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samschnell19's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
meganlee96's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't know this was a book before I watched the film and when I found out I had to read it straight away.
I loved this book, it was a lovely old style heart warming story.
The illustrations were so beautiful and really added to the story.
I loved this book, it was a lovely old style heart warming story.
The illustrations were so beautiful and really added to the story.
scottjp's review against another edition
4.0
I remember seeing this book when I was in grade school but for some reason I never did read it then. Maybe I thought it looked too spooky? (I was a timid child, though I was perversely attracted to such things.) Anyway, I have always loved stories about weird houses and this particular title always stuck with me, so when I saw this in a library sale a few days back for fifty cents I decided to correct my youthful oversight.
I really, really liked this book and its slightly quirky characters. Despite the ominous backdrop, the story has a rather whimsical tone (helped by the Edward Gorey illustrations), and I laughed out loud quite a bit. I was also pleased to find the book is not written down at all just because it is for kids. They will get a good vocabulary exercise and may even have to find out what certain (gasp!) old things are! (The story takes place in 1948.) Finally, being published in 1973, it is untouched by our current political correctness gone mad; alcohol is occasionally drunk, and Uncle Jonathan even smokes a hookah.
I was slightly let down by the resolution of the story; after all the mysterious buildup, it felt a bit simple. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this to children, as well as to grownups who want to take a side-trip down memory lane. There are few authors today who are writing for kids (or young adults, for that matter) with such intelligence and class. I am glad to see it is still in print.
I really, really liked this book and its slightly quirky characters. Despite the ominous backdrop, the story has a rather whimsical tone (helped by the Edward Gorey illustrations), and I laughed out loud quite a bit. I was also pleased to find the book is not written down at all just because it is for kids. They will get a good vocabulary exercise and may even have to find out what certain (gasp!) old things are! (The story takes place in 1948.) Finally, being published in 1973, it is untouched by our current political correctness gone mad; alcohol is occasionally drunk, and Uncle Jonathan even smokes a hookah.
I was slightly let down by the resolution of the story; after all the mysterious buildup, it felt a bit simple. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this to children, as well as to grownups who want to take a side-trip down memory lane. There are few authors today who are writing for kids (or young adults, for that matter) with such intelligence and class. I am glad to see it is still in print.
spudnugs96's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
gabby_books's review against another edition
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? No
2.5
res_curans's review against another edition
4.0
Fun proto-Harry Potter magical gothic mystery cozy YA lit. Solid, traditional storyline leading up to an explosive confrontation with the central villain, with just the right amount of horror, often suggested rather than spelled out. The adults are kind, and provide a feeling of safety to keep things from getting too intense. (There is quite a lot of cocoa and cookies going around, to add to the cozy feel.) I also appreciate the straightforward and friendly narration, something you don't get a lot of these days, and probably why the HP books are so popular. Lastly, it makes some rather keen observations about guilt and secrecy sort of in line with Crime and Punishment -- a nice contrast from Potter who is basically a wish-fulfillment can-do-no-wrong protagonist.
mschrokosch's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not the age range for this story but I find it very cute, great story for kids. I would very much recommend them.