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arirauseo's review
Remember reading this as a kid and LOVING it. It comes to mind every now and then and i get super nostalgic
froydis's review
5.0
This is a really lovely book! although the storyline is quite different - its much darker - it really reminded me of the magical worlds of the Edward Edgar and C.S. Lewis books I loved so much as a child. The ending is very beautiful. Excellent book!
oneangrylibrarian's review
5.0
I loved this book. This is a book that paints with language. I found myself so engrossed in the world and loving the beauty that is hidden in the gray.
wiseowl33's review
4.0
Great story. Pretty interesting to think your best friend could be a ghost. At times it got a bit creepier than I thought it would, but overall LOVED the book!
littleminky93's review
4.0
Along the lines of Lemony Snicket, Mysterious Benedict Society, The Incorrigibles... it was a delightful read (or listen to in my case) with a beautiful ending that reminded me of the Chronicles of Narnia
kennedha's review
4.0
Really enjoyed the story, and with Jim Dale narrating, I enjoyed the listening experience immensely.
lynnmarie78's review
5.0
wonderful! read the advanced reader copy. comes out in Oct. a magical fairy tale.
sisteray's review
4.0
This is a lovely kids book that embraces its unreal qualities. While there certainly is joy and some frivolity to the tone, the book is immersed in a forlorn miasma. The world is callous, life is cheap, and the majority of characters are vindictive and driven by self interest (either financially or by bizarre principal). Even the main characters are a bit snippy and cold. Not surprisingly, when any character does anything in kindness the others are taken aback by the contrast to standard behavior.
The book at times feels at odds with itself as there is a Benny Hill chase that escalates, as the kids absorb OTT side-characters in their wake. At the climax, the whole thing feels like a classic 60s comedy, whose burgeoning characters arrive to pack the finale. The explosive convergence of everyone's whacked-out motivations shows strange in sharp contrast to the setting that has devolved into a bleak Dickensian squalor. But, it does actually come as some relief to lighten the overall tone.
All and all, in embracing its quirks, the writing proves lovely and has all the chops to match any classic children's book.
The book at times feels at odds with itself as there is a Benny Hill chase that escalates, as the kids absorb OTT side-characters in their wake. At the climax, the whole thing feels like a classic 60s comedy, whose burgeoning characters arrive to pack the finale. The explosive convergence of everyone's whacked-out motivations shows strange in sharp contrast to the setting that has devolved into a bleak Dickensian squalor. But, it does actually come as some relief to lighten the overall tone.
All and all, in embracing its quirks, the writing proves lovely and has all the chops to match any classic children's book.
diamondolc's review
4.0
I ended up liking this book overall. I wasn't blown away by it, but it was definitely enjoyable and relatable and I think it makes an excellent children's book. That being said, as an adult, it was a bit difficult to look past its trope-iness. I found the characters to have pretty much zero personality other than the tropes they fit into, which made it difficult to feel invested in their problems at times.
However, I did find the story to be a lot more likable as it progressed. I liked the way everything fit together so perfectly at the end. It was very neat, leaving no loose ends. The metaphor and symbolism of the plot also becomes more and more apparent as the story goes on. I also liked the writing style, which to me felt a little bit reminiscent of other children's authors I've liked before (as in, Oliver's writing style was unoriginal, but in an enjoyable way, if that makes sense).
I would recommend giving this book a try if you're interested in reading it. Most people seem to adore it. Although I can't say I thought it was amazing, I can see why others might think so.
For me this is somewhere between a 3 and 4 star read...but I'll bump it up to 4 stars just to be nice, haha.
However, I did find the story to be a lot more likable as it progressed. I liked the way everything fit together so perfectly at the end. It was very neat, leaving no loose ends. The metaphor and symbolism of the plot also becomes more and more apparent as the story goes on. I also liked the writing style, which to me felt a little bit reminiscent of other children's authors I've liked before (as in, Oliver's writing style was unoriginal, but in an enjoyable way, if that makes sense).
I would recommend giving this book a try if you're interested in reading it. Most people seem to adore it. Although I can't say I thought it was amazing, I can see why others might think so.
For me this is somewhere between a 3 and 4 star read...but I'll bump it up to 4 stars just to be nice, haha.