Reviews

Loved.it. Brilliantly simple or simply brilliant! Proves that Ian McEwan was a 10 year old boy once himself!! I identified a lot with many of the episodes - especially the discovery of the googol number. I still remember how my teacher didn't believe me when I mentioned it in class. I took my "Answers to Everything" book in (or some such title) to justify my indignation at his dismissal of my knowledge the very next day. The one thing I couldn't identify with was the story of "The Cat". I never had one. This was the best of the bunch in this collection though. All in all a quick and easy read - as it's meant for children as much as adults - but for me, very enjoyable.

erin_bowyer's review against another edition

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adventurous funny inspiring mysterious reflective 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? It's complicated

3.75

kevin_shepherd's review against another edition

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3.0

When a novel starts out rather dreadfully but gradually and steadily improves I am never really sure if it is the author who is finding their footing or if it is me who is subconsciously lowering my expectations.

Children’s books aren’t McEwen’s usual stock and trade and it shows. His early chapters, each a foray into the imagination of a nine year old boy, feel a wee bit stilted and contrived. Still, I like what McEwan is trying to do even if it is, at times, unwieldy and off the mark...

“..the burglar struck again, and carried off a box of expensive perfumed soap and a silver-topped walking-stick... The stick had belonged to her great-grandfather, a famously fierce missionary. He used it to beat African children when they didn’t study their Bible lessons.”