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3.34 AVERAGE
3.34 AVERAGE
Elongated 'World's Worst Child' tale, not a strong Walliams story.
From the first, I had the feeling this was one of the WWC series, expanded. This was the first time my son has bought a Walliams' on day of publication, as he's such a fan of every other by the author (we've only missed out Awful Auntie). It's taken around 10 nights for me to read it to him, and he's enjoyed it.
So this review is not from his perspective - an 8 year old will love this: bum/poo jokes, lots of noises and silly creatures, things being destroyed, lists. It's also half the length of most of Walliams' recent novels, but still with regular Tony Ross sketches, so does speed along. No, it's great for the target market.
But as an experienced reader and librarian, it's pretty weak I'm afraid. This is the author's first novel with no hero/heroine. As Myrtle is a World's Worst Child in all but book title, she's actually also a minor character for most of the book. Spoiled by her librarian parents (oh what a terrible example they set for my profession!), she's a stereotype of an indulged brat with no personality anyway - nobody will be dressing up as her next World Book Day.
And Mr and Mrs Meek themselves are spineless simpering cliches, calling each other 'Mother' and 'Father'. There's nothing to them and they don't grow or do anything of note throughout the entire book.
(***** SMALL SPOILER AHEAD *****)
The story itself is ridiculously simple: brat wants 'Fing' as pet. Parents acquiesce. Parents find said potentially destructive pet. (SPOILER!!) Destruction occurs. A World's Worst Children-like 'serves-you-right ending for spoilt brat' also occurs.
(***** END OF PLOT SPOILER *****)
While my son found this entertaining, and I did enjoy some moments (list of unusual creatures in the MONSTERPEDIA being one), it just didn't feel as though it had been created with much love or care as some of the author's others clearly were. Even Fing himself has no character - he's an eating/pooing being, no emotion besides a lot of 'grrrr'ing. So I didn't care for the girl, her parents, the pet - there's no 'enemy' or battle... it really is just a reject from World's Worst Children or one made longer.
We spotted our beloved Raj twice (once as a graphic on a bus, and once Walliams shoehorns him in, even saying he's done it to place the beloved newsagent in the story). Always a highlight, but certainly not enough to help raise this up from 'meh' rating to the bestselling status it will instantly earn without the merit of Walliams' previous heartfelt and genuinely funny inventions.
For ages 7-11.
From the first, I had the feeling this was one of the WWC series, expanded. This was the first time my son has bought a Walliams' on day of publication, as he's such a fan of every other by the author (we've only missed out Awful Auntie). It's taken around 10 nights for me to read it to him, and he's enjoyed it.
So this review is not from his perspective - an 8 year old will love this: bum/poo jokes, lots of noises and silly creatures, things being destroyed, lists. It's also half the length of most of Walliams' recent novels, but still with regular Tony Ross sketches, so does speed along. No, it's great for the target market.
But as an experienced reader and librarian, it's pretty weak I'm afraid. This is the author's first novel with no hero/heroine. As Myrtle is a World's Worst Child in all but book title, she's actually also a minor character for most of the book. Spoiled by her librarian parents (oh what a terrible example they set for my profession!), she's a stereotype of an indulged brat with no personality anyway - nobody will be dressing up as her next World Book Day.
And Mr and Mrs Meek themselves are spineless simpering cliches, calling each other 'Mother' and 'Father'. There's nothing to them and they don't grow or do anything of note throughout the entire book.
(***** SMALL SPOILER AHEAD *****)
The story itself is ridiculously simple: brat wants 'Fing' as pet. Parents acquiesce. Parents find said potentially destructive pet. (SPOILER!!) Destruction occurs. A World's Worst Children-like 'serves-you-right ending for spoilt brat' also occurs.
(***** END OF PLOT SPOILER *****)
While my son found this entertaining, and I did enjoy some moments (list of unusual creatures in the MONSTERPEDIA being one), it just didn't feel as though it had been created with much love or care as some of the author's others clearly were. Even Fing himself has no character - he's an eating/pooing being, no emotion besides a lot of 'grrrr'ing. So I didn't care for the girl, her parents, the pet - there's no 'enemy' or battle... it really is just a reject from World's Worst Children or one made longer.
We spotted our beloved Raj twice (once as a graphic on a bus, and once Walliams shoehorns him in, even saying he's done it to place the beloved newsagent in the story). Always a highlight, but certainly not enough to help raise this up from 'meh' rating to the bestselling status it will instantly earn without the merit of Walliams' previous heartfelt and genuinely funny inventions.
For ages 7-11.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Actual rating 3.5*
I like Fing, however, I don't think it is one of Walliams best.
I like Fing, however, I don't think it is one of Walliams best.
Not as good as World's Worst Children, better than Gangsta Granny according to my 11 year old. Fun to read, not a patch on Roald Dahl.
Perfectly daft and made me smile. Working in a primary school, I know I will be sharing this book.
This was okay. I can see why kids love it but I just couldn't get into the humour at all.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Oh my days David!!! Whilst this book was amusing and trying to read it from the perspective of the age it is aimed at; some of the animals in the monsterpedia and the jungliest jungle were humorous like the legless hippo that moved by farting that was amusing but considering I have read virtually everything you have wrote and this one for was a flop.
This book focuses on 9yr old Myrtle Meek and she is the worlds most spoilt brat who wants everything, literally. Her librarian parents meet her every need and once she has everything she decides she wants a “Fing”. This is a fluffy one eyed ball shaped monster that has two holes one of which is its mouth and the other its bum but it can eat and do strange this either!!! The illustrations by Tony Ross were great but I just really didn’t have a great vibe with this book. Normally children’s books I can immerse myself in them but this one I just couldn’t and I would have hated doing a reading group with a bunch of little ones as I wouldn’t be able to be my crazy self. Just couldn’t give it higher than 2. David your other books are far better please stick to those type of books as they are a better read
This book focuses on 9yr old Myrtle Meek and she is the worlds most spoilt brat who wants everything, literally. Her librarian parents meet her every need and once she has everything she decides she wants a “Fing”. This is a fluffy one eyed ball shaped monster that has two holes one of which is its mouth and the other its bum but it can eat and do strange this either!!! The illustrations by Tony Ross were great but I just really didn’t have a great vibe with this book. Normally children’s books I can immerse myself in them but this one I just couldn’t and I would have hated doing a reading group with a bunch of little ones as I wouldn’t be able to be my crazy self. Just couldn’t give it higher than 2. David your other books are far better please stick to those type of books as they are a better read
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes