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1.45k reviews for:
THE SECRET OF THE OLD CLOCK. Nancy Drew Mystery Stories No. 1.
Carolyn Keene, Carolyn Keene
3.75 AVERAGE
1.45k reviews for:
THE SECRET OF THE OLD CLOCK. Nancy Drew Mystery Stories No. 1.
Carolyn Keene, Carolyn Keene
3.75 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed Nancy Drew books when I was younger, but I did not remember much about them. I wanted to see how they held up and I really liked reading this first book (at 29 years old).
One thing that stuck out to me was how much wealth and money were talked about. It seemed like Nancy Drew was rich and 90% of the other characters were poor.
Google is telling me that these books are written at an 8 to 12 year old’s reading level. I read this book in two days, it was a very quick read as an adult.
I do want to read more in the series. I will probably use them as a break in between heavier books.
One thing that stuck out to me was how much wealth and money were talked about. It seemed like Nancy Drew was rich and 90% of the other characters were poor.
Google is telling me that these books are written at an 8 to 12 year old’s reading level. I read this book in two days, it was a very quick read as an adult.
I do want to read more in the series. I will probably use them as a break in between heavier books.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3.5. It was a cute quick mystery for kids. As an adult, these books wouldn’t hold my interest but they’re great for my daughter.
Classic a Month #11.2013
This book was so hard to finish! Obviously I'm used to reading older books with different values and language than present time, but there was just something about this one that I couldn't handle. Nancy Drew is 18 years old, just graduated high school, and wants to be a lawyer like her father. Even though this is the first book in the series, it doesn't feel like it. We don't get a big introduction like in the Baby-Sitters Club, we just kind of jump right in with Nancy saving a little girl after she falls off a bridge. The only people I recognized from reading it as a child were Nancy, her dad, and the housekeeper. Her BFF and boyfriend aren't in this one, which was kind of disappointing. I do have the 2nd book also and am debating whether I want to read it right away and see if it's any better or not.
I obviously had trouble with this book, but I can see how it would still appeal to younger children, even 70 years after it was first published. Nancy is a strong, confident, pretty, young woman who has adventures but is also a lady. She has a wonderful father figure who allows her to be independent in an age when that was frowned upon. She gets into dicey situations but everything always comes out sunny at the end of the book. It deserves to be a classic.
Read my full review here!
This book was so hard to finish! Obviously I'm used to reading older books with different values and language than present time, but there was just something about this one that I couldn't handle. Nancy Drew is 18 years old, just graduated high school, and wants to be a lawyer like her father. Even though this is the first book in the series, it doesn't feel like it. We don't get a big introduction like in the Baby-Sitters Club, we just kind of jump right in with Nancy saving a little girl after she falls off a bridge. The only people I recognized from reading it as a child were Nancy, her dad, and the housekeeper. Her BFF and boyfriend aren't in this one, which was kind of disappointing. I do have the 2nd book also and am debating whether I want to read it right away and see if it's any better or not.
I obviously had trouble with this book, but I can see how it would still appeal to younger children, even 70 years after it was first published. Nancy is a strong, confident, pretty, young woman who has adventures but is also a lady. She has a wonderful father figure who allows her to be independent in an age when that was frowned upon. She gets into dicey situations but everything always comes out sunny at the end of the book. It deserves to be a classic.
Read my full review here!
What a trip down memory lane... Although I always preferred Trixie Belden over Nancy, I still have a soft spot for the titian haired sleuth.
Written For Its Time
I have some thoughts about this book that are probably unpopular. I decided to pick up this book for a project that I'm working on and it made me reminiscent of my childhood when I read later versions of Nancy Drew. This book definitely doesn't hold up against the test of time. While this version is edited and changed from its 1930a version there is still some language used that wouldn't be close to appropriate today. My three star rating isn't because of this as I can appreciate the context in which a book is written. The book itself was strange haha. Nancy was meeting up with random people at their houses, she attempted to stop three male robbers by herself with no help or way to contact anyone for help. And he said never thought to stop in fact he encouraged her with a simple "please be safe." I literally dropped my jaw when I realized that no one and I mean no one found Nancy's behavior strange. Also, everything was convenient for Nancy. I mean situations literally fell into her lap and worked out perfectly to the point that it was unbelievable. Yet, I still enjoyed her as a character. She was kind and genuinely wanted to help people. She didn't always make the smartest decisions but intent was good. I think she got more not solving this case and helping people than anything else. I would caution readers to consider the time line when reading this book. It's not perfect and you have to understand the time in which it was published. When you at it through that lens it definitely becomes a little easier to read.
I have some thoughts about this book that are probably unpopular. I decided to pick up this book for a project that I'm working on and it made me reminiscent of my childhood when I read later versions of Nancy Drew. This book definitely doesn't hold up against the test of time. While this version is edited and changed from its 1930a version there is still some language used that wouldn't be close to appropriate today. My three star rating isn't because of this as I can appreciate the context in which a book is written. The book itself was strange haha. Nancy was meeting up with random people at their houses, she attempted to stop three male robbers by herself with no help or way to contact anyone for help. And he said never thought to stop in fact he encouraged her with a simple "please be safe." I literally dropped my jaw when I realized that no one and I mean no one found Nancy's behavior strange. Also, everything was convenient for Nancy. I mean situations literally fell into her lap and worked out perfectly to the point that it was unbelievable. Yet, I still enjoyed her as a character. She was kind and genuinely wanted to help people. She didn't always make the smartest decisions but intent was good. I think she got more not solving this case and helping people than anything else. I would caution readers to consider the time line when reading this book. It's not perfect and you have to understand the time in which it was published. When you at it through that lens it definitely becomes a little easier to read.
Just like discovering an old friend again. My new (not so) secret addiction to Nancy Drew is helping restore me to sanity. She's a great sleuth, friend, and daughter and she dresses so smartly!