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bardicbramley's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely adored this story.
It was gripping, action-packed, and original.
I'm a big fan on fantasy books anyway, so this was exactly to my taste, but I felt the story touched on perfect amounts of morality, action, mystery and humour.
The characters were well developed, not overly irritating but with realistic flaws and actions. The morals were sweet and true to life, and the plot line felt fulfilling and progressively unfolded at a natural pace.
I would definitely consider this as a great recommendation for primary aged children, although it does have small sections that might cause distress for younger children. I would even recommend this novel as a class focus piece as it would be perfect to work with as a cross curriculum teaching resource!
It was gripping, action-packed, and original.
I'm a big fan on fantasy books anyway, so this was exactly to my taste, but I felt the story touched on perfect amounts of morality, action, mystery and humour.
The characters were well developed, not overly irritating but with realistic flaws and actions. The morals were sweet and true to life, and the plot line felt fulfilling and progressively unfolded at a natural pace.
I would definitely consider this as a great recommendation for primary aged children, although it does have small sections that might cause distress for younger children. I would even recommend this novel as a class focus piece as it would be perfect to work with as a cross curriculum teaching resource!
toniherrero's review against another edition
4.0
La imaginació d'A.F. Harrold és prodigiosa, com també ho és la capacitat d'aquest llibre per tornar-nos de cop a la infantesa: aventures inventades amb amics imaginaris, éssers fantasmagòrics que provoquen esgarrifances, monstres disfressats d'homes vulgars,...
Vet aquí un conte fosc, molt fosc, per nens d'avui en dia. Una història amb ànima capaç d'enlluernar-nos amb els protagonistes imaginaris però també de deixar-nos garratibats amb uns éssers malèfics dignes del millor i més macabre Tim Burton. Entenc perquè aquest llibre ha captivat tant a joves com a infants: no els amaga res, els parla de tu a tu, d'allò que coneixen però també d'allò que temen.
A.F. Harrold és un noi en un cos d'home, un vailet amb barba i barret que atresora dins del seu cor la passió per la millor literatura fantàstica, aquella que ens iguala (tant se val d'on venim, en què creiem, si som pobres o rics) i ens converteix a tots en nens.
Vet aquí un conte fosc, molt fosc, per nens d'avui en dia. Una història amb ànima capaç d'enlluernar-nos amb els protagonistes imaginaris però també de deixar-nos garratibats amb uns éssers malèfics dignes del millor i més macabre Tim Burton. Entenc perquè aquest llibre ha captivat tant a joves com a infants: no els amaga res, els parla de tu a tu, d'allò que coneixen però també d'allò que temen.
A.F. Harrold és un noi en un cos d'home, un vailet amb barba i barret que atresora dins del seu cor la passió per la millor literatura fantàstica, aquella que ens iguala (tant se val d'on venim, en què creiem, si som pobres o rics) i ens converteix a tots en nens.
kba76's review against another edition
4.0
Amanda Shuffleup is highly imaginative, but also totally self-absorbed. She has a wonderful imaginary friend, called Rudger, but only really makes use of him to make herself feel better or to gain in some way. Her mother goes along with her imaginative play, in a way that seems a little odd for a girl the age I imagine Amanda to be. For everything that is charming about this book, there is something that is less appealing.
Things tick along smoothly until the sinister Mr Bunting and his own imaginary friend appear. They need Rudger in order to survive, and almost succeed.
Though the novel itself seems quite childish, it has moments of creepiness and it encourages readers to consider what it means to lose someone you love.
A curious read, which I can't help but feel is more for the adults than its intended audience.
Things tick along smoothly until the sinister Mr Bunting and his own imaginary friend appear. They need Rudger in order to survive, and almost succeed.
Though the novel itself seems quite childish, it has moments of creepiness and it encourages readers to consider what it means to lose someone you love.
A curious read, which I can't help but feel is more for the adults than its intended audience.
m3l89's review against another edition
4.0
I read this for a children's book award through work and the library had this classed as junior fiction. There was a menacing tone to the story which was personified by Mr Bunting and his pursual of Rudger and the other Imaginaries. I thought the illustrations were very good and complemented the plot well.
hopebrockway's review against another edition
2.0
I tend to make wild predictions and, if the book does not follow the feelings I imagined, I get disappointed. I've learned this about myself. Yeah, it's not good, but that's how I live my life.
And, as you might surmise from my rating, that's exactly what happened in this book.
I was expecting something magical and light and funny and whimsical and that's not what happened. It was a bit scary and darker than I initially thought. I found myself slogging through the pages. The only reason I finished this was because of the book's length.
Yeah, not really a vote of confidence. So sorry.
First of all, there's a huge spoiler in the preface of the book. It tells what happens in the middle at the very beginning. So it was a bit confusing to read that then actually start with the main characters meeting. Like did this really happen? Has this already happened and I'm reading the aftermath? How does this make sense?
It was a time.
And not one that I enjoyed.
Then there was the creep factor. I'm not a fan of scary stories (or most things creepy, for that matter), so even the slightest scary thing is enough to send me running. So, Mr. Bunting--who I did not expect to even be in this story--really freaked me out. And his goth/vampire/super creepy sidekick was absolutely terrifying.
Okay, okay, so I know most of the stuff I've complained about is in the actual blurb of the book, but I swear it wasn't there before (or maybe my memory's not what it once was). When I added this to my tbr eons ago, I don't remember anything about Mr. Bunting and his freaky girl friend (or friend who's a girl, if you prefer).
I do have to say, though, that the illustrations were gorgeous. They were the whimsical, fantastical parts of the book I was missing. I love them.
And Amanda and Rudger's interactions were super sweet. I love them.
So this was not the book for me. If you enjoyed this book, great. If you like creepy stories with goth girls and men who wear Hawaiian shirts, then great. Read this book.
But, if you don't really enjoy those things, then don't. And please don't read this to kids. It's genuinely frightening.
And, as you might surmise from my rating, that's exactly what happened in this book.
I was expecting something magical and light and funny and whimsical and that's not what happened. It was a bit scary and darker than I initially thought. I found myself slogging through the pages. The only reason I finished this was because of the book's length.
Yeah, not really a vote of confidence. So sorry.
First of all, there's a huge spoiler in the preface of the book. It tells what happens in the middle at the very beginning. So it was a bit confusing to read that then actually start with the main characters meeting. Like did this really happen? Has this already happened and I'm reading the aftermath? How does this make sense?
It was a time.
And not one that I enjoyed.
Then there was the creep factor. I'm not a fan of scary stories (or most things creepy, for that matter), so even the slightest scary thing is enough to send me running. So, Mr. Bunting--who I did not expect to even be in this story--really freaked me out. And his goth/vampire/super creepy sidekick was absolutely terrifying.
Spoiler
And when Amanda saw aforementioned goth/vampire/super creepy sidekick illuminated by the lightning and freaked, so did I. I almost stopped reading right then and there.Okay, okay, so I know most of the stuff I've complained about is in the actual blurb of the book, but I swear it wasn't there before (or maybe my memory's not what it once was). When I added this to my tbr eons ago, I don't remember anything about Mr. Bunting and his freaky girl friend (or friend who's a girl, if you prefer).
I do have to say, though, that the illustrations were gorgeous. They were the whimsical, fantastical parts of the book I was missing. I love them.
And Amanda and Rudger's interactions were super sweet. I love them.
So this was not the book for me. If you enjoyed this book, great. If you like creepy stories with goth girls and men who wear Hawaiian shirts, then great. Read this book.
But, if you don't really enjoy those things, then don't. And please don't read this to kids. It's genuinely frightening.
stenaros's review against another edition
4.0
The story of a girl and her imaginary friend from the imaginary friend's point of view. This was a great combination of text and illustrations, with one illustration scaring the bejeezus out of me. I found this British book to be scarier than similar US texts, which is something to keep in mind.
abbylynn000's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
tcbueti's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. Terrific. Imaginary friend scenario goes from cute to terrifying, as Amanda’s imaginary friend Rudger tries to escape from being eaten by an ancient man, Mr. Bunting, Bunting has survived for centuries (?) by eating imaginaries who have been forgotten and are fading; he has his own, very creepy imaginary, a pale, dark-haired, silent, strong and nameless girl who helps him catch his prey. Rudger has to find Amanda (who is unconscious) and make her remember him. In the meantime he’s safe in the library, where other imaginaries wait for reassignment (a là Monsters, Inc?)
Gravett’s illustrations beautifully clarify the real/ imaginary aspects, adding pops of color like Wizard of Oz (talk about why THOSE creatures are in color.) and add such dimension and detail. Perfect.
CLEVER, slyly funny and touching. Amanda is a great character: manipulative, bossy and stubborn in the best way. Rudger is good and loyal. Their rescuer is unexpected.
Hard to put down.
Bunting is like the DEMENTORS in HP.
Oooh, this was reminding me of Song from Somewhere Else, with its touching but creepy vibe and now I see it’s by the same author.
Gravett’s illustrations beautifully clarify the real/ imaginary aspects, adding pops of color like Wizard of Oz (talk about why THOSE creatures are in color.) and add such dimension and detail. Perfect.
CLEVER, slyly funny and touching. Amanda is a great character: manipulative, bossy and stubborn in the best way. Rudger is good and loyal. Their rescuer is unexpected.
Hard to put down.
Bunting is like the DEMENTORS in HP.
Oooh, this was reminding me of Song from Somewhere Else, with its touching but creepy vibe and now I see it’s by the same author.
katevrst's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25