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jeanne4's review
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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
4.25
aprilius_maximus's review
3.0
ADORABLE AND HILARIOUS! I can definitely see why David Walliams is being called the next generation's Roald Dahl!
ianisss's review against another edition
3.0
I loved it ! It was funny ,sad ,beautiful , fantastic . I didn't think that I would ever give 5 stars to a middlegrade book that isn't HP ,or PJO , or a Roald Dahl book .Also those drawings are gorgeous
trusttherage's review
3.0
I had to stop reading this book for a while because I didn't want to know the horrible things that were going to happen to Stella.
litdoes's review
4.0
This is Walliams's seventh children's novel, and not since Roald Dahl has there been another children's author who had so successfully pushed the boundaries of children's fiction, laced with just the right amount of the macabre and uncomfortable truths, laced with the kind of riproaring humour that most children would be delighted at.
While the previous novel "Demon Dentist" featured an underprivileged boy, Alfie, who has to fend not only for himself but an inept parent, "Awful Auntie" is about a rich little girl Stella, who is Lady Saxby in waiting. Her aunt Alberta, with her faithful sidekick, Wagner the Great Bavarian Mountain Owl, is a straightforward villainous character who would stop at nothing to wrest Stella's fortunes from her. And Stella, for all her privilege, is an authentic preteen who finds the forces she has to fight are way bigger than her, made worse by the fact that they come from within her own cavernous home, Saxby Hall.
This book is a little short on characters and the nuanced relationships in the above mentioned last book, especially seen in the father-son duo, Alfie and his dad. In this novel, Stella is quite alone in her predicament, save for the supernatural realm. Nonetheless the way she fights and outwits her treacherous aunt is both exhilarating and funny. Walliams has under his belt a winning formula in children's fiction which should see his set of books becoming modern day children's classics.
While the previous novel "Demon Dentist" featured an underprivileged boy, Alfie, who has to fend not only for himself but an inept parent, "Awful Auntie" is about a rich little girl Stella, who is Lady Saxby in waiting. Her aunt Alberta, with her faithful sidekick, Wagner the Great Bavarian Mountain Owl, is a straightforward villainous character who would stop at nothing to wrest Stella's fortunes from her. And Stella, for all her privilege, is an authentic preteen who finds the forces she has to fight are way bigger than her, made worse by the fact that they come from within her own cavernous home, Saxby Hall.
This book is a little short on characters and the nuanced relationships in the above mentioned last book, especially seen in the father-son duo, Alfie and his dad. In this novel, Stella is quite alone in her predicament, save for the supernatural realm. Nonetheless the way she fights and outwits her treacherous aunt is both exhilarating and funny. Walliams has under his belt a winning formula in children's fiction which should see his set of books becoming modern day children's classics.
roshreviews's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Typical David Walliams this, containing everything a children's book shouldn't have: weird relatives, scary birds, murders, children being locked and threatened for their property, ghosts,... And yet, my daughter was laughing out loud and cheering for the protagonist at almost every scene! What am I missing? The mommy in me wants to give it 5 stars for bringing so much joy to my little one, but the adult in me is creeped out at what passes in the name of children's fiction nowadays. This won't be among my favourite Walliams works. I'd rather read The Midnight Gang again.
I want to give this book 2 stars. My daughter as always insists on doling out 5 stars. So here we go with a mathematical compromise: 3.5 stars which rounds up to 4. Sigh.
I want to give this book 2 stars. My daughter as always insists on doling out 5 stars. So here we go with a mathematical compromise: 3.5 stars which rounds up to 4. Sigh.
ajane13's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
pinknantucket's review
3.0
Bought this for my niece and nephew and it is now my aim to be AT LEAST as awful as this auntie. Better get myself an owl. Good fun.
My copy: borrowed from niece and nephew. Except I bought it for them (new) in the first place so I guess it doesn't count.
My copy: borrowed from niece and nephew. Except I bought it for them (new) in the first place so I guess it doesn't count.