A review by nglofile
I Am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley
5.0
I am usually guilty of gushing when it comes to this series, and this book won't be any different.
An absolute delight. First, a title taken from "The Lady of Shalott". Then, an opening image of Flavia creating a private ice-skating rink in the portrait gallery of her crumbling estate home. Better still, she is working on a concoction to ensnare Saint Nick on Christmas Eve with adhesive on the roof. Add a plot that ingeniously and believably brings a film crew to Buckshaw, and we have perfect holiday reading.
This is one of those books that I keep trying to slow my reading so it won't be over too soon, but I simply can't help myself. Three cheers for Flavia!
EDIT: Part way through my re-read, I was convinced I'd rated this too highly. It is still full of charm and wit, but is it 5-star-worthy? It didn't take long to remind me that the final act renders favorably all that came before. Perhaps not flawless, but still a delightful read, especially as holiday installments go.
re-read (audio): December 2013
audiobook note: This was my second attempt to engage with Jayne Entwistle's narration of this series. She is a favorite of many, including one of my male coworkers for whom this genre is a stretch. However, I have to stand by my initial experience. Entwistle may be an excellent Flavia, but she isn't my Flavia. In the future, I'll be sticking to print.
An absolute delight. First, a title taken from "The Lady of Shalott". Then, an opening image of Flavia creating a private ice-skating rink in the portrait gallery of her crumbling estate home. Better still, she is working on a concoction to ensnare Saint Nick on Christmas Eve with adhesive on the roof. Add a plot that ingeniously and believably brings a film crew to Buckshaw, and we have perfect holiday reading.
This is one of those books that I keep trying to slow my reading so it won't be over too soon, but I simply can't help myself. Three cheers for Flavia!
EDIT: Part way through my re-read, I was convinced I'd rated this too highly. It is still full of charm and wit, but is it 5-star-worthy? It didn't take long to remind me that the final act renders favorably all that came before. Perhaps not flawless, but still a delightful read, especially as holiday installments go.
re-read (audio): December 2013
audiobook note: This was my second attempt to engage with Jayne Entwistle's narration of this series. She is a favorite of many, including one of my male coworkers for whom this genre is a stretch. However, I have to stand by my initial experience. Entwistle may be an excellent Flavia, but she isn't my Flavia. In the future, I'll be sticking to print.