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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this Flavia novel because even though it was a lot more focused on the mourning of the family, and not a fun detective adventure for Flavia, it stayed true to the feeling of the rest of the books. It might actually be my favorite of them all because of the complicated family dynamic. The process of mourning is something that almost anyone can relate to, but there was still mystery and excitement woven throughout the story. I am also really excited to see what adventures Flavia will get into outside of Buckshaw. I can only imagine what kind of characters will be introduced in the next book.
I liked it, although not as much as some of the previous Flavia de Luce novels. If you haven't read any in the series, DON'T START WITH THIS ONE. This book involves the return of Flavia's mother, Harriet, who has been missing for 10 years, since Flavia was a year old. The book will be much more enjoyable if you've read the others.
This book definitely closes this chapter in Flavia's life (and brings in many characters she's met since the series began), and prepares us for something new. (Or is this truly the author's end of the series? I'm not sure.) I don't want to say much more on the book as I will give things away. Having read the previous five novels, I enjoyed it.
This book definitely closes this chapter in Flavia's life (and brings in many characters she's met since the series began), and prepares us for something new. (Or is this truly the author's end of the series? I'm not sure.) I don't want to say much more on the book as I will give things away. Having read the previous five novels, I enjoyed it.
My favorite of the series so far! I think it's mostly due to the more personal nature of the tale, and Bradley's deft handling of what is revealed in this book. And for me, the added emotional depth was done precisely at the right time. And once again, the narration is superb!
*This is definitely a series that must be read in order!
*This is definitely a series that must be read in order!
I'm having trouble with this series. One book I will love, and the next I feel decidedly apathetic about. I think I really need to start from the beginning and read/reread them straight through. In this book Flavia's mother "comes home," and it was just not one of my favorites, although I will continue working my way through the series.
This entire series is wonderful, but this installment was especially vivid and heartbreaking. Fans will not be disappointed
This is the sixth mystery featuring Flavia de Luce, the precocious pre-teen who excels as an amateur detective-cum-chemist. This one takes up where the previous book, Speaking from Among the Bones, left off. The body of Harriet, Flavia’s mother who has been missing for a decade, is brought home. These are difficult days for Flavia and her family. As they prepare for the funeral, Flavia learns several secrets surrounding her mother’s life and death as well as secrets about other de Luce family members.
The chief attraction in this book, as with the others in the series, is Flavia. When I reviewed the previous book, I mentioned her growing maturity. She is just an eleven-year-old and she is still childish; her attempt to play Dr. Frankenstein (scenes which I found rather discomfiting) clearly illustrates her immaturity, but her motivation is concern for her father. It is this consideration for the feelings of others that stands out as an indication of her maturation. At one point, she says, “There was enough pressure in the house already without my adding more.” She even comforts her older sister by saying, “’Chin up, Daff. We’ll come through all this. I promise.’” She tries to see things from the point of view of others: “What kind of life did she have, when you stop to think about it?” Flavia speaks about trying “hard to be a better person” and being grateful for what she has: “There was so much to be grateful for, when you stopped too think of it, in spite of all our hardships.”
This book is more intimate and emotional that the others since it deals with the mysteries in Flavia’s own family and with her feelings about her mother’s death: “Although it is shameful to admit, I knew that I had been trying to hang on to the past, attempting to awaken every morning to my old world: a world in which Harriet was still comfortably missing, a world in which, at least, I knew where I stood.”
The scenes where Flavia struggles with losing her mother (“’She was my mother,’ I said. ‘I’d never seen her face.’”) and feels totally lost (“What did I think? How did I feel? I wish I knew.”) are heart-breaking.
This book seems very much a closing chapter in Flavia’s life. The ending clearly suggests she is embarking on another phase in her life. Readers can only hope that the author chooses to continue to follow this enchanting heroine.
Please check out my reader's blog (http://schatjesshelves.blogspot.ca/) and follow me on Twitter (@DCYakabuski).
The chief attraction in this book, as with the others in the series, is Flavia. When I reviewed the previous book, I mentioned her growing maturity. She is just an eleven-year-old and she is still childish; her attempt to play Dr. Frankenstein (scenes which I found rather discomfiting) clearly illustrates her immaturity, but her motivation is concern for her father. It is this consideration for the feelings of others that stands out as an indication of her maturation. At one point, she says, “There was enough pressure in the house already without my adding more.” She even comforts her older sister by saying, “’Chin up, Daff. We’ll come through all this. I promise.’” She tries to see things from the point of view of others: “What kind of life did she have, when you stop to think about it?” Flavia speaks about trying “hard to be a better person” and being grateful for what she has: “There was so much to be grateful for, when you stopped too think of it, in spite of all our hardships.”
This book is more intimate and emotional that the others since it deals with the mysteries in Flavia’s own family and with her feelings about her mother’s death: “Although it is shameful to admit, I knew that I had been trying to hang on to the past, attempting to awaken every morning to my old world: a world in which Harriet was still comfortably missing, a world in which, at least, I knew where I stood.”
The scenes where Flavia struggles with losing her mother (“’She was my mother,’ I said. ‘I’d never seen her face.’”) and feels totally lost (“What did I think? How did I feel? I wish I knew.”) are heart-breaking.
This book seems very much a closing chapter in Flavia’s life. The ending clearly suggests she is embarking on another phase in her life. Readers can only hope that the author chooses to continue to follow this enchanting heroine.
Please check out my reader's blog (http://schatjesshelves.blogspot.ca/) and follow me on Twitter (@DCYakabuski).
I'm always happy with a new case for Flavia de Luce to solve and a new book in this series...but this one didn't have as many of the mystery elements as the rest of Bradley's books. It was almost too easy in the end. Granted, we finally got more of the back-story of Harriet and learned about de Luce secrets. Also, there wasn't a map in this one. Harumph, I love the maps of Bishop's Lacey and Buckshaw. I'm wondering how Flavia's stories will continue (if they do) with the ending now in place. We'll have to see!
'The Dead in their Vaulted Arches' is the sixth book in the absolutely brilliant Flavia de Luce mystery series. The series starts off with a massive bang in 'The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie,' and with a few hitches and starts, has rolled into the station with this book. At the heart of it all is the 11-year-old precocious child-cum-chemistry-genius Flavia de Luce, who narrates with such absolute charm and wit, you're mad not to fall in love with her.
Flavia's story is made up by her surroundings and family - she is being raised in 1950s England on the once grandiose Buckshaw estate, which technically belongs to her mother. But her mother has been missing for ten years, and presumed dead. Her father is enshrouded in a cocoon of grief and worry - grief over the missing mother, and worry because he is rapidly running out of money and may lost the estate. Mother has been officially declared dead, but with no will to be found, the family is unable to lay claim to the estate.
This is all presented to the reader in the first book; this, the sixth, wraps up a thousand different threads from the first five books, but leaves five or six dangling to ensure more stories are on their way. In this book, we learn that Flavia's mother has, indeed, died, and that her body has been found and is being returned for burial. There are hints that there's much more than meets the eye behind mother's death, as her body is brought back by the Home Office, and Winston Churchill is on hand at the train station to meet the coffin when it arrives.
Alan Bradley's treatment of these stories simply sparkles. If you could imagine a cross between Agatha Christie and P. G. Wodehouse, that would come close. So far this has been my book of the year, but I suspect that's only because of the totality of the series itself, which I cannot recommend highly enough. Five out of five stars.
Flavia's story is made up by her surroundings and family - she is being raised in 1950s England on the once grandiose Buckshaw estate, which technically belongs to her mother. But her mother has been missing for ten years, and presumed dead. Her father is enshrouded in a cocoon of grief and worry - grief over the missing mother, and worry because he is rapidly running out of money and may lost the estate. Mother has been officially declared dead, but with no will to be found, the family is unable to lay claim to the estate.
This is all presented to the reader in the first book; this, the sixth, wraps up a thousand different threads from the first five books, but leaves five or six dangling to ensure more stories are on their way. In this book, we learn that Flavia's mother has, indeed, died, and that her body has been found and is being returned for burial. There are hints that there's much more than meets the eye behind mother's death, as her body is brought back by the Home Office, and Winston Churchill is on hand at the train station to meet the coffin when it arrives.
Alan Bradley's treatment of these stories simply sparkles. If you could imagine a cross between Agatha Christie and P. G. Wodehouse, that would come close. So far this has been my book of the year, but I suspect that's only because of the totality of the series itself, which I cannot recommend highly enough. Five out of five stars.