Holes is a young adult novel by Louis Sachar, first published in 1998. It intertwines the stories of several characters, central among them Stanley Yelnats IV, a boy who is wrongfully convicted of theft and consequently sent to Camp Green Lake, a juvenile corrections facility in Texas. The facility, devoid of a lake but plentiful in holes dug by the campers for "character-building," has a deeper purpose linked to the Warden's search for a long-hidden treasure. The plot delves into themes such as the intergenerational impact of actions, the search for redemption, and the power of friendship.
The novel unfolds through the lens of three timelines. The mid-1800s storyline follows Elya Yelnats in Latvia and his ill-fated love, culminating in a curse that shadows his lineage. The late 19th-century storyline follows the tragic love story of Kate Barlow and Sam in Green Lake, Texas, which transforms Kate into a notorious outlaw. The contemporary story focuses on Stanley Yelnats IV's time at Camp Green Lake. Sachar skillfully connects these narratives, revealing a tale of crime, punishment, and ultimately redemption as Stanley discovers the truth about the camp's activities and unravels the history of his family's curse.
Widely acclaimed by critics, Holes received several prestigious awards, including the 1998 US National Book Award for Young People's Literature and the 1999 Newbery Medal for its significant contribution to American children's literature. It also achieved commercial success, becoming a New York Times bestseller and eventually being adapted into a feature film by Walt Disney Pictures in 2003. Holes stands as a testament to Sachar's ingenuity in crafting a multifaceted story that continues to engage readers across generations.
Themes
The danger of believing in curses and the power of fate
Perseverance and resilience
The importance of history and ancestry
Racial injustice
Redemption and transformation
Friendship and loyalty
The arbitrary nature of authority
The meaning of justice
Setting
The setting of Holes plays a crucial role in the story. The primary location, Camp Green Lake, is situated in the desolate desert of Texas. Contrary to what its name suggests, the camp is devoid of any lake, having dried up over a century ago following a series of events linked to the novel's characters. This parched, barren landscape is where the boys at the juvenile detention center spend their days under the punishing heat of the sun, digging holes five feet wide and five feet deep—ostensibly to "build character," but ultimately serving a hidden agenda of the camp's warden.
Aside from the present-day setting of Camp Green Lake, Holes traverses multiple timelines and locations that are integral to the unfolding mystery. In the mid-19th century, Elya Yelnats, the protagonist Stanley Yelnats IV's great-great-grandfather, lives in Latvia, setting off a series of events that would culminate in the family curse. In the late 19th century, the narrative takes us to Green Lake when it was a flourishing lakeside community, not yet the desolate site it would become. This historical setting introduces the tragic love story of Katherine Barlow and Sam, a tale of love that ends in sorrow, further intertwining with the present ordeal of Stanley Yelnats IV.
The disparate threads of past and present, spanning continents and generations, converge at Camp Green Lake, making the setting an essential element in understanding the novel's complex plot and themes.
Characters
Stanley Yelnats IV ("Caveman"): The protagonist, a 14-year-old boy who has been sent to Camp Green Lake for a crime he did not commit.
Zero (Hector Zeroni): A fellow camper, the best digger and smallest inmate, who becomes Stanley's close friend.
X-Ray (Rex Washburn): The unofficial leader of the boys at Camp Green Lake, who wears glasses.
Squid (Alan): A member of Group D and one of X-Ray’s closest friends at Camp Green Lake.
Armpit (Theodore Johnson): A friend of X-Ray and enforcement within the camp, who gets stung by a scorpion.
Magnet (José): A Camp Green Lake inmate, known for his "magnetic" hands that steal.
ZigZag (Ricky): A tall, crazy-looking camper who stands out for his behavior.
Twitch (Brian): A car thief who arrives at camp after Stanley, known for his constant twitching.
The Warden (Louise Walker): The abusive and violent manager of Camp Green Lake, whose hidden agenda is hunting for treasure.
Mr. Sir (Marion Sevillo): One of the counselors, known for his sunflower seed habit.
Mr. Pendanski: Group D's counselor, who is often mean under a friendly guise.
Katherine Barlow ("Kissin' Kate Barlow"): A former schoolteacher turned outlaw, significant to Camp Green Lake's history.
Sam: An African-American onion farmer who was romantically involved with Katherine Barlow.
Charles "Trout" Walker: The rich and spoiled antagonist from Green Lake's past.
Stanley Yelnats I: Stanley’s great-grandfather, whose stolen loot plays a key role in the story.
Madame Zeroni: An old Egyptian fortune teller; who curses Elya Yelnats for breaking a promise.
Myra Menke: The object of Elya Yelnats's affection in his youth.
Igor Barkov: A pig farmer competing for Myra Menke’s hand in marriage against Elya Yelnats.
Mr. Yelnats (Stanley Yelnats III): Stanley’s inventor father, unlucky but optimistic.
Mrs. Yelnats: Stanley’s supportive mother.
Barf Bag (Louis): A camper prior to Stanley who gets bitten by a rattlesnake, deliberately.
FAQs
What is the novel about?
Holes centers on Stanley Yelnats, a 14-year-old boy who is sent to a juvenile detention camp for a crime he did not commit. At Camp Green Lake, the young inmates are forced to dig holes as punishment. Stanley soon realizes there is more going on at the camp, as the warden is searching for something buried under the dried-up lake. The story also follows parallel narratives from the past, involving Stanley's ancestors and the origins of Camp Green Lake.
Who are the main characters?
The main characters include Stanley Yelnats IV and his best friend, Zero (Hector Zeroni); the Warden at Camp Green Lake; the notorious outlaw Kissin' Kate Barlow; and Stanley's ancestors, Elya Yelnats and Madame Zeroni.
What themes does the novel explore?
The major themes in Holes include friendship, fate and family curses, racism, fairytales and folklore, masculinity and boyhood, labor and hardship, and the significance of names.
How was the novel received by critics?
Holes received numerous accolades, including the 1998 National Book Award for Young People's Literature and the 1999 Newbery Medal. It was praised for its complex plot, character development, and representation of diverse characters and themes.
What inspired Louis Sachar to write this book?
Sachar credits his dislike for the heat in Texas, where his family lived, with sparking his idea for Holes. He wanted to write an adventurous story that could be understood by young readers while still pleasing himself as a writer.
How does the novel incorporate elements of fairy tales and folklore?
Holes includes fairy tale elements like curses, magic, heroic protagonists overcoming challenges, and the power of names. The story of Stanley's ancestor Elya Yelnats closely follows a fairy tale structure.
What is the significance of the setting, Camp Green Lake?
Despite its name, Camp Green Lake is a barren desert with no lake, reflecting the irony and harsh conditions the boys face. The setting also connects to the parallel narratives from the past, when Green Lake was a flourishing town.
How does the novel explore themes of labor and masculinity?
The forced manual labor of digging holes is an unusual depiction of childhood in literature. Masculinity is portrayed through the separation from feminine traits, with women and girls often portrayed as undesirable or incapable.
What role does friendship play in the story?
Friendship is a central theme, particularly the bond between Stanley and Zero. Their agreement to help each other highlights the importance of friendship and loyalty in overcoming adversity.
Has the novel been adapted into other media?
Yes, Walt Disney Pictures released a film adaptation of Holes in 2003, directed by Andrew Davis and with a screenplay by Louis Sachar. Holes also has two companion novels, Stanley Yelnats' Survival Guide to Camp Green Lake (2003) and Small Steps (2006).
Quotes
"'If only, if only,' the woodpecker sighs, 'The bark on the tree was as soft as the skies.' While the wolf waits below, hungry and lonely, Crying to the moo-oo-oon, 'If only, If only.'"
"It was all because of his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing great-great-grandfather!"
"Rattlesnakes would be a lot more dangerous if they didn't have the rattle."
"You make the decision: Whom did God punish?"
"When you spend your whole life living in a hole, the only way you can go is up."
"You have only one life, make the most of it."
Quick facts
Holes was spent more than 150 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and was ranked #1 for Young Adult fiction.
The book's unique setting, Camp Green Lake, which is neither a camp nor has a lake, serves as an ironic backdrop to the story and contributes significantly to the development of its themes.
Louis Sachar came up with the idea for Holes because he wanted to write a story set in a hot, desolate location, inspired by his dislike for the heat in Austin, Texas, where he lives.
The book was followed by a sequel titled Small Steps in 2006, which centers on Armpit, one of the secondary characters in Holes.
The characters' names in Holes often have special meanings or play on words, like Stanley Yelnats, whose last name is "Stanley" spelled backwards, reflecting the theme of fate and interconnectedness.
About the author
Louis Sachar is an American author renowned for his contributions to children's literature. His notable works include the critically acclaimed novel Holes (1998), which earned him the US National Book Award for Young People's Literature and the Newbery Medal for outstanding contribution to American literature for children. He also wrote the screenplay for the 2003 film adaptation of Holes by Walt Disney Pictures. His other books for children include the Wayside School series and the standalone novels The Cardturner (2010) and Fuzzy Mud (2015).
Born in 1954 in East Meadow, New York, Sachar moved with his family to Tustin, California, at age nine. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of California, Berkeley, with a degree in Economics, followed by a law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. While working part-time as a lawyer, he began writing stories for children and published his first book, Sideways Stories from Wayside School, in 1978. From there, his literary career gained momentum, allowing him to commit to writing full-time by 1989.
Sachar is recognized for blending humor and mystery with a deep understanding of young readers’ perspectives, bringing real-world authenticity and empathy to his characters and settings. His works have been influenced by his personal experiences, from his work as a teacher's aide during his university days to his dislike for the summer heat, as well as his wife's insights as an elementary school counselor. Despite his success, Sachar maintains a unique writing ritual—he isolates himself from the outside world, with the sole companionship of his dogs, until each new book is complete, underpinning his immersive approach to storytelling. Married to Carla Askew since 1985 and a father to one daughter, Sachar makes his home in Austin, Texas.
