Reviews

Climbing a Monkey Puzzle Tree by Karen Wallace

aimeeinwonderland's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.0

katiedean_'s review against another edition

emotional lighthearted relaxing sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

liralen's review against another edition

3.0

Ah yes, 60s/70s English girls' boarding schools, where even the contents of one's pencil case were subject to inspection to make sure the girls had brought the right writing instruments. I suspect the choice of time frame reflects the author's own experience in boarding school (and cripes, but the emphasis on Elvis)—feels in line with every other grim grey rule-bound English boarding school book I've read from the period, but at this point I'd prefer something a bit more modern. The plot gets a bit twisty—a wicked adult with no redeeming qualities who is eventually punished; a potentially complex schoolgirl who is also punished and never given the chance to develop those complexities; a girl with a Big Secret that is revealed but not dealt with at the end of the book.

hallymichelle's review

4.0

This was the biggest plot-twist of my childhood.

Really enjoyed re-reading it as an adult too and took away different things from it this time. Can't beat a boarding school book!

(My edition has a lovely cover but loads of typos inside-annoying)