jgreer's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This book is about a boy who went to stay with his grandparents after his mother died and his father was sent to fight in the war. He was smart but one flaw he had is that he had a wondering mind that would one day lead him into trouble.
One of the things that I like about the book was, the ending because of the action, it was thrilling and fun to read. I overall think that the ending was written well. It was different from the other parts of the book, more fast paced. One thing that I wish for, is that it drew my attention sooner than at the end of the book. The book was hard to get into and the characters, there wasn't one that I like more than the other. It was hard to care about the main character because I couldn't relate to him at all.
One of the things that I like about the book was, the ending because of the action, it was thrilling and fun to read. I overall think that the ending was written well. It was different from the other parts of the book, more fast paced. One thing that I wish for, is that it drew my attention sooner than at the end of the book. The book was hard to get into and the characters, there wasn't one that I like more than the other. It was hard to care about the main character because I couldn't relate to him at all.
pagesofpins's review against another edition
4.0
John Bellairs' gothic adventures for kids featuring Johnny Dixon and Professor Roderick Random Childermass were part of my childhood, complete with Edward Gorey illustrations, but I don't think I ever read the first one until now. Johnny is trying to adjust to living with his dirt-poor grandparents after the death of his mother and deployment of his father, and the school bully is just making things worse. Then Johnny meets his future best friend, the weird, eminently educated, socially awkward professor who lives across the street. The professor tells him a ghost story about a mad priest, and the adventure begins.
No idea why Bellairs set his books in the 50's when they were being published in the 80's--the old fashioned setting isn't necessary to the story, with the exception of that joke about how in 30 years the country will probably be crawling with psychiatrists. It's hilarious, unevenly paced, choc a block with Catholicism, and as cliched and melodramatic as one would guess. I still loved it.
No idea why Bellairs set his books in the 50's when they were being published in the 80's--the old fashioned setting isn't necessary to the story, with the exception of that joke about how in 30 years the country will probably be crawling with psychiatrists. It's hilarious, unevenly paced, choc a block with Catholicism, and as cliched and melodramatic as one would guess. I still loved it.
jamiep8571's review against another edition
2.0
Because Matt bought it for me at his book fair bc he thought I would like it. Too cute! I can't even stand it. It wasn't great but I love that he knows I like a sci fi!
hailbop's review against another edition
5.0
mine had an older cover but it was so good I was super sad when I left it at school.
vincent1126's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
girlpuck's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
chmccann's review against another edition
3.0
I read this for the PopSugar reading challenge prompt "A book you loved as a child." I actually don't have specific recollections of this book, but I knew that I greatly enjoyed reading Bellairs as a kid, and he was instrumental in developing my enduring love of weird fiction and horror.
Unfortunately this didn't keep its magic for me. It had its moments, but felt a little off-key. I was also struck by how much Catholicism forms the backdrop - probably as a Catholic child, I didn't even notice! But as a non-religious adult, it jumped out at me, and made me wonder how accessible the story is to those of other faiths.
Overall, I think the story has weaknesses in plot and pacing that would be less noticeable to a young reader. And honestly I think my experience of Bellairs was greatly enhanced by the Edward Gorey illustrations that appeared in my old editions. They were absent from this printing, and sorely missed.
Unfortunately this didn't keep its magic for me. It had its moments, but felt a little off-key. I was also struck by how much Catholicism forms the backdrop - probably as a Catholic child, I didn't even notice! But as a non-religious adult, it jumped out at me, and made me wonder how accessible the story is to those of other faiths.
Overall, I think the story has weaknesses in plot and pacing that would be less noticeable to a young reader. And honestly I think my experience of Bellairs was greatly enhanced by the Edward Gorey illustrations that appeared in my old editions. They were absent from this printing, and sorely missed.
ashleylm's review
3.0
There's a lot of good in John Bellalirs' writing, and this 3-star book is fine, it's just not exceptional. The ostensible protagonist has little to do, and is for the most part extremely passive. Events tend to unfold despite the main characters' actions, not because of them, and ultimately the adventure is concluded in a sudden, somewhat haphazard way.
But it's pretty much charming throughout, I love how Bellairs' always features older characters in prominent parts, it's easy to read and flows nicely, and when I was a child this would have been spooky as heck. Sometimes I end up with 3-stars as a compromise between the bits I hate and the bits I love, but this is pretty much a solid 3 all the way through: it's the nice, clean Days Inn of children's books. It wasn't the highlight of your trip, but you'd certainly stay there again.
I do want to mention, though, that there's an inconsequential passage in the book about characters meeting by a statue: then it's explained that the statue honors a white woman who killed ten Indians (apparently in retaliation for their having killed her baby, which sounds unlikely). It has nothing substantitive to do with the book, but it rather jumps out as being somewhat upsetting, and not for the reason the author intended back then. So be aware of that, and you might want to mention to young impressionable people something about how standards and mores change over time, and that the book was set in 1951 and written in 1980.)
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
But it's pretty much charming throughout, I love how Bellairs' always features older characters in prominent parts, it's easy to read and flows nicely, and when I was a child this would have been spooky as heck. Sometimes I end up with 3-stars as a compromise between the bits I hate and the bits I love, but this is pretty much a solid 3 all the way through: it's the nice, clean Days Inn of children's books. It wasn't the highlight of your trip, but you'd certainly stay there again.
I do want to mention, though, that there's an inconsequential passage in the book about characters meeting by a statue: then it's explained that the statue honors a white woman who killed ten Indians (apparently in retaliation for their having killed her baby, which sounds unlikely). It has nothing substantitive to do with the book, but it rather jumps out as being somewhat upsetting, and not for the reason the author intended back then. So be aware of that, and you might want to mention to young impressionable people something about how standards and mores change over time, and that the book was set in 1951 and written in 1980.)
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
riflelizards's review
4.0
i remember reading a few of these when i was a kid and loving them, but never realized it was a 12 book series. recently, i was reminded of the series and was curious if they held up — and they do! the book was charming without being childish. i might plow through the rest of the series this summer.
hannahcpk's review against another edition
5.0
For a middle grade gothic, this was actually terrifying. Also, I am a scaredy-cat. That doesn’t help. For fellow scaredy-cats, don’t read this before bedtime!