Title: Calvin
Author: Martine Leavitt
First published November 15, 2015
181 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780374380731 (ISBN10: 0374380732)
Rating: 3.81
Overview
In Martine Leavitt’s novel, “Calvin,” readers are introduced to a young man who has always felt a connection to the comic book character from Bill Watterson’s “Calvin & Hobbes.” Calvin was born on the day the last strip was published, and his grandfather gifted him a stuffed tiger named Hobbes. However, after experiencing heartbreak and being diagnosed with schizophrenia, Calvin’s childhood connection to the comic fades away.
That is until Hobbes returns as a delusion, and Calvin is unable to control him. In a desperate attempt to find a cure, Calvin sets out on a dangerous journey with Susie, his childhood friend, and Hobbes, the stuffed tiger that may or may not be real.
Together they embark on a frozen trek to track down Watterson, convinced that he holds the key to their salvation. Leavitt’s “Calvin” is a captivating and heart-wrenching tale of love, loss, and the power of imagination.
About the Author
Martine Leavitt is an accomplished author with ten novels geared towards young adults under her belt. Her most recent work, Calvin, garnered her the prestigious Governor General’s Award in Canada.
My Book of Life by Angel, another one of her titles, was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and won the Canadian Library Association Young Adult Book of the Year award. Leavitt’s other works include Keturah and Lord Death, a finalist for the National Book Award, Tom Finder, which won the Mr. Christie Award, and Heck Superhero, a finalist for the Governor General’s Award.
Her books have been published in several countries, including Japan, Korea, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and the Netherlands. Currently, Leavitt works as a creative writing teacher at the Vermont College of Fine Arts, which is a short-residency MFA program.
She resides in High River, Alberta.
Editoral Review
Martine Leavitt’s Calvin is a beautifully written and deeply moving book that explores themes of mental illness, love, and identity. Published on November 15, 2015, Calvin follows the story of seventeen-year-old Calvin, who believes he is the reincarnation of Calvin Coolidge, the thirtieth President of the United States.
Leavitt’s writing style is poetic and lyrical, which perfectly captures the dreamlike quality of Calvin’s experience. The book is also full of humor and heart, which helps to balance the heavier themes of mental illness and loss.
The plot of Calvin is both simple and complex, following Calvin as he sets off on a road trip to try and fulfill his destiny as Calvin Coolidge. Along the way, he meets a girl named Susie, who helps him to confront his demons and come to terms with his mental illness.
Leavitt’s portrayal of mental illness is both compassionate and realistic, and she does an excellent job of showing the struggles that people with mental illness face in their day-to-day lives. The book also touches on themes of love and identity, as Calvin and Susie navigate their feelings for each other and try to figure out who they are and what they want out of life.
In terms of weaknesses, some readers may find the book to be slow-paced or overly introspective, but this is a matter of personal taste. Leavitt’s writing is certainly not for everyone, but for those who appreciate beautiful prose and complex characters, Calvin is a must-read.
Overall, Calvin is a stunning novel that will stay with readers long after they turn the final page. Leavitt’s writing is powerful and evocative, and her characters are complex and deeply human.
This book is a must-read for anyone interested in mental illness, love, and identity, and it is sure to resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds. I give Calvin a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars.
