I know that Garry is going to read this, but I really am not trying to butter him up. I have been know to really put my foot in it when I didn't like something.

I thought the writing style was excellent. The characters were well-defined, the various areas of the attic were clearly described, the action moved along quickly. All of this was accomplished without a bunch of boring description or long explanations. He achieved these things by telling the story -- the sense of terror when the voodoo dolls were coming, the feeling of calm when petting Nelson......a bit about Chloe's character when she was charming Mr. Grantham in the garden. When straightforward descriptive passages were required, they were brief and they were vivid. I thought the book was skillfully written for any age.

I agree with all you said nebraska. I found the writing style flowing and kept the story moving. We learn background on all the characters without too much indepth information. Jordy, Chloe and Alex each had their own story and Garry blended it in smooothly without losing the pace of the story. The attic descriptions were great - scarey, suspensful and kind. I call a book like this a "real page turner". Couldn't hardly wait for the next adventure.
Maybe we are "buttering" you up Garry - but we really liked your book!

I really liked Garry's writing style, too, for all the reasons you have already stated. And I also never felt as if I was reading something that had been "dumbed down" for younger readers. I really respect that in an author, because young readers are very smart and don't need to be talked down to or held by the hand. So it's a thumbs up from me. I really enjoyed the book.

Theresa, that is an amazing observation. But now that you mention it, there was a different feeling to the parts where the attic residents were involved -- almost a sense of immediacy or urgency. I didn't quite "get" what was going on at the time, but I did notice there was a difference.

Theresa, your answer is really great. Maybe the moments with the children were in the past because time did move for them. In their mind, time remains of the essence. Their days aren't void of time yet. But all of this could be reaching on my part. The kids are completing their actions and for Atticans, they're sort of just running in place. Nice discussion ladies.

I am late and see that the subject is pretty well covered. I agree with everyone that it was written well and being an adult I enjoyed it as much as a child might. To be honest I didn't notice the tense changed from character to character but I like the fact that it seems to apply to the time boundaries of the story.
I didn't notice that the bortrekker didn't talk to his rats either. I know he named them Arthur and Harold and they rode in his pockets. There is a line where Jordy says the rats seem to not be used to the bortrekker talking to another human. It made me think either he didn't talk at all or maybe they thought he only talked to them. Maybe he only played music for them.

Because of the nature of this discussion I guess I should add my "two cents" here. Most aspects of Garry's writing,which have been described here also appeal to me . I share all favorable commentary. Theresa's comments surprised me, as I too had not noticed the tense changes and certainly wonder why they were used. The mystery of the author's inspiration and purpose. I got caught up in the word "style" in thinking about the writing. O.K., Garry has a background in science fiction writing, so that is a particular "style" of writing? A style greatly borrowing from the imagined, unknown, fantasy and explorative thinking? Sort of projective thinking? Sorry, but, I do get carried away!! Minds do operate in different channels. So, some of that writing background is evident in Attica. Almost linear. But the intriguing part of his writing is the combination of "science" along with an ability for fireside story telling. I think both talents were evident in this story. It made the experience of Attica very special.

Theresa, you got it in one. Obviously you have a good analytical mind!

I do agree that Theresa was certianly attentive and on her toes. I certainly don't have an analytical mind but I do have a curious one. Now I am trying to figure out why the bortrekker is differnet from the other atticans. Am I the only one in the dark here?