Book Review: The Cardturner by Louis Sachar

SYNOPSIS:
How are we supposed to be partners? He can’t see the cards and I don’t know the rules!
The summer after junior year of high school looks bleak for Alton Richards. His girlfriend has dumped him to hook up with his best friend. He has no money and no job. His parents insist that he drive his great-uncle Lester to his bridge club four times a week and be his cardturner—whatever that means. Alton’s uncle is old, blind, very sick, and very rich.
But Alton’s parents aren’t the only ones trying to worm their way into Lester Trapp’s good graces. They’re in competition with his longtime housekeeper, his alluring young nurse, and the crazy Castaneda family, who seem to have a mysterious influence over him.
Alton soon finds himself intrigued by his uncle, by the game of bridge, and especially by the pretty and shy Toni Castaneda. As the summer goes on, he struggles to figure out what it all means, and ultimately to figure out the meaning of his own life.
Through Alton’s wry observations, Louis Sachar explores the disparity between what you know and what you think you know. With his incomparable flair and inventiveness, he examines the elusive differences between perception and reality—and inspires readers to think and think again.

SYNOPSIS:
I am getting into these becoming of age stories and I enjoyed this one. I liked Alton from the very start. He was set up just like a normal teenager would act. I also loved his uncle. He wasn't a likable character in the beginning, but you got used to him. I didn't like Alton's mom or dad at all. All they were after was Lester's money. That pissed me off throughout the whole book. And then when he died, they felt guilty. Good, I hope you feel guilty! I didn't really like Toni and Alton' relationship. It was clear that they liked each other and then she went out with Alton's "best" friend! And let me tell you, hes a piece of shit too! He is just a player. I'm pretty sure he didn't care about Toni and didn't have the decency to tell Katie he didn't want to go out with her anymore. I liked all Lester's friends though. They were so funny and I loved all the stories they told. This was a great book. I recommend it if you are a fan of cards or bridge especially. I rated this book a 3/5 stars.