royallyreading's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
hstapp's review against another edition
3.0
This one's a pretty good adventure and Nancy solves the mystery before the end! I wonder if ned is going to become a regular.
bargainsleuth's review against another edition
4.0
Once again, Nancy, Bess and George find a woman and child down on their luck with no money and a missing husband, who is supposed to be looking for work. While returning home from a carnival, Nancy and gang come upon a mansion engulfed in flames. Nancy tries to run toward the house to see if anyone needs help, and sees a man dart through the bushes and run off into the woods. But of course, he dropped something: a diary. It is written in Swedish, and even our almost-perfect Nancy does not know the language. As with most Nancy Drew mysteries, the destitute woman and daughter are tied to the man who dropped the diary.
Nancy withholds information from the police repeatedly because they are not that good at their job and rush to judgment. ?!!
I grew up on the Revised Texts, so Ned Nickerson was always around. In this, the Original Text, we meet Ned for the first time and see Nancy as a somewhat bashful young lady when around Ned. It was nice to read how their relationship started.
And kudos on the introduction to the Applewood edition. I agree wholeheartedly with Maron--George was who held my interest throughout the series. The short dark hair, the athletic build, the bluntness, the tomboyishness, that was me growing up. I'm glad to read someone else who shares my opinion.
Nancy withholds information from the police repeatedly because they are not that good at their job and rush to judgment. ?!!
I grew up on the Revised Texts, so Ned Nickerson was always around. In this, the Original Text, we meet Ned for the first time and see Nancy as a somewhat bashful young lady when around Ned. It was nice to read how their relationship started.
And kudos on the introduction to the Applewood edition. I agree wholeheartedly with Maron--George was who held my interest throughout the series. The short dark hair, the athletic build, the bluntness, the tomboyishness, that was me growing up. I'm glad to read someone else who shares my opinion.
bargainsleuth's review against another edition
4.0
One of the troubles of reading the Original Text Nancy Drews and then immediately reading the Revised Text is the threat of boredom because in many cases, it's the same story, just shortened and cleaned up of stereotyping language. That's how I felt when I started this RT version of The Clue in the Diary. It was almost identical to the OT, with a few minor revisions to the story. It was when the story diverged from the OT that things really picked up for me.
Every Nancy Drew fan that reads the OT and RT side-by-side says the OT is better, and in some ways yes, but in other ways no. RT Nancy has much more plausible story. She actually does more investigating instead of just stumbling onto things. Situations that didn't make sense in the original are changed so that they do make sense to the story. Racial stereotypes are pretty much gone in the RTs, as well. I prefer the RT most of the time, including this story.
Every Nancy Drew fan that reads the OT and RT side-by-side says the OT is better, and in some ways yes, but in other ways no. RT Nancy has much more plausible story. She actually does more investigating instead of just stumbling onto things. Situations that didn't make sense in the original are changed so that they do make sense to the story. Racial stereotypes are pretty much gone in the RTs, as well. I prefer the RT most of the time, including this story.
zenithharpink's review against another edition
4.0
Another typical Nancy Drew mystery, which of course I enjoyed. We learn more about Nancy's awesomeness (apparently she is somewhat acquainted with Swedish), and she meets Ned Nickerson! Nancy, Bess and George help another family less fortunate than themselves, and the day is saved. Phew!
dixiet's review against another edition
3.0
Sweet and enjoyable. These books were ahead of their time in providing smart, capable, independent heroines for us when we were girls.
alderson3839's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Finally, get to meet Ned, Nancy's main boy!
feliciar33ds's review against another edition
4.0
Listened to Laura Linney reading this on Audible - super fun!
the_books_music_life's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Not my favorite, that could also be because I'm in a slight reading slump. We are finally introduced to Ned though.
I think I'm going to take a small break my Nancy Drew and read some other things then come back and finish.
I think I'm going to take a small break my Nancy Drew and read some other things then come back and finish.
the_ghost_penguin_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75