Reviews

The Book That No One Wanted to Read by Richard Ayoade

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asliyase's review against another edition

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funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

indieandajean's review against another edition

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funny hopeful informative lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

3/5 Stars for a fun, quick, Pratchett-esque reflection on books and reading for children narrated by the book itself.

I enjoyed The Book That No One Wanted to Read, the characters were fun, the story was quick, and generally speaking it was enjoyable and humorous. There were parts I enjoyed, including the accurate explanation of what happens in book recycling, though I think that it might scar some book loving children.

Unfortunately I also found it a bit meandering, particularly for its intended audience and I felt that the core of the story, the child speaking with the book, was treated almost like an afterthought. There needed to be a better balance between action and exposition, even with the book being as short as it is. Additionally, I really think that we're past the need for shushing librarians in children's books. It's not realistic and it's not encouraging children to look at libraries as spaces they belong is.

Overall this book is a good way to start speaking with children about why books get written, published, and why they do or don't succeed. I don't think that this is the sort of book that most children would pick up for fun, but I think it would be a good classroom read or discussion starter for children interested in writing.

degan_may's review

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5.0

A quick read for all ages with a sweet messaging about imagination, identity, and destiny. Told from the perspective of a book, any book-lover will enjoy this!

isoney's review

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lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I think Richard Ayoade may have read The Strange Library by Murakami. This is better than that, in so much as I appreciated its weirdness a bit more. Liked the illustrations. A little gimmicky, although I’m an adult. I wonder what a 10 year old would make of it? I think its audience is introverted daydreamers. So if you know any, it’s worth suggesting to them.