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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It doesn’t get full 5 because it is a bit confusing for me.
A good premise but phoned-in, and shamelessly plugs another of his books.
It's almost a shame that so many will purchase a Walliams books (and that of other celebrity authors) based solely on the name. David Walliams has built up a base of loyal fans deservedly, I'll happily admit. Some heartfelt, hilarious and well constructed tales of resourceful children, hideous adults, exciting plots. He's got a lot of reluctant young readers enjoying books, expanding their imaginations, feeling books CAN be for them. Not many can say that. He is talented, I would not deny he knows what children like.
But there is also an element of lazy writing here. This felt so reminiscent of his World's Worst Children plots and characters, relying on stereotypes and silly words. And can I say, the first time he refers readers to look in his Walliamsictionary for a definition of one of his made-up words, it was amusing. But I lost count, dozens and dozens of such references and I was getting cross. Especially when I was listening to the author read this Audible copy.
The story started well - a boy called Ned, hated by his big sister for the attention his wheelchair-dwelling body relies on, with parents too busy working to see her constant pranks and tricks. A birthday prank discovered - a huge collection of fluids and substances. A bathtub mixture. An evolution-defying intelligent blob of matter created - Slime (either that or Brenda).
After this though, Slime and Ned spend the rest of the book taking revenge on behalf of the children of the island of Mulch. On horrible park keepers, ice cream sellers, teachers. And the owner of the island - Ned's aunt. And of course, there's time for Ned's sister to learn a lesson as well. The plot is episodic, moving from one horrible adult to the next, with their foul names and characters feeling like more World's Worst Parents/Teachers.
Will this be popular? Sure. But it feels quick-buck, dashed off without any thought, base-pleasing. Readers will most likely still love it. But I know he can offer them more than this. It'll be finished in a couple of hours (just 3 hours on Audible, though the full cast is a good one, and it's a structure that children will follow easily if listening to), though I doubt many will feel as satisfied and even moved as some of his earlier novels.
For ages 5-9, slightly younger than Walliam's other books.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
It's almost a shame that so many will purchase a Walliams books (and that of other celebrity authors) based solely on the name. David Walliams has built up a base of loyal fans deservedly, I'll happily admit. Some heartfelt, hilarious and well constructed tales of resourceful children, hideous adults, exciting plots. He's got a lot of reluctant young readers enjoying books, expanding their imaginations, feeling books CAN be for them. Not many can say that. He is talented, I would not deny he knows what children like.
But there is also an element of lazy writing here. This felt so reminiscent of his World's Worst Children plots and characters, relying on stereotypes and silly words. And can I say, the first time he refers readers to look in his Walliamsictionary for a definition of one of his made-up words, it was amusing. But I lost count, dozens and dozens of such references and I was getting cross. Especially when I was listening to the author read this Audible copy.
The story started well - a boy called Ned, hated by his big sister for the attention his wheelchair-dwelling body relies on, with parents too busy working to see her constant pranks and tricks. A birthday prank discovered - a huge collection of fluids and substances. A bathtub mixture. An evolution-defying intelligent blob of matter created - Slime (either that or Brenda).
After this though, Slime and Ned spend the rest of the book taking revenge on behalf of the children of the island of Mulch. On horrible park keepers, ice cream sellers, teachers. And the owner of the island - Ned's aunt. And of course, there's time for Ned's sister to learn a lesson as well. The plot is episodic, moving from one horrible adult to the next, with their foul names and characters feeling like more World's Worst Parents/Teachers.
Will this be popular? Sure. But it feels quick-buck, dashed off without any thought, base-pleasing. Readers will most likely still love it. But I know he can offer them more than this. It'll be finished in a couple of hours (just 3 hours on Audible, though the full cast is a good one, and it's a structure that children will follow easily if listening to), though I doubt many will feel as satisfied and even moved as some of his earlier novels.
For ages 5-9, slightly younger than Walliam's other books.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
My 7 year old daughter loved this book. It was our first David Walliams book and we both had a good time reading it. I can understand why he’s been christened the new Roald Dahl (although Dahl is still the master, Walliams - with this book anyway - didn’t quite catch up to the esteem I hold Dahl in). His characters are beastly, horrid baddies that children love to hate, and who truly deserve what comes to them in the end. I also liked that Walliams was able to play on the obsession with slime that kids have!
I find David Walliams books to be a pure joy to read, they are fun quick and very entertaining. Love the illustrations by Tony Ross. They kind of reminds of Quentin Blake
It's a fun book but too light, too quick to get to the climax
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
If I hear the word Walliams-ictonary ONE MORE TIME!!!
fast-paced
Ngl , it completely went over my head that this book about 7 deadly sins until the end ,and that scores a point in my book.
But this got redundant real quick, maybe if I was younger I could’ve enjoyed this more with fart/stinky humor.
In the beginning I definitely thought I liked this more than the " demon dentist " , and objectively it delivered better than that book , you go in wanting slime , and you get that , LOTS OF IT , it’s quite clear this is just supposed to be fun. And it is. But I’m here to rate on personal experience and how much I might pick this back up or remember this story/ enjoyed it. And I don’t think I’ll remember this sucker much , maybe I’d browse through the pictures in the store because I only had the audiobook , but other than that meh .
Also my man Raj is missing here 😂 , but oh well.
My tier ranking of the author books so far :
THE BOY IN THE DRESS, MIDNIGHT GANG >
DEMON DENTIST>
BILLIONAIRE BOY > SLIME
But this got redundant real quick, maybe if I was younger I could’ve enjoyed this more with fart/stinky humor.
In the beginning I definitely thought I liked this more than the " demon dentist " , and objectively it delivered better than that book , you go in wanting slime , and you get that , LOTS OF IT , it’s quite clear this is just supposed to be fun. And it is. But I’m here to rate on personal experience and how much I might pick this back up or remember this story/ enjoyed it. And I don’t think I’ll remember this sucker much , maybe I’d browse through the pictures in the store because I only had the audiobook , but other than that meh .
Also my man Raj is missing here 😂 , but oh well.
My tier ranking of the author books so far :
THE BOY IN THE DRESS, MIDNIGHT GANG >
DEMON DENTIST>
BILLIONAIRE BOY > SLIME