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meepymeep's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Not as good as Dragt's other book, "The Letter for the King", but definitely lived up to my expectations. There were parts where the character who we are following throughout the book is in the dark, and I found things got a little confusing there, but not to the point where I couldn't continue. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed it and it's definitely worth a read
keykey's review against another edition
5.0
dit was echt een leuk boek om te kezen, en laat zich ook goed voorlezen. het is soms een beetje ouderwets, maar dat geeft het dan ook wel weer iets nostalgisch. een aanrader voor wie van een beetje avontuur en mysterie houd. maar een niet te moeilijk boek wil.
mat_tobin's review
4.0
The second of Dragt's books that I have read and one which, unusually, has an adult protagonist in the guide of Frans van der Steg, a storytelling teacher. Although I enjoyed [b:The Letter for the King|21028440|The Letter for the King|Tonke Dragt|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1498744578s/21028440.jpg|1329309] more with its easier-to-follow narrative, there was still so much here to celebrate. The characters are complex, the set elusive and wild (reminding me of Wynne Jones and Aiken in a way) and the plot itself - super-smart.
When Frans van der Steg arrives at his new school, he falls on telling the children stories as a reward for their hard work. One day though, he begins a story which starts to show elements of truth and become real. The teacher and his class find themselves involved in a deep conspiracy which involves saving a boy from a wicked uncle who wishes to find a long-hidden treasure destined for his nephew.
Again, I am floored by how accomplished Laura Watkinson is in her translation. Riddles and word-play about in this Dutch children's book yet none of the humour or play seems to have been lost at all. I would agree with reviews that says this book is not for all readers but then, which book is? I think what they mean is that it asks a lot of the reader to work and stay with it but if you do so, you open up a rare little treasure of a book.
When Frans van der Steg arrives at his new school, he falls on telling the children stories as a reward for their hard work. One day though, he begins a story which starts to show elements of truth and become real. The teacher and his class find themselves involved in a deep conspiracy which involves saving a boy from a wicked uncle who wishes to find a long-hidden treasure destined for his nephew.
Again, I am floored by how accomplished Laura Watkinson is in her translation. Riddles and word-play about in this Dutch children's book yet none of the humour or play seems to have been lost at all. I would agree with reviews that says this book is not for all readers but then, which book is? I think what they mean is that it asks a lot of the reader to work and stay with it but if you do so, you open up a rare little treasure of a book.
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