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jesslolsen's review against another edition
3.0
I'm finding this really tricky to rate/review. I liked it, but I was confused most of the time I was reading it so I just forged on hoping it would make sense at some point (it did, in the end)
• I found it hard to keep track of the story. What exactly was happening and when? It seemed the time jumped around and I just had to keep reading to see how it all fell in place and where it fit.
• The characters were very unique and intriguing but it took me until the first 1/3 of the book to 'get' them
• I get the feeling that there was so much more happening under the surface that tied everything together, and I might have missed some of it as it wasn't glaringly obvious, until the last couple of chapters where the real revelations start.
• The actual writing was good. Things were described beautifully and kept to the quirky tone.
• Definitely not a horrible book, but one I definitely had to make myself preserver at times to keep reading. I'm glad I did though, overall it was a nice sweet story.
• I found it hard to keep track of the story. What exactly was happening and when? It seemed the time jumped around and I just had to keep reading to see how it all fell in place and where it fit.
• The characters were very unique and intriguing but it took me until the first 1/3 of the book to 'get' them
• I get the feeling that there was so much more happening under the surface that tied everything together, and I might have missed some of it as it wasn't glaringly obvious, until the last couple of chapters where the real revelations start.
• The actual writing was good. Things were described beautifully and kept to the quirky tone.
• Definitely not a horrible book, but one I definitely had to make myself preserver at times to keep reading. I'm glad I did though, overall it was a nice sweet story.
chaotickylee's review against another edition
4.0
The Truman Show meets Dr. Seuss.
It's a very whimsical and light read.
It's a very whimsical and light read.
littlemisscass's review
5.0
The YA version of this book (The Spell Book of Listen Taylor) was my absolute favourite when I was young. When I was reminded of these books recently, I decided to give this one a go. Even knowing the overall plot and its twists and turns, I thoroughly enjoyed and would sincerely recommend it.
maggiefae's review against another edition
Halfway through this book and I still have no idea what is happening, where the magic is, and there’s just so much adultery.
gruenlichst's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
becmatho's review against another edition
3.0
This was terribly enjoyable and slightly peculiar - clearly the best combination. Very very fun.
fantasticraccoon's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
jaytalking's review against another edition
3.0
I stumbled upon I Have a Bed Made of Buttermilk Pancakes completely unintentionally at the Lifeline Bookfest a few weeks ago, noticed it was written by one of my favourite authors (Jaclyn Moriarty wrote [b:The Year Of Secret Assignments|82780|The Year Of Secret Assignments (Ashbury/Brookfield, #2)|Jaclyn Moriarty|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1251213937s/82780.jpg|2161186] and [b:Feeling Sorry for Celia|82783|Feeling Sorry for Celia (Ashbury/Brookfield, #1)|Jaclyn Moriarty|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171025737s/82783.jpg|1013926]), and bought it immediately . The front page describes it as “a fairytale for grown-ups”. I’d never known Jaclyn Moriarty to write anything but young adult fiction. This was intriguing. I didn’t know quite what to expect from it, though I hoped it’d be hilarious and touching. So I started reading it.
At first, I was kind of disappointed because it wasn’t as uproariously hilarious as often as Finding Cassie Crazy was. I started thinking about how incredibly unbelievable the plot seemed to be. And then the pieces started falling together. I started seeing past the unbelievable aspects of the novel, and focusing on the warmth with which each character was described, and began appreciating how well-constructed, as a story, it actually was. In the end, it’s actually a pretty wonderful, light-hearted (with a fair few serious aspects) and touching story about family, mistakes, wishful thinking, making things happen, and the things that make us a bit like everyone else. What sucked me in was wanting to see how it all unfolded, and figuring out the Zing Family Secret. (And what a secret it is! Then, I guess, we all have our secrets. Just maybe not as insane as the Zing’s.)
That said, I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re not looking for a novel that requires paying attention to detail, and a fair bit of patience. (I wouldn’t say I liked it more than Finding Cassie Crazy, but I did enjoy it a lot.)
I also wouldn’t recommend it to minors. There’s a reason it’s ‘a fairytale for adults’ (my own emphasis).
At first, I was kind of disappointed because it wasn’t as uproariously hilarious as often as Finding Cassie Crazy was. I started thinking about how incredibly unbelievable the plot seemed to be. And then the pieces started falling together. I started seeing past the unbelievable aspects of the novel, and focusing on the warmth with which each character was described, and began appreciating how well-constructed, as a story, it actually was. In the end, it’s actually a pretty wonderful, light-hearted (with a fair few serious aspects) and touching story about family, mistakes, wishful thinking, making things happen, and the things that make us a bit like everyone else. What sucked me in was wanting to see how it all unfolded, and figuring out the Zing Family Secret. (And what a secret it is! Then, I guess, we all have our secrets. Just maybe not as insane as the Zing’s.)
That said, I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re not looking for a novel that requires paying attention to detail, and a fair bit of patience. (I wouldn’t say I liked it more than Finding Cassie Crazy, but I did enjoy it a lot.)
I also wouldn’t recommend it to minors. There’s a reason it’s ‘a fairytale for adults’ (my own emphasis).
sheeprustler's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bethsicle's review against another edition
4.0
I first read this back in high school and finally got my hands on another copy after thinking for a long time that I’d like to reread it. I liked it just as much as I remembered! It turns out I had forgotten most of the plot so I enjoyed the twists and turns as much as the first time around, if not more! As advertised, it has a very ‘fairy tale for adults’ feel, as well as feeling very timelessly australian. There’s a lot in there that is exactly my sense of humour or reminds me of the way I think... I feel like it’s something I would have liked to have written myself, that’s how much it appeals to me! I’m happy to have rediscovered a new/old favourite!