Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
adventurous
medium-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
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Read both the original and re-written version of this book for a course on children's literature. The original, 1937 Message in the Hollow Oak was a romance story set in Canada; Nancy wins some property in a contest, and on her way to survey it (hoping to find gold) she gets involved in an exciting adventure that includes a train derailment, being shot at, several kidnappings, and blowing up a dam with dynamite, all to stop some crooks from taking what is hers (while reuniting some long-lost lovers, of course)! The re-write also involves various characters being kidnapped, but instead of Canada Nancy finds herself in Illinois, assisting an archaeological dig (disturbing the remains of an unnamed "Indian" tribe which is problematic in itself) and solving a four-hundred-year-old mystery that some professionals just couldn't figure out. The original is exciting, delightfully far-fetched, and, well, *original*, whereas the re-write seems formulaic and predictable. Nancy of the 1950s is far less independent and far more boy-crazy (and has men falling at her feet, begging for her attention at every turn). In the end, there is no comparison: if you want the real Nancy Drew, plucky sixteen-year-old girl detective who's not afraid of getting her hands dirty, get your hands on the original stories. The re-writes are an embarrassing mockery of the girl we know and love.
Wow this book moved at a quick pace. Nancy absolutely would not have solved this mystery if it weren’t for the help of at least a dozen dudes who were willing to do exactly what she asked when she asked it without asking any questions or expecting any kind of payment. She also calls the cops like every three pages towards the end and they never have any new info for her but we have to read about it anyway.
My favorite character was Claire, who only exists to say stupid shit, get dunked on by other characters, and otherwise have no impact on the plot at all.
My favorite character was Claire, who only exists to say stupid shit, get dunked on by other characters, and otherwise have no impact on the plot at all.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I've seen some reviews that said that this one was rewritten in the 1970s to its detriment. I certainly believe that. Very little of the mystery actually had to do with the message in the hollow oak, and there was a lot of weird kidnappings. I know it was like the 1930s but lock your doors for goodness's sake . The dig plot was questionable at best and took away from what the mystery could have been.
Lots of elements aged poorly like the archeology work and Art's behavior.
Lots of elements aged poorly like the archeology work and Art's behavior.
I apparently picked up the “revised” version of this story, which is completely different from the original. The original seems to be about finding treasure at an archeological dig, while the version I read, rereleased in the 1950s, is about a land dispute in Canada. I was a little disappointed to learn this after the fact, but I still very much enjoyed the nostalgia of reading this book! I absolutely loved Nancy Drew as a kid. She remains as clever and capable as I remember, and the writing style is both concise and evocative. I would like to read the original version as well if I can find it. Also, that cover art? Gorgeous.
A fun Nancy Drew, but nothing really special. They are all unrealistic anyways, haha!
Certain outdated terms were used when talked about Native Americans which is slightly expected, but doesn't mean it's ever OK.
The archeology aspect was really interesting, just a shame it had to be so casual about actual humanbeings and their graves. A little bit more respect would've at least been nice, but again, it's a chidlren's book and an old one at that, so I'm not surprised, if you know what I mean.
Certain outdated terms were used when talked about Native Americans which is slightly expected, but doesn't mean it's ever OK.
The archeology aspect was really interesting, just a shame it had to be so casual about actual humanbeings and their graves. A little bit more respect would've at least been nice, but again, it's a chidlren's book and an old one at that, so I'm not surprised, if you know what I mean.
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ideal for quick reads
I love that where ever Nancy goes they just let her contribute and work on anything. Like should this random girl be allowed to work on this archeology project without any formal education or training? definitely not! But I love that she does it anyway!
Seattle Public Library Summer Bingo: A Book from a Series
Seattle Public Library Summer Bingo: A Book from a Series