Reviews tagging 'Confinement'
The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets by Nancy Springer, Peter Ferguson
3 reviews
mrsdarcylynn's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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? No
5.0
The Enola Holmes mysteries are thoroughly enjoyable. Quick, easy to follow mysteries with a well developed cast of characters! I find Enola’s strengths (being clever and being insightful) are equally weighed to some of her weaknesses (being young and inexperienced and rather impatient). Enola isn’t the perfect character, rather she uses what she is good at to fill a niche.
The only piece of this series I find troubling is the handling of mental health issues as plot points. I believe this is a second mystery where a mental illness played a major part in the plot, and I find it slightly disheartening that it was used via a villain. But, I also acknowledge that this book is set in the Victorian era and I *think* the author might be trying to make a larger point? But, since this is middle grade, if I’m not seeing it I’m not sure her target audience is either.
The only piece of this series I find troubling is the handling of mental health issues as plot points. I believe this is a second mystery where a mental illness played a major part in the plot, and I find it slightly disheartening that it was used via a villain. But, I also acknowledge that this book is set in the Victorian era and I *think* the author might be trying to make a larger point? But, since this is middle grade, if I’m not seeing it I’m not sure her target audience is either.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Confinement
bookbrig's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
I love this series of mysteries, but on rereading this one the villain of the piece stood out a lot for all the negative tropes they represented. I'm not sure I'd recommend this particular installment because of that, even though I still like Enola so much as a character. The things that raised flags for me included
Spoiler
the villain having facial disfigurements as well as being accused of "George Sandism." Enola is literally horrified by the villain's face at one point, and it has nothing to do with evil deeds, just with looking "unnerving." It kind of spotlights the regularity of villains being disabled and/or ugly as well as the trope of trans or gender non-conforming villains. It's not that all disability or trans rep needs to be "good" characters, but these tropes are so well worn and hurtful I think I'd avoid suggesting this as a read for kids.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement and Ableism
jennmartin's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Kidnapping, Confinement, Violence, and Mental illness
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