Culture 1 Review - The Pull of the Ocean

 

Bibliographic Information

Mourlevat, J.C. 2006. THE PULL OF THE OCEAN. New York City: Delacorte Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780385733489

Plot Summary

On a stormy night, little Yann Doutreleau wakes up his six older brothers, all twins. He lets them know that they must flee their home--or risk being killed by their violent father. Without question, the siblings follow Yann into the wet darkness. And so begins their remarkable odyssey toward the ocean--as well as an unforgettable story of brotherhood.

The social worker investigating the Doutreleau family, the truck driver who gives the boys a lift, the police officer who believes they've run away, the baker who gives them bread--each of the many people the seven boys encounter gives a stirring account of what he or she witnesses. The twins themselves add their voices, as do the Doutreleau parents; but not until the end of the journey does little Yann express his reasons for his galvanizing actions.

Critical Analysis

Sometimes it is just nice to let yourself be taken on a slow, simple ride. Jean-Claude Mourlevat, a known children's author in France, structured this modern-day fairy tale using multiple points of view. He retells the story of Tom Thumb, a character of English folklore dating back in 1621. Our main character, Yann, is not as small as a thumb, but he is incredibly small for his age. He is a 10-year old youngest of a family of three pairs of twins. "He is like a period of a long sentence" says one of the witnesses-narrators of the story. This story is told from multiple perspectives, all who tell the story of these boys running away from a seemingly abusive situation. It follows the boys as they travel from their home in the middle of the night, riding in the backs of trucks, trains, and on foot as they try to reach the ocean. This wandering across various landscapes and meeting different people emphasizes the regional diversity of French culture—linguistically, socially, and economically.

We truly see humanity in a warm glow in the book. The scenes on how the siblings help and protect each other particularly the youngest Yann and the youngest twins are just heart-tugging. As an older sister myself, I loved watching the older siblings care so deeply for their younger siblings. Tossing coats over them when they are sleeping, giving more food to them instead of themselves, even carrying Yann in a bag to save his small legs. The main criticism I have for this book is the weak ending. It left a big question both for the main character. Also what the author would like to send as a message. I know it was a story of love, but I struggled in knowing if there was supposed to be more meaning. In my mind, I would have liked the ending better if brothers went back to their parents and it ended happily ever after, but just like real life, maybe that is the point after all. There will always be ups and downs and unknowns. 

Awards Won & Review Excerpt(s)

*Mildred L. Batchelder Award in 2007

*American Library Association Notable Children's Book for 2007

”Unlike his six older brothers--three sets of twins--who are all tall for their age, 10-year-old Yann is a miniature, no more than two feet tall. However, despite his diminutive stature, his youth, and the fact that he is mute, he is the cleverest of the lot and their unquestioned leader. When he wakes his brothers one dark and stormy night and convinces them that they must leave their parents' farm, they follow him unquestioningly. Sound familiar? It should; it's a retelling of "Tom Thumb." In addition to giving his version a contemporary setting, French author Mourlevat tells the story from multiple points of view. He also invests it with some symbolic weight--Yann can be viewed as a Christ figure. The ending leaves readers a bit at sea, but the story is intriguing, and the relationship among the brothers is heartwarming.” - Booklist

"A well-crafted mystery awaits anyone reading this fabled jigsaw puzzle . . . a memorable novel that readers will find engaging and intellectually satisfying." - School Library Journal, starred review

Connections

*Compare and Contrast with "Tom Thumb" - After reading The Pull of the Ocean, students will compare the novel to the classic fairy tale Tom Thumb. They will use a Venn diagram to identify similarities and differences in plot, characters, and themes, discussing how Jean-Claude Mourlevat reimagined the story in a modern setting.

*Character Perspective Journals - Students will select one of the narrators from the book and write a journal entry from that character’s point of view, describing an event from the story or revealing thoughts and feelings not directly stated in the novel.

*Journey Map Illustration - Students will create a visual map of the brothers' journey across France, highlighting major locations, people they met, and key events. They can include drawings, symbols, or even dialogue quotes from the book to bring the journey to life.