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aliciagriggs's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.25
A brilliant, hilarious book. Highly recommend for both children and adults.
louhbu's review against another edition
3.0
Read with my son each evening before bed.
We really enjoyed it, although I’ve marked it down as it made my son pretty much cry at the end.
We really enjoyed it, although I’ve marked it down as it made my son pretty much cry at the end.
bunny18's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Man was Father Christmas fr
mehsi's review against another edition
2.0
(Note: I read this book in Dutch, but will write a review in English. So the names I am using are from the Dutch edition.)
For some reason I just can't enjoy David Walliams books, I have tried several, and all ended up being dropped or rated 1 or 2 stars.
I guess that mostly lies in the part that his books are a bit unbelievable/strange/exaggerated. I do love the illustrations though and that is also a big reason why I do keep trying out his books. I love Quentin Blake and his illustrations.
This book again, it started of quite nicely, and I was very interested, but as soon as we got to the whole living-in-a-shed-thing it started getting annoying. Mr. Stink was just being bossy and annoying. Demanding food, demanding night stories, demanding all kinds of things. And that took away his charm. I really liked that he was a homeless guy with a past, but now he was just a demanding overlord.
His past thing? Nothing I wasn't expecting. He wasn't acting like a homeless dude that much and he had lots of things that seemed off. Like for example his manners, the dishes and cutlery and so on.
There is one character that I adored, and that was Chloe. She is a really great character and she was so sweet. Even though at times she thought Mr. Stink stank, she kept it in unlike so many other characters. I felt sad for Chloe, for having such a mom (more on Mom Kruimel soon) and such a sister. I am glad she at least found a friend in her dad.
Mom Kruimel, and also Annabelle were quite annoying throughout the book. I absolutely disliked the mom. The things she wanted to do for her politician's career were just ridiculous. I can't see why people would want that.
Annabelle, well I can say I am glad for the change that happened at the end. She could use some kindness. She was just plain rude and acting like the perfect little daughter.
All in all, it was quite a fun book, but sadly the exaggeration, the homeless dude's attitude and several other things annoyed me.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
For some reason I just can't enjoy David Walliams books, I have tried several, and all ended up being dropped or rated 1 or 2 stars.
I guess that mostly lies in the part that his books are a bit unbelievable/strange/exaggerated. I do love the illustrations though and that is also a big reason why I do keep trying out his books. I love Quentin Blake and his illustrations.
This book again, it started of quite nicely, and I was very interested, but as soon as we got to the whole living-in-a-shed-thing it started getting annoying. Mr. Stink was just being bossy and annoying. Demanding food, demanding night stories, demanding all kinds of things. And that took away his charm. I really liked that he was a homeless guy with a past, but now he was just a demanding overlord.
His past thing? Nothing I wasn't expecting. He wasn't acting like a homeless dude that much and he had lots of things that seemed off. Like for example his manners, the dishes and cutlery and so on.
There is one character that I adored, and that was Chloe. She is a really great character and she was so sweet. Even though at times she thought Mr. Stink stank, she kept it in unlike so many other characters. I felt sad for Chloe, for having such a mom (more on Mom Kruimel soon) and such a sister. I am glad she at least found a friend in her dad.
Mom Kruimel, and also Annabelle were quite annoying throughout the book. I absolutely disliked the mom. The things she wanted to do for her politician's career were just ridiculous. I can't see why people would want that.
Annabelle, well I can say I am glad for the change that happened at the end. She could use some kindness. She was just plain rude and acting like the perfect little daughter.
All in all, it was quite a fun book, but sadly the exaggeration, the homeless dude's attitude and several other things annoyed me.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
startingviolence's review against another edition
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sony08's review against another edition
4.0
Great story with fab moral ground for kids to learn and appreciate. As always David's book did not disappoint and the whole family got to enjoy his vast imagination.
skittyrreads's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
David Walliams second novel, this is neither an improvement nor a downgrade from his previous work. Focusing on Chloe and her new friendship with the town tramp, "Mr Stink", this is mainly about family and loss. This meanders a bit in places, and Chloe, while personally relatable to me as a child has lost her charm as an adult reading, the same could be said for Mr Stink as I don't find him as endearing as I did. The mother character is also forgiven very quickly but it's a short novel so I don't fault it for that. Raj is again incredibly stereotypical but he provides the basis for one of the biggest emotional moments in the book. Also it's clear the "party" is meant to be Britian's government at the time so it does date it a touch. This novel also has a lot more "toilet humor" which again doesn't help it for an older reader. The ending is so good however and really prevents this from being 2.5 stars.
kim161084's review against another edition
4.0
What a pleasant book to read. We need books like this once in a while to refresh and give our mind a break after many other serious books. Adults and children can both enjoy it as it is hilarious and meaningful at the same time. Although the ending seems a little bit off to me, i think it is quite logical in a sense and is acceptable. I would definitely love to read more from this author!
reading_books_as_escapism_lol's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
reading_isalifestyle's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I actually didn't expect to love this book as much as I did. It was stupidly funny, had amazing storytelling, and had a good message behind it all. I hold this dear to my 15-year-old heart and would recommend it to so many people.