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lesserjoke's review
4.0
I'm a little torn in my reaction to this novel. On the one hand: it's good quirky fun, with author Louis Sachar seamlessly slipping into his old rhythms a full twenty-five years after the last Wayside School book. I have fond childhood memories of the original series, and I was surprised by how much came flooding back throughout this unexpected sequel. (The therapist who hypnotizes students with a pickle on a chain! The nineteenth floor that doesn't exist! Sachar writing himself into the story as a janitor!) I'm sure there are subtler callbacks that went over my head too, especially since I didn't take the time to reread the first three volumes when I heard this one was coming out.
On the other hand: I don't think this project ever really justifies why it exists, like there was any burning need for a Wayside revival so long after the fact. I also don't feel as though the latest bunch of vignettes is quite as entertaining as those before -- although that could easily be because I'm an older fuddy-duddy now and/or viewing what I remember of last century's trilogy with rose-colored glasses. I'm rounding my rating up a tad, under the assumption that anyone in the right age range to love the previous titles will probably enjoy this latest as well.
Find me on Patreon | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter
On the other hand: I don't think this project ever really justifies why it exists, like there was any burning need for a Wayside revival so long after the fact. I also don't feel as though the latest bunch of vignettes is quite as entertaining as those before -- although that could easily be because I'm an older fuddy-duddy now and/or viewing what I remember of last century's trilogy with rose-colored glasses. I'm rounding my rating up a tad, under the assumption that anyone in the right age range to love the previous titles will probably enjoy this latest as well.
Find me on Patreon | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter
peppermary's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
kfont42's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
For being written so long after the original books, you would never guess. The characters and tone are the same. My son and I laughed a few times throughout.
amberhayward's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
bookycnidaria's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
_reading_with_kate_'s review
I would have finished much sooner but the fingernail and toenail clipping collecting grossed me out.
angus_mckeogh's review
3.0
My daughter and I took our time through this one. Mainly because she’s starting to pick out the words and beat me to sentences. But still an entertaining one for us both. Ultra strange, but in a good way.