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ohnoflora's review against another edition
This book is the reason I got VERY confused about "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." as a child.
thecommonswings's review against another edition
5.0
In essence, Gormenghast for kids but with a wonderfully absurd streak and some lovely, darker tinges to the bad guys. One of the greatest books ever written
ant's review against another edition
2.0
I wasn't entirely convinced that this is a children's classic. Perhaps it was the enthusiasm with which I was urged to read it that made me expect more. It might be an entirely different experience reading it to a child.
I just didn't care what happened to any of the characters and didn't really find any of the adventures particularly interesting.
I just didn't care what happened to any of the characters and didn't really find any of the adventures particularly interesting.
scaifea's review against another edition
1.0
A rich elephant riches it up while also being irritated by his poor, trashy neighbors. How is this a fun book for kids, again? The only redeeming quality = the illustrations by Quentin Blake.
michaelstearns's review against another edition
3.0
A book that delights in sheer anarchy. Just look at how it begins: "Uncle is an elephant. He's immensely rich, and he's a BA. He dresses well, generally in a purple dressing-gown, and often rides about on a traction engine, which he prefers to a car." And after this paragraph, the novel gets strange. Hilarious and original and, well, it's a shame it's out of print save in a snooty NYR of Books edition.
debnanceatreaderbuzz's review against another edition
4.0
Uncle is our 1001 Children's Books You Must Read book group's latest read. It's a book that never appeared on my radar until I saw it on this list. It's a story, I suspect, that kids will love more than adults, but, as I'm the rare adult who hasn't quite grown up yet, I adored it. Uncle is an elephant and he and his friends are fighting a constant guerrilla war with a group of his enemies who are jealous of Uncle's power and influence and riches. It's very, very fun, with each group pranking the other, slinging little arrows at the other, and just trying to get the other group to yield and cry...well, uncle.
macklin's review against another edition
3.0
I found this very entertaining. I love Homeward and Old Monkey.
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