Scan barcode
A review by manwithanagenda
The Secret of the Underground Room by John Bellairs
adventurous
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
2.5
Duston Heights' Catholic community has been struck a terrible blow. Father Higgins has been transferred! The good father has featured a few times before in the series, but he's very much the focus of 'The Secret of the Underground Room'.
Soon after settling in his new parish, some ten miles away, Father Higgins reports to Prof. Childermass strange occurrences. Cryptic notes have been left for him that seem like nonsense, but then an apparition of a girl leads him to a curious piece of stained glass.
The Professor's skepticism, which is odd considering everything they've been through, is shaken by Higgins' belief in the matter.
Some time after this last meeting, Johnny wakes up to find Father Higgins in his bedroom. (Uh-oh). It's okay, its a GHOST Father Higgins. The spirit leaves behind a silver apostle spoon tagged with chemical formulae.
The next morning the Professor tells Johnny that Father Higgins' new church has phoned him, saying the Father has vanished! The spoon offers the important clue.
In no universe was that spoon a clue. The tag was a list of elements which made up the alloy that the spoon was made of. Like so many of the riddles in Bellairs' books, no reader on Earth, let alone a child, could figure it out. I suppose public schools are to blame. No one is taught the composition of Britannia metal these days.
Naturally, a trip to England wouldn't be complete without Fergie who insists on mocking Johnny's crucifix while on their way to a haunted island.
The book has some highlights that will entertain a young reader, but adult me couldn't believe that Bellairs didn't take the time to describe England very much and the trip there not at all. What an opportunity lost to describe vintage air travel and a young person's impression of London from above. Bellairs did insert some bits about the Marisco family and piracy on Lundy Island, but we could have used a little more.
I only have one Dixon book left now, and that was finished by Brad Strickland from an outline. It's too bad this didn't have more punch to it.
Johnny Dixon
Next: 'The Drum, the Doll, and the Zombie'
Previous: 'The Chessmen of Doom'
Soon after settling in his new parish, some ten miles away, Father Higgins reports to Prof. Childermass strange occurrences. Cryptic notes have been left for him that seem like nonsense, but then an apparition of a girl leads him to a curious piece of stained glass.
The Professor's skepticism, which is odd considering everything they've been through, is shaken by Higgins' belief in the matter.
Some time after this last meeting, Johnny wakes up to find Father Higgins in his bedroom. (Uh-oh). It's okay, its a GHOST Father Higgins. The spirit leaves behind a silver apostle spoon tagged with chemical formulae.
The next morning the Professor tells Johnny that Father Higgins' new church has phoned him, saying the Father has vanished! The spoon offers the important clue.
In no universe was that spoon a clue. The tag was a list of elements which made up the alloy that the spoon was made of. Like so many of the riddles in Bellairs' books, no reader on Earth, let alone a child, could figure it out. I suppose public schools are to blame. No one is taught the composition of Britannia metal these days.
Naturally, a trip to England wouldn't be complete without Fergie who insists on mocking Johnny's crucifix while on their way to a haunted island.
The book has some highlights that will entertain a young reader, but adult me couldn't believe that Bellairs didn't take the time to describe England very much and the trip there not at all. What an opportunity lost to describe vintage air travel and a young person's impression of London from above. Bellairs did insert some bits about the Marisco family and piracy on Lundy Island, but we could have used a little more.
I only have one Dixon book left now, and that was finished by Brad Strickland from an outline. It's too bad this didn't have more punch to it.
Johnny Dixon
Next: 'The Drum, the Doll, and the Zombie'
Previous: 'The Chessmen of Doom'