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beastreader's review against another edition
4.0
For a book lover like me this was a fantastic book. I have read a few other books with this similar concept of a book coming alive. Yet, this is probably one of the best books I have read. It truly was a story within a story.
Imagine playing with the Cat in the Hat, or talking with Charles Dickens, or maybe visiting the Secret Garden. I know that I do every time that I read a book; I go places and meet people. However, to do so in real life would be a dream come true.
Although, what would a grand adventure be without an evil man following you trying to stop you. So, mix this with all of the places and people our three main character leads encounter and you get a magical/fantasy read. I recommend this book.
Imagine playing with the Cat in the Hat, or talking with Charles Dickens, or maybe visiting the Secret Garden. I know that I do every time that I read a book; I go places and meet people. However, to do so in real life would be a dream come true.
Although, what would a grand adventure be without an evil man following you trying to stop you. So, mix this with all of the places and people our three main character leads encounter and you get a magical/fantasy read. I recommend this book.
emilyyyrich's review against another edition
5.0
I picked up this book on a total whim recently. It was released in the UK this year but with very little fanfare as far as I can tell, which is a shame because it’s brilliant.
The author’s debut novel, this is a fantastical saving-the-world themed book in which the main character’s brother can read characters from books into the real world. He’s a bit of a genius so I think Parry chose wisely in narrating from the more-relatable brother’s POV.
H. G. Parry is obviously a literature lover and incorporates characters from Dickens, Austen, Conan Doyle and others. I think this is a hard thing to do well, but she really does! It was a great read and I found myself longing to get back to the book when I had other things I should have been doing
The author’s debut novel, this is a fantastical saving-the-world themed book in which the main character’s brother can read characters from books into the real world. He’s a bit of a genius so I think Parry chose wisely in narrating from the more-relatable brother’s POV.
H. G. Parry is obviously a literature lover and incorporates characters from Dickens, Austen, Conan Doyle and others. I think this is a hard thing to do well, but she really does! It was a great read and I found myself longing to get back to the book when I had other things I should have been doing
drannieg's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loathe Dickens, and I am mildly irked that with this and the obviousky conceptually similar Thursday Next uses his characters so much. However, I can get over it, and this is a very clever book, especially if you've studied English Lit beyond the age of about 16.
sarahbeth89's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
briggamooz's review against another edition
5.0
What a great ride. From a 4:00AM phone call to a dense wall of fog, I was HOOKED by H. G. Parry's words and world.
The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep is a truly unique entry into the world of Contemporary Fantasy. Set in Wellington, New Zealand, Parry views the city with an adoring gaze, filling in the gaps and alleys with her words in a manner not unlike a cornerstone presence of the novel. It is a novel for students of English Literature, by a student of English Literature without alienating lovers of any specific genre within that vast umbrella. You like Mr. Darcy? Get ready for five of them. Do the mysteries of Sherlock Holmes excite you? Or perhaps you are more of a 'plucky young heroine solving crimes' sort of reader. Well, buckle up, bucko. I hope you're not allergic to hounds, moors, crookedy streets and/or dastardly villains.
Beyond creative use of some of literature's greatest figures, The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep is, at its heart, novel about brothers, family ties, and the trials of growing up - successfully crafting a portrait of simultaneous rivalry and respect while exploring the definition of the word 'family' as it applies to people and relationships of all kinds. Utterly lovely.
For fans of: Austen, Brönte, Dickens, Conan Doyle and our contemporary friend, Jasper Fforde. His girl, Thursday Next, would like to have a word or two with Charley Sutherland.
The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep is a truly unique entry into the world of Contemporary Fantasy. Set in Wellington, New Zealand, Parry views the city with an adoring gaze, filling in the gaps and alleys with her words in a manner not unlike a cornerstone presence of the novel. It is a novel for students of English Literature, by a student of English Literature without alienating lovers of any specific genre within that vast umbrella. You like Mr. Darcy? Get ready for five of them. Do the mysteries of Sherlock Holmes excite you? Or perhaps you are more of a 'plucky young heroine solving crimes' sort of reader. Well, buckle up, bucko. I hope you're not allergic to hounds, moors, crookedy streets and/or dastardly villains.
Beyond creative use of some of literature's greatest figures, The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep is, at its heart, novel about brothers, family ties, and the trials of growing up - successfully crafting a portrait of simultaneous rivalry and respect while exploring the definition of the word 'family' as it applies to people and relationships of all kinds. Utterly lovely.
For fans of: Austen, Brönte, Dickens, Conan Doyle and our contemporary friend, Jasper Fforde. His girl, Thursday Next, would like to have a word or two with Charley Sutherland.
persistent_reader's review against another edition
5.0
This is a novel for book lovers and fans of Victorian fiction. It has humor, suspense, and serious themes of the importance of family, personal dignity, and agency. I really liked the main characters and was rooting for them to the very end.
I listened to the audio version which was delightfully narrated. But now I want to read a hard copy so I can savor the writing. I highly recommend this book.
I listened to the audio version which was delightfully narrated. But now I want to read a hard copy so I can savor the writing. I highly recommend this book.
annemariep68's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this adventure. It is a story about literature and reading, it’s magical and it’s about siblings and all the baggage that brings. Well done first novel and would definitely recommend.
lunaeclipse's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. This reminded me a little of Shadow of the Wind. It is a bit of a love story for readers.