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christiana's review against another edition
2.0
More a marketing tool than anything (not that there's anything wrong with that! I like supporting public schools with no money and underprivileged children!), so kind of forgettable.
missbookiverse's review against another edition
3.0
Grundlage dieser Anthologie ist der Mord an Lektor Herman Q. Mildew. Jeder der 80 Autoren muss nun in wenigen Seiten sein Alibi bzw. seine Unschuld schildern.
Achtzig. Ja, da habt ihr richtig gelesen. Die Plädoyers sind alle recht kurz und lassen sich wunderbar in kleinen Happen lesen. Trotzdem ist 80 eine beachtliche Zahl und hat sich als zu hoch erwiesen. Das lag vor allem daran, dass die Texte zwar alle gut geschrieben sind, sich aber auf Dauer zu sehr ähneln. Die meisten sind wirklich nur Statements und erzählen keine eigene Story mit Spannungsbogen und allem drum und dran. Hintereinander weg kann man dieses Buch also nicht lesen ohne sich zu langweilen, für kurze Bahnfahrten oder Wartezeiten ist es aber gut geeignet.
Richtig schade ist, dass die Geschichten nicht mehr zusammenhängen. Man kann sich durch sie zwar ein gutes Bild von der Person Herman Mildew machen – Details wie seine Vorliebe für Stinkekäse stimmen durchaus überein – aber man hat nicht die Möglichkeit den Mordfall selbst mit aufzuklären.
Ich glaube man hat generell mehr Spaß mit diesem Buch, wenn man viele der Autoren schon kennt. Man hat dann einfach ein Bild vor Augen und kennt möglicherweise Eigenheiten der Personen (John Green, Lemony Snicket), so dass die oft fehlende Charakterisierung nicht störend auffällt.
Nicht schlecht, aber nicht das, was ich erhofft hatte.
Achtzig. Ja, da habt ihr richtig gelesen. Die Plädoyers sind alle recht kurz und lassen sich wunderbar in kleinen Happen lesen. Trotzdem ist 80 eine beachtliche Zahl und hat sich als zu hoch erwiesen. Das lag vor allem daran, dass die Texte zwar alle gut geschrieben sind, sich aber auf Dauer zu sehr ähneln. Die meisten sind wirklich nur Statements und erzählen keine eigene Story mit Spannungsbogen und allem drum und dran. Hintereinander weg kann man dieses Buch also nicht lesen ohne sich zu langweilen, für kurze Bahnfahrten oder Wartezeiten ist es aber gut geeignet.
Richtig schade ist, dass die Geschichten nicht mehr zusammenhängen. Man kann sich durch sie zwar ein gutes Bild von der Person Herman Mildew machen – Details wie seine Vorliebe für Stinkekäse stimmen durchaus überein – aber man hat nicht die Möglichkeit den Mordfall selbst mit aufzuklären.
Ich glaube man hat generell mehr Spaß mit diesem Buch, wenn man viele der Autoren schon kennt. Man hat dann einfach ein Bild vor Augen und kennt möglicherweise Eigenheiten der Personen (John Green, Lemony Snicket), so dass die oft fehlende Charakterisierung nicht störend auffällt.
Nicht schlecht, aber nicht das, was ich erhofft hatte.
luisasm's review against another edition
3.0
How utterly and completely ridiculous, but so entertaining. So many authors, all with hilarious stories/alibis. Kind of long, and a few stories too short. And kind of an anticlimactic ending. But still fun.
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting story told in an odd way. I can see how the appeal of the short stories and liking the like the tales, lies and fabrications from each suspect. It was funny at most spots and I liked the personality and originality from the authors. But it was a bit....long. I think I would have liked it cut in half. Cute idea either way.
piikasmalls's review
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
shrrawat's review against another edition
4.0
Who Done It? That is the question the reader must ask after the death of the malodorous, malevolent, malignant, and whatever other adjective that start with "mal" editor Herman Mildew. The suspects include some of the most beloved YA and children authors. Each must provide their alibi to prove their innocence, but when it among people who lie and manufacture stories, who can you trust?
When I got this book, I was really excited. I have always had a soft spot for short stories (they're like mini-books making up one big book), and eighty of them? With authors like Libba Bray, Lemony Snicket, and John Green? I was in short story heaven.
However, the book ended up being a disappointment. Not that I didn't enjoy it. I did. But the expectations I had of the book, the standards I held for each of the authors, were not quite met. About half way through the book, I found many of the stories blurring together in my brain, until I could barely tell one from the others. There were, however, a few gems that shone through. I loved David Levithan's story, a play on the famous poem "This is Just to Say". Sarah Mlynowski and Courtney Sheinmel's tale had me laughing out loud. The new and original forms of other authors, were also greatly appreciated. Michael Northrop's story, though, was in my opinion, the best of all, and absolutely DEMANDS A SEQUEL.
In the end, I do tip my hat to each and every author who contributed to this anthology. Although I felt that their best work weren't present, I do appreciate that they did this only to advance a worthy organization such as 826 NYC.
When I got this book, I was really excited. I have always had a soft spot for short stories (they're like mini-books making up one big book), and eighty of them? With authors like Libba Bray, Lemony Snicket, and John Green? I was in short story heaven.
However, the book ended up being a disappointment. Not that I didn't enjoy it. I did. But the expectations I had of the book, the standards I held for each of the authors, were not quite met. About half way through the book, I found many of the stories blurring together in my brain, until I could barely tell one from the others. There were, however, a few gems that shone through. I loved David Levithan's story, a play on the famous poem "This is Just to Say". Sarah Mlynowski and Courtney Sheinmel's tale had me laughing out loud. The new and original forms of other authors, were also greatly appreciated. Michael Northrop's story, though, was in my opinion, the best of all, and absolutely DEMANDS A SEQUEL.
In the end, I do tip my hat to each and every author who contributed to this anthology. Although I felt that their best work weren't present, I do appreciate that they did this only to advance a worthy organization such as 826 NYC.
belle18244's review against another edition
3.0
Tedious. Might have been better with a fourth of the authors.
wiseowl33's review against another edition
4.0
Very fun concept. Enjoyable stories... a bit predictable, but fun to read.
strangebehavior's review against another edition
Fun premise, just didn't know all the authors - I think it would be more fun if you were familiar with many of the writers.