A Review of Holes by Louis Sachar

Introduction

How deep should you dig to change destiny? “From the tip of the steel blade to the end of the wooden shaft” would answer Stanley Yelnats, the character of the novel Holes (1998) by the modern American writer Louis Sachar. The story is full of intrigues, romantic stories about law-breakers, unexpected twists, and parallels of plot; comic, tragic, and fantastic elements—an unforgettable book that won the National Book Award and the Newbery Medal.

A Review of Holes by Louis Sachar

One of the potential titles of the novel was “Wrong Place, Wrong Time, Wrong Kid.” However, the book finally received the significant name Holes: a direct meaning is the holes that the characters of the novel dig in the desert; a metaphor for the difficulties, obstacles, and complexities that teenagers have to overcome.

The novel, narrated from a third-person perspective, tells the story of the juvenile Stanley Yelnats, who mistakenly goes to a correctional camp with the romantic name Green Lake. But this is not a camp of children's dreams. The main character encounters a world of constant trials and punishments. Stanley has to figure out why destiny threw him into this camp and why they are forced to dig holes.

Character Analysis

There are several storylines and many characters in the book. The protagonist, Stanley Yelnats, is the most amazing person. The teenager is not discouraged in the terrible camp and tests himself for strength. He always decides by “heart” and not by “head” and helps everyone unselfishly! I would also like to mention another character of the story—Zero or Hector Zeroni. This is Stanley's friend and the youngest one in the camp, whom everyone considers stupid. However, Zero turns out to be a clever boy with deep reasoning. He says that if you live in a hole all your life, you can only climb up. This metaphorical phrase suggests that in any difficult situation, there is a solution; you just need to find it.

Plot and Setting

The plot of the book is dynamic and structured so that the reader knows a little bit more than the main character and therefore understands all the events. Actions occur in America, nowadays, in the desert on a former lake. Century-old legends about this place entwine in the main storyline. The main character gradually understands the connection of these stories with his life. The ironic, simple, but not brief language and many dialogues help the reader to understand the characters, to imagine them easily, and do not stop reading the book.

Themes and Symbolism

Destiny is the key theme in the novel. The repeated words of a lullaby become a symbol of the variability of life, a symbol of the connection between personality and action. The protagonist will be able to change everything and forget about his bad luck. He realizes that there are no coincidences in life; you just need to make an effort. This message is simple but instinctive.

Louis Sachar’s novel is very symbolic. All details of the story are significant and play their role at certain points. For example, the child’s stay in the camp is a classic initiation, because by digging holes under the scorching sun and under no less scorching observation, the main character matures. The novel also explores the theme of friendship and loyalty, illustrating how genuine bonds can lead to personal growth and transformation.

Conclusion

For me, the mood of the novel turned out to be humorous because in the characters’ lives there are a lot of funny situations and irony. However, I would not call this story a fairy tale because it makes us think about human values. This is a very instructive book. I believe that it will be interesting for readers of different ages, genders, and nations. The book reminds people that in any life situation, you need to fight for your honor, for your family and friends, and go to the end.

References

Sachar, L. (1998). Holes. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.