb and struggle to survive while those who live in Eden live in the lap of lactury. This book has great details and i recemend it.
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Overview
It's the story of an epileptic teenager nicknamed Spaz, who begins the heroic fight to bring human intelligence back to the planet. In a world where most people are plugged into brain-drain entertainment systems, Spaz is the rare human being who can see life as it really is. When he meets an old man called ...