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Why Your Kids Should Get to Live Life to the Fullest - And How to Make It Happen Without Sacrificing Your Values
NatalieCoop
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The Stonehenge Family
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The Stonehenge Family

This book is a real treat for anyone who loves artful storytelling. It's a unique blend of art and storytelling that's hard to put down. I've read a lot of fiction books, but this one's got something special. If you're looking for a gift that won't break the bank, this is a great value for money option - it's a win-win for both the giver and the receiver.
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Why Your Kids Should Get to Live Life to the Fullest - And How to Make It Happen Without Sacrificing Your Values

summarizeEditor's Summary

This book tells the story of a scientist who uses his time-traveling invention to build a life that's true to himself and his values. Unlike other time travel stories, this one focuses on the everyday struggles of a regular person. The author's realist approach makes the story relatable and engaging. What I appreciate most is the way the book explores the idea of living life on one's own terms without sacrificing values. It's a great read for parents who want to raise kids with a sense of purpose and freedom, and it's also a thought-provoking book for anyone interested in science fiction and time travel.

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Dil7/10
Kararİyi
Konusu9/10
HikayeKalitesi8/10
Create a cozy family nest in a secluded spot that's off the beaten path. You know, the kind of place where you can escape the crowds and live life on your own terms. Building a safe, stone house that'll keep you protected from even the worst-case scenario - like a nuclear war - is a dream many families share.
During the Cold War, ordinary people in the US and Europe built their own bomb shelters on their private plots. They dug deep into the ground, literally. It wasn't just paranoid individuals who did this; it was regular folks who were spooked by propaganda. Both husbands and wives were involved in this, but most didn't want to cut themselves off from the benefits of civilization. Not everyone wanted to be a self-sufficient sect.
This is the main motivation behind the actions of the main character, a scientist who's invented a way to travel through time.
Unlike other time travel stories, this scientist isn't some kind of 'time guardian.' He thinks, 'What's there to guard?' He's not trying to 'save the world' like some kind of graphomaniac. He's a realist, focused on his own life.
The scientist builds his own life cocoon, and he uses the time travel invention solely for personal purposes. He's not interested in changing the world; he just wants to live life to the fullest.
Here's what he says about it in response to questions from Andrei, one of the time travelers who ended up in prehistoric times, during the life of the scientist's family.
‘– Why didn't you team up with governments? <…> - (Petr Sergeyevich answers Andrei's questions).'
– I'll tell you. And with whom? Specifically, with whom? With the British Empire, with Russia, with the USSR, with the US, maybe with the Roman or Byzantine Empire… our family is collectively much older than all these forms of human organization. <…>Would I give them the time travel technology? <…>And to whom: Brezhnev, Cleopatra, Marcus Aurelius, George Washington…<…>
They went upstairs. Anna handed her father the binoculars.
– Here, take a look.
Petr Sergeyevich, gazing into the distance, asked Anna.
– Were they here last night?
– I think so. I hadn't seen them by midnight, but I'm sure the first convoys arrived around the beginning of the night…
<…>
– I get it, it's a sell-out. – replied Peter. – It looks like five tribes have gathered for the ‘festival’. I call it – Yuri's Woodstock.
– Check that out! – he pointed towards the settlements. – I want to help people from the prehistoric era because they're hard workers, heroes, and wise men. But the humanoid from the 21st century? No way, I don't want to help them.
– These wise men can't even invent the wheel. – noted Andrew.
– They've already invented everything! The wheel is not used because of the axle problem…
Peter's position is understandable, but it's inevitable that some people will condemn it. As the author, Kozik raises the age-old question in Novella I: why save those who don't see the need for salvation and, on the contrary, avoid it like an unwanted and hazardous gift? Why free a slave, whose slavery is his means of prosperity, and if he… sees his ultimate goal in his Destiny before the Creator? By saving him, you're taking away his happiness? Such a slave is waiting to die with a sword in his hand for the Emperor, and you're reducing him to nothing. You've taken away a person's purpose. Who are you after that? The question is far from being settled.
The next step in analyzing the main character's actions is to figure out why he's doing things the way he is within the inner shell of his family social unit.
And the answer to this question is also in the first Novella:
‘– You think it’s all for what?’
– What is it?’ – didn't understand Victoria.
– It. – Peter Sergei gestures around him, slightly agitated. – My whole life. Our life with Galina Vasilyevna here, in this time. This castle, all these adventures, binoculars, airplanes, dinosaurs, ‘lancelots’ included?’
– And…?’
– For the kids, my dear, for my kids... For their upbringing, for setting up their full-fledged life! So they can live a beautiful, rich, and educational life... like an adventure, life as a discovery. That's what a full-fledged life is!
Peter Sergei took a breath and continued:
– You don't need much to survive in a cozy, safe apartment with a guaranteed sense of security. But for a full life, you need everything or almost everything! You can have kids at any point in history, preferably in your own time, but living a full life... Well, the 21st century doesn't allow for that, many things are forbidden under the guise of ‘benefiting everyone.' As a result, everyone suffers, wasting their only life on pointless hustle. That's why our family chose to live in the prehistoric era...’
Try arguing with that?
I highly recommend reading this to all curious minds and anyone who wants to live life to the fullest.
Varvara Kutepova

live_helpFeatured FAQ

What's the main theme of this book?

The main theme of this book is the importance of living life on one's own terms without sacrificing values. The author explores this idea through the story of a scientist who uses his time-traveling invention to build a life that's true to himself and his values.

Who is the target audience for this book?

The target audience for this book is parents who want to raise kids with a sense of purpose and freedom. The book is also a great read for anyone interested in science fiction and time travel.

What's the writing style like?

The author's writing style is conversational and relatable, making the characters feel like real people. The book is easy to get hooked on and is a great read for anyone who enjoys science fiction and time travel.

What's the setting for the story?

The story is set in the Cold War era, which adds an interesting layer of complexity to the narrative. The author does a great job of capturing the mood and atmosphere of this time period.

What's the main character's goal?

The main character's goal is to build a life that's true to himself and his values. He uses his time-traveling invention to explore different possibilities and find a path that's right for him.

Is this book suitable for kids?

This book is suitable for kids aged 12 and up. The themes and messages are geared towards a young adult audience, but the book is still accessible to readers of all ages.

What's the significance of the time-traveling invention?

The time-traveling invention is a key plot device that allows the main character to explore different possibilities and find a path that's right for him. It's a clever way for the author to explore the idea of living life on one's own terms without sacrificing values.

What's the author's message?

The author's message is that living life on one's own terms without sacrificing values is possible and important. The book encourages readers to think critically about their own values and how they can pass them down to their kids.

check_circlePros

  • •The story is well-paced and engaging, making it easy to get hooked from the start.
  • •The author's writing style is conversational and relatable, making the characters feel like real people.
  • •The book explores the idea of living life on one's own terms without sacrificing values, which is a great message for parents.
  • •The story is set in a unique time period, the Cold War, which adds an interesting layer of complexity to the narrative.
  • •The characters are well-developed and multi-dimensional, making it easy to become invested in their lives.
  • •The book raises important questions about the role of values in our lives and how we can pass them down to our kids.
  • •The author does a great job of capturing the mood and atmosphere of the Cold War era, making it easy to visualize the setting.
  • •The book is easy to get hooked on and is a great read for anyone who enjoys science fiction and time travel.

cancelCons

  • •The editing could have been tighter, with some scenes feeling a bit disjointed.
  • •Some of the supporting characters feel underdeveloped, which can make it hard to become fully invested in their stories.
  • •The book could benefit from a stronger sense of conflict or tension, as it sometimes feels a bit too easy for the characters.
  • •The author's realist approach can make the story feel a bit too grounded in reality at times, which can be a turn-off for some readers.
  • •The book's themes and messages can feel a bit heavy-handed at times, which can be off-putting.
  • •The writing style can be a bit too conversational at times, which can make it feel a bit like the author is talking down to the reader.
  • •Some readers may find the book's pace a bit slow at times, but overall it's a engaging read.
  • •The book could benefit from a stronger sense of resolution at the end, as it sometimes feels a bit abrupt.
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