visorforavisor's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
One of the most lovely, absurd books I’ve read in a long time. A very sweet story about a (not explicitly but it’s clearly what’s going on) autistic eight-year-old boy with a special interest in saints and his ten-year-old brother with special interests in real estate and money.
Damien and Anthony live in a UK that’s about to switch over to the euro, and then they find £229370 in cash and have only a very small amount of time in which to spend it.
A ridiculous, whimsical, and hilarious story of inflation, grief, and family.
Damien and Anthony live in a UK that’s about to switch over to the euro, and then they find £229370 in cash and have only a very small amount of time in which to spend it.
A ridiculous, whimsical, and hilarious story of inflation, grief, and family.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
kmg365's review against another edition
4.0
Reread in Feb 2012 for book club. Loved it even more the second time through. Truly a gem.
mpetruce's review against another edition
5.0
Terrific story. I first saw the Danny Boyle movie and loved it so decided to read the book. It's terrific and funny, especially when a cranky St. Peter shows up. Kids will like it too.
abigailbat's review against another edition
5.0
Fourth grader Damian might not be the smartest boy in school, but there are two things he knows for sure. Firstly, he knows everything about saints. Secondly, he knows that if he ever wants something, all he has to do is remind people that his mum is dead and he will be given something. When a bag full of money falls out of the sky three weeks before England's switchover to the Euro, Damian thinks the money must have come from God. He tries to think of a saintly way to spend it, however big brother Antony has other ideas. What follows is a rip-roaring spending spree interspersed with hilarious and touching moments.
The audio recording of this book was fantastic and I would highly recommend it for family listening. Although we have it in the teen section at my library, I see no reason it would be inappropriate for younger readers (although the concept of British pounds and switching over to the Euro might require some explaining).
The audio recording of this book was fantastic and I would highly recommend it for family listening. Although we have it in the teen section at my library, I see no reason it would be inappropriate for younger readers (although the concept of British pounds and switching over to the Euro might require some explaining).
rebecita's review against another edition
5.0
So. Good. The "what if you found a million dollars" premise has the potential to be super cliche, but Boyce turns it into a sort of modern parable that's hilarious and quirky and honest and morally challenging. I have to say that I usually hate magical realism, but I totally bought it here... it brings the funniest and most poignant moments.
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This is still "totally quality." I've said it before and I'll say it again. Audiobooks with British accents. Accept no substitutes.
And ooh - an audiobook within an audiobook! I've never come across that before.
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Finally remembered to pick up another audiobook. I listened to the first 6 minutes on the way home and I was already laughing so hard there were tears. Definitely living up to Framed. Stop writing screenplays and write some more children's books, please, Mr. Boyce! (Or, I suppose I could just watch his movies...)
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This is still "totally quality." I've said it before and I'll say it again. Audiobooks with British accents. Accept no substitutes.
And ooh - an audiobook within an audiobook! I've never come across that before.
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Finally remembered to pick up another audiobook. I listened to the first 6 minutes on the way home and I was already laughing so hard there were tears. Definitely living up to Framed. Stop writing screenplays and write some more children's books, please, Mr. Boyce! (Or, I suppose I could just watch his movies...)
piperbunny's review against another edition
3.0
Really sweet little book, what would you do if you had loads of money suddenly?
I loved Damian, the main character, although all the saints he knew were a bit weird.
I couldn't get my head around the fact that Britain was getting the Euro... I guess it was a way for the author to make sure the money was change, or explain why the kids found the money in the first place??
I loved Damian, the main character, although all the saints he knew were a bit weird.
I couldn't get my head around the fact that Britain was getting the Euro... I guess it was a way for the author to make sure the money was change, or explain why the kids found the money in the first place??
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