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cnc599's review
4.0
I think my favorite in this collection was M.T. Anderson's "Just Desert" (yes Desert, not dessert) but all of the stories were enjoyable.
otterno11's review
4.0
I have to admit, I read this book due to pure narcissism. Strolling in a bookstore, I noticed that the “main character” of this book shared my first name and the first three letters of my surname. Of course I had to read it, so I did a little research and requested both this book, and Chris Van Allsburg's original 1984 “Mysteries of Harris Burdick.” The premise is intriguing; an eccentric author, the eponymous “Harris Burdick,” drops off a pile of intriguingly beguiling artwork and story promises, only to disappear before making good on the tales that go along with the strange pictures. I did not grow up with this book, oddly enough, though, I am sure I would have loved it as a kid. I know I've seen some of the amazingly mysterious images presented in the picture book here and there over the years, but I did not know that they had all originated in the same picture book illustrated by the author of “Jumanji.” Flipping through “Mysteries” is quite enjoyable, even for an adult, and I would definitely pick this up for any hypothetical children.
As for “The Chronicles of Harris Burdick,” in which a stable of authors tell the stories inspired by Van Allsburg's, er, “Harris Burdick's” imagery, they definitely had quite a task ahead of them to do justice to the ideas the imaginations of the readers have already built up around the “Mysteries.” More or less, they succeed. The authors do a fair job bringing to life their visions of the background to the surreal pictures and the promising bits of text that accompany them, and a few even approach some of the wonder that the reader of the original has imagining the story behind the mysteries. The best take inspiration from the pictures and twist them into something unexpected, and I particularly liked Van Allsburg's own story “Oscar and Alphonse,” Lois Lowry's “The Seven Chairs,” Louis Sachar's surreal “Captain Tory,” and Kate DiCamillo's bittersweet “The Third-Floor Bedroom.” My favorite was definitely M.T. Anderson' s “Just Desert,” based on the painting of the glowing pumpkin and taking such bizarre image to a thought provoking and disturbing conclusion. All in all, the stories were fun, great to compare to your own interpretations, and a worthy rendition of the source.
As for “The Chronicles of Harris Burdick,” in which a stable of authors tell the stories inspired by Van Allsburg's, er, “Harris Burdick's” imagery, they definitely had quite a task ahead of them to do justice to the ideas the imaginations of the readers have already built up around the “Mysteries.” More or less, they succeed. The authors do a fair job bringing to life their visions of the background to the surreal pictures and the promising bits of text that accompany them, and a few even approach some of the wonder that the reader of the original has imagining the story behind the mysteries. The best take inspiration from the pictures and twist them into something unexpected, and I particularly liked Van Allsburg's own story “Oscar and Alphonse,” Lois Lowry's “The Seven Chairs,” Louis Sachar's surreal “Captain Tory,” and Kate DiCamillo's bittersweet “The Third-Floor Bedroom.” My favorite was definitely M.T. Anderson' s “Just Desert,” based on the painting of the glowing pumpkin and taking such bizarre image to a thought provoking and disturbing conclusion. All in all, the stories were fun, great to compare to your own interpretations, and a worthy rendition of the source.
alexctelander's review
5.0
Many readers, no matter what age they might be, are familiar with Chris Van Allsburg’s unforgettable, award-winning classic, The Mysteries of Harris Burdick, presenting fourteen unique and incredible illustrations that spark the mind and begin moving the gears of the imagination. The illustrations have gone on to serve as great starting points for many schoolkids around the world looking to engage and develop their storytelling and writing abilities; a number of them still have those original stories they created when they were kids (my wife is one of them).
Now, over twenty-five years after the publication of The Mysteries of Harris Burdick, fourteen renowned and well-known authors put their own minds to the task of creating original stories from these iconic works of art. The likes of Louis Sachar, Sherman Alexie, Kate DiCamillo, Cory Doctorow, Lois Lowry, and even Chris Van Allsburg himself, create their own moving and special stories, most of them published here for the first time. Stephen King also takes on the story of the house launching itself into the sky, originally published in his Nightmares & Dreamscapes short story collection, it is reprinted here. The Chronicles of Harris Burdick also features an introduction from Lemony Snicket, with some of his thoughts on where these illustrations might have come from.
The book is a keeper, to be added next to one’s own copy of The Mysteries of Harris Burdick, and to be picked up and read, as well as read aloud to others, over and over again.
Originally written on November 20, 2011 ©Alex C. Telander.
For more reviews and exclusive interviews, go to the BookBanter site.
Now, over twenty-five years after the publication of The Mysteries of Harris Burdick, fourteen renowned and well-known authors put their own minds to the task of creating original stories from these iconic works of art. The likes of Louis Sachar, Sherman Alexie, Kate DiCamillo, Cory Doctorow, Lois Lowry, and even Chris Van Allsburg himself, create their own moving and special stories, most of them published here for the first time. Stephen King also takes on the story of the house launching itself into the sky, originally published in his Nightmares & Dreamscapes short story collection, it is reprinted here. The Chronicles of Harris Burdick also features an introduction from Lemony Snicket, with some of his thoughts on where these illustrations might have come from.
The book is a keeper, to be added next to one’s own copy of The Mysteries of Harris Burdick, and to be picked up and read, as well as read aloud to others, over and over again.
Originally written on November 20, 2011 ©Alex C. Telander.
For more reviews and exclusive interviews, go to the BookBanter site.
katydetamble's review
4.0
Favs: A Strange Day in July by Sherman Alexie and The Third Floor Bedroom by Kate DiCamillo
shidoburrito's review
2.0
I was so disappointed in this book! I love Van Allsburg and his illustrations, which were always accompanied with wonderful tales that I loved to read when I was little. So, when I saw this book at work I couldn't wait to start it. I ended up liking about 3 of the stories in this collection of short stories by authors I have read and also loved! I don't know what went wrong, but the stories didn't seem to be too concerned with weaving Allsburg's illustration into their story, and came out feeling empty and unfulfilled. Perhaps these great authors couldn't handle a length restriction? Who knows why this book left me feeling disappointed with the authors I really enjoy reading.
caitlin_bookchats's review
2.0
I poured over huge illustrations, captions, and titles of the original mysteries of Harris Burdick as a young middle schooler imagining the rich stories behind them. Unfortunately, that is a large post of this book's downfall. Although a few authors told more vibrant interesting stories than I had imagined at length, especially for done of my favorite illustrations the stories told here I found wanting.
The original with all its ruin for the imagination will always good a wonderful place in my memories (and on my shelf) but this book is unlikely to be one I ever purchase for myself.
Counting this as a book from my childhood for the 2015 Pop Sugar challenge as it contains the entirety of The Mysteries of Harris Burdick. A very unusual picture book I loved as a pre teen.
The original with all its ruin for the imagination will always good a wonderful place in my memories (and on my shelf) but this book is unlikely to be one I ever purchase for myself.
Counting this as a book from my childhood for the 2015 Pop Sugar challenge as it contains the entirety of The Mysteries of Harris Burdick. A very unusual picture book I loved as a pre teen.
tatidengo's review
4.0
There is something peculiar happening in every illustration in this book, a strange bump under the rug, a missing bird in the pattern of a wallpaper, or a nun rising into the air.
The beauty of writing stories based on pictures (instead of drawing pictures based on stories), is that very often, parts of the story will be kept ambiguous, or "left hanging." Not everything has to make absolute sense, especially since it isn't always possible to draw logical explanations from the pictures themselves.
Essentially: This book shows you ambiguous pictures, followed by equally ambiguous stories based on the pictures. Both forms don't deliver the full story to you, they leave you hanging, which can be entertaining, and sometimes terrifying, but always oddly fulfilling in its ambiguity.
The beauty of writing stories based on pictures (instead of drawing pictures based on stories), is that very often, parts of the story will be kept ambiguous, or "left hanging." Not everything has to make absolute sense, especially since it isn't always possible to draw logical explanations from the pictures themselves.
Essentially: This book shows you ambiguous pictures, followed by equally ambiguous stories based on the pictures. Both forms don't deliver the full story to you, they leave you hanging, which can be entertaining, and sometimes terrifying, but always oddly fulfilling in its ambiguity.
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