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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
Read this for our staff book group as an adventure story. Much less actual adventure than I expected, much more a story of friendship. Enjoyable but now I want to know what happened to the grandparents and I don't want to start any new series!
I loved everything about this book. The whimsy. The characters. The wild implausibility of the whole thing. The illustrations. It's a book for dreamers, written about a dreamer.
My video review: https://youtu.be/OGoGJnHhm-4
The Doldrums is Nicholas Gannon’s debut novel, published in September of 2015. Now not only did he write this charming book, but he also illustrated all of the whimsical illustrations within it. And I have to say, the art style is PERFECT for a middle-grade book.
But illustrations aside, let’s talk about the story.
STORY:
Archer Helmsley was a dreamer ever since he was born. Archer is grandson to renowned explorers Ralph and Rachel Helmsley, and he looks up to them immensely despite having never met them. On his ninth birthday it’s discovered that his grandparents have been lost in the Antarctic stranded on an iceberg. He grows up living in his grandparent’s house which does much to inspire his adventurous imagination. You see, the house is filled with tons of wacky things belonging to his grandparents, some of which include taxidermy animals such as a giraffe, polar bear, ostrich, and penguins.
He lives here with his parents who are not like his grandparents. They don’t have the same adventurous spirit. In fact, the mother is so scared Archer will end up stranded on an iceberg or something similar, that she locks him in the house (besides him going to school) and tries to keep him away from his grandparents influence. This only strengthens his yearning for adventure as he has nothing else to do, and ends up talking to all the stuffed animals.
One day some mysterious packages arrive containing items from his grandparents exhibitions, and Archer decides it’s about time he plans a journey to head to Antarctica to save his grandparents, as he’s determined they’re not dead.
Now, the story is set up into three parts.
The first part introduces us to the characters, Archer being one of them of course. He also meets a friend who lives next to him named Oliver, and they meet up on Archer’s balcony and roof to plan their adventure. The next friend he meets who joins in on his plan is a Parisian girl by the name of Adelaide Belmont (pardon my French). She is my favorite character out of the trio, as she has the most interesting back story. She also likes croissants and coffee, and has a wooden leg. Wooden legs are cool.
The second part is dedicated to planning for their adventure, and the third part I don’t want to spoil, but let’s just say the subtitle of the book suits this story perfectly.
THE WRITING:
I was surprised when looking at GoodReads, to find many negative reviews stating that this book was slow moving and boring. That thought never crossed my mind, as I read the majority of the book in one day, and thoroughly enjoyed it. The writing is witty, using many literary devices and a lot of subtle humor to draw you in. The wordplay made this book quite a bit of fun and made me reminiscent of A Series of Unfortunate Events. I can agree, that if you went into this expecting a huge adventure then it may have been a tad disappointing, as adventure doesn’t swoop you off your feet here, but it does build up for the second book.
I read this book at a perfect time, having just finishing the long (and amazing) Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson, I needed a easy reading middle-grade to pick me up from the high. The Doldrums was quite enjoyable, and the charming illustrations are an added bonus. Just a heads up, only the hardback edition has colored illustrations.
The Doldrums is Nicholas Gannon’s debut novel, published in September of 2015. Now not only did he write this charming book, but he also illustrated all of the whimsical illustrations within it. And I have to say, the art style is PERFECT for a middle-grade book.
But illustrations aside, let’s talk about the story.
STORY:
Archer Helmsley was a dreamer ever since he was born. Archer is grandson to renowned explorers Ralph and Rachel Helmsley, and he looks up to them immensely despite having never met them. On his ninth birthday it’s discovered that his grandparents have been lost in the Antarctic stranded on an iceberg. He grows up living in his grandparent’s house which does much to inspire his adventurous imagination. You see, the house is filled with tons of wacky things belonging to his grandparents, some of which include taxidermy animals such as a giraffe, polar bear, ostrich, and penguins.
He lives here with his parents who are not like his grandparents. They don’t have the same adventurous spirit. In fact, the mother is so scared Archer will end up stranded on an iceberg or something similar, that she locks him in the house (besides him going to school) and tries to keep him away from his grandparents influence. This only strengthens his yearning for adventure as he has nothing else to do, and ends up talking to all the stuffed animals.
One day some mysterious packages arrive containing items from his grandparents exhibitions, and Archer decides it’s about time he plans a journey to head to Antarctica to save his grandparents, as he’s determined they’re not dead.
Now, the story is set up into three parts.
The first part introduces us to the characters, Archer being one of them of course. He also meets a friend who lives next to him named Oliver, and they meet up on Archer’s balcony and roof to plan their adventure. The next friend he meets who joins in on his plan is a Parisian girl by the name of Adelaide Belmont (pardon my French). She is my favorite character out of the trio, as she has the most interesting back story. She also likes croissants and coffee, and has a wooden leg. Wooden legs are cool.
The second part is dedicated to planning for their adventure, and the third part I don’t want to spoil, but let’s just say the subtitle of the book suits this story perfectly.
THE WRITING:
I was surprised when looking at GoodReads, to find many negative reviews stating that this book was slow moving and boring. That thought never crossed my mind, as I read the majority of the book in one day, and thoroughly enjoyed it. The writing is witty, using many literary devices and a lot of subtle humor to draw you in. The wordplay made this book quite a bit of fun and made me reminiscent of A Series of Unfortunate Events. I can agree, that if you went into this expecting a huge adventure then it may have been a tad disappointing, as adventure doesn’t swoop you off your feet here, but it does build up for the second book.
I read this book at a perfect time, having just finishing the long (and amazing) Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson, I needed a easy reading middle-grade to pick me up from the high. The Doldrums was quite enjoyable, and the charming illustrations are an added bonus. Just a heads up, only the hardback edition has colored illustrations.
I would have liked more talking taxidermy and adventure. I felt the middle was a bit soggy, although I adored Adelaide. (More disability in our kid's books, please!) I wish the parents were a little more present and accountable - my biggest disappointment was the parental reactions at the end.
Die höchst wundersame Reise zum Ende der Welt von Nicholas Gannon
Zum Inhalt:
Archer Helmsley hat schon immer davon geträumt eines Tages mit seinen Grosseltern, welche berühmte Naturforscher sind, die Welt zu entdecken und Abenteuer zu erleben. Doch dann erreicht ihn die schreckliche Nachricht, dass seine Grosseltern auf einer Expedition auf einem Eisberg spurlose verschwunden sind. Von da an lässt ihm seine Mutter kaum mehr Freiheiten, aus Angst ihm könnte aufgrund seiner Abenteuerlust etwas Ähnliches passieren. Doch für Archer verstärkt dies nur seinen Entschluss, er muss losziehen um seine Grosseltern zu finden...
Meine Meinung:
"Die höchst wundersame Reise zum Ende der Welt" fällt durch seine wundervolle Aufmachung sofort auf. Auf dem Buchcover sind die drei Hauptfiguren Archer, Oliver und Adélaide zu sehen und zudem einige Gegenstände, welche in der Geschichte jeweils eine gewisse Rolle spielen. Doch nicht nur das Äussere des Buches ist wunderschön gestaltet, auch im Innern sind immer wieder ganzseitige oder sogar doppelseitige, wunderschöne Illustrationen im Stil des Covers zu finden. Diese stammen vom Autor selbst und verleihen der Geschichte sofort eine ganz einzigartige Atmosphäre.
So ist mir auch der Einstieg in die Geschichte super leicht gefallen und durch die vielen tollen Illustrationen flogen die Seiten in den ersten Kapiteln nur so dahin und ohne dass ich es wirklich merkte, lag ungefähr das erste Drittel der Geschichte hinter mir. Danach wartete ich jedoch immer ungeduldiger darauf, dass Archer und seine Freunde tatsächlich bald zu einem grossen Abenteuer aufbrechen würden, doch je länger Archer in seinem Haus festsass und je mehr Kapitel vergingen, in denen immer neue Pläne geschmiedet wurden, desto mehr begann sich das Buch zu ziehen und irgendwann wurde mir klar, dass ich wohl vergeblich auf ein Abenteuer wartete.
Um ehrlich zu sein erleben Archer und seine Freunde zwar durchaus ein paar kleine Abenteuer, doch aufgrund des Titel hätte ich erwartet, dass Archer tatsächlich eine Reise unternimmt. Vielleicht nicht gerade bis zum Ende der Welt, aber zumindest weiter, als bis zum nächsten Hafen (welcher sich in Archers Heimstadt befindet). Die Geschichte lässt sich dafür viel Zeit um das Leben der Figuren zu beschreiben und so erfährt man insbesondere auch sehr viel über Adélaide, was beispielsweise Archer und Oliver gar nicht wissen.
Mir hat auch gut gefallen wie sich die Freundschaft der drei entwickelt und wie gut sich die einzelnen Figuren ergänzen. Archer war mir von den ersten Seiten an super sympathische, er ist ein echter Träumer und durch die vielen interessanten Gegenstände im Haus der Helmsleys, welches früher auch das Haus von Archers Grosseltern war, wird seine Fantasie noch weiter angeheizt. Zudem ist Archer auch super neugierig und wissbegierig und ständig am Pläne schmieden, welche allerdings nicht immer super praktisch sind. Adélaide zieht erst im Verlauf der Geschichte neu in die Stadt, sie stammt ursprünglich aus Paris und war eine Ballerina, bis sie einen Unfall hatte. Sie lässt sich dadurch jedoch nicht runterkriegen und ist sofort bei Archers Plänen dabei. Oliver, ist dagegen um einiges skeptischer und eigentlich auch nicht der grosse Abenteurer, doch er ist ein treuer Freund und wächst über sich hinaus um Archer und Adélaide beizustehen.
So sympathisch mir die Kinder waren, so unausstehlich ist die Lehrerin der drei, Mrs. Murkley. Diese wird schnell zur Feindin der drei. Teilweise ist es echt amüsant wie übertrieben schrecklich Mrs. Murkley ist, doch teilweise wurde es mir fast ein bisschen zu viel. Die Figur hat keinerlei gute Seiten, doch nachdem was am Ende der Geschichte passiert tat sie mir trotzdem fast leid. Sowieso hat mich das Ende etwas gespalten zurückgelassen, ich bin aber dennoch sehr gespannt darauf im zweiten Teil noch mehr über Archers Grosseltern zu erfahren.
Fazit:
Insgesamt hat mir "Die höchst wundersame Reise zum Ende der Welt" wirklich gut gefallen, obschon ich aufgrund des Titels eine spannendere Geschichte erwartet hätte. Die Geschichte ist eher ruhig und hat leider auch ein paar Längen, dafür überzeugt das Buch durch seine tolle Aufmachung, die wunderschönen Illustrationen und den sympathischen Figuren. Ich bin gespannt auf den zweiten Teil, welcher hoffentlich auch etwas temporeicher wird.
3,5*
Zum Inhalt:
Archer Helmsley hat schon immer davon geträumt eines Tages mit seinen Grosseltern, welche berühmte Naturforscher sind, die Welt zu entdecken und Abenteuer zu erleben. Doch dann erreicht ihn die schreckliche Nachricht, dass seine Grosseltern auf einer Expedition auf einem Eisberg spurlose verschwunden sind. Von da an lässt ihm seine Mutter kaum mehr Freiheiten, aus Angst ihm könnte aufgrund seiner Abenteuerlust etwas Ähnliches passieren. Doch für Archer verstärkt dies nur seinen Entschluss, er muss losziehen um seine Grosseltern zu finden...
Meine Meinung:
"Die höchst wundersame Reise zum Ende der Welt" fällt durch seine wundervolle Aufmachung sofort auf. Auf dem Buchcover sind die drei Hauptfiguren Archer, Oliver und Adélaide zu sehen und zudem einige Gegenstände, welche in der Geschichte jeweils eine gewisse Rolle spielen. Doch nicht nur das Äussere des Buches ist wunderschön gestaltet, auch im Innern sind immer wieder ganzseitige oder sogar doppelseitige, wunderschöne Illustrationen im Stil des Covers zu finden. Diese stammen vom Autor selbst und verleihen der Geschichte sofort eine ganz einzigartige Atmosphäre.
So ist mir auch der Einstieg in die Geschichte super leicht gefallen und durch die vielen tollen Illustrationen flogen die Seiten in den ersten Kapiteln nur so dahin und ohne dass ich es wirklich merkte, lag ungefähr das erste Drittel der Geschichte hinter mir. Danach wartete ich jedoch immer ungeduldiger darauf, dass Archer und seine Freunde tatsächlich bald zu einem grossen Abenteuer aufbrechen würden, doch je länger Archer in seinem Haus festsass und je mehr Kapitel vergingen, in denen immer neue Pläne geschmiedet wurden, desto mehr begann sich das Buch zu ziehen und irgendwann wurde mir klar, dass ich wohl vergeblich auf ein Abenteuer wartete.
Um ehrlich zu sein erleben Archer und seine Freunde zwar durchaus ein paar kleine Abenteuer, doch aufgrund des Titel hätte ich erwartet, dass Archer tatsächlich eine Reise unternimmt. Vielleicht nicht gerade bis zum Ende der Welt, aber zumindest weiter, als bis zum nächsten Hafen (welcher sich in Archers Heimstadt befindet). Die Geschichte lässt sich dafür viel Zeit um das Leben der Figuren zu beschreiben und so erfährt man insbesondere auch sehr viel über Adélaide, was beispielsweise Archer und Oliver gar nicht wissen.
Mir hat auch gut gefallen wie sich die Freundschaft der drei entwickelt und wie gut sich die einzelnen Figuren ergänzen. Archer war mir von den ersten Seiten an super sympathische, er ist ein echter Träumer und durch die vielen interessanten Gegenstände im Haus der Helmsleys, welches früher auch das Haus von Archers Grosseltern war, wird seine Fantasie noch weiter angeheizt. Zudem ist Archer auch super neugierig und wissbegierig und ständig am Pläne schmieden, welche allerdings nicht immer super praktisch sind. Adélaide zieht erst im Verlauf der Geschichte neu in die Stadt, sie stammt ursprünglich aus Paris und war eine Ballerina, bis sie einen Unfall hatte. Sie lässt sich dadurch jedoch nicht runterkriegen und ist sofort bei Archers Plänen dabei. Oliver, ist dagegen um einiges skeptischer und eigentlich auch nicht der grosse Abenteurer, doch er ist ein treuer Freund und wächst über sich hinaus um Archer und Adélaide beizustehen.
So sympathisch mir die Kinder waren, so unausstehlich ist die Lehrerin der drei, Mrs. Murkley. Diese wird schnell zur Feindin der drei. Teilweise ist es echt amüsant wie übertrieben schrecklich Mrs. Murkley ist, doch teilweise wurde es mir fast ein bisschen zu viel. Die Figur hat keinerlei gute Seiten, doch nachdem was am Ende der Geschichte passiert tat sie mir trotzdem fast leid. Sowieso hat mich das Ende etwas gespalten zurückgelassen, ich bin aber dennoch sehr gespannt darauf im zweiten Teil noch mehr über Archers Grosseltern zu erfahren.
Fazit:
Insgesamt hat mir "Die höchst wundersame Reise zum Ende der Welt" wirklich gut gefallen, obschon ich aufgrund des Titels eine spannendere Geschichte erwartet hätte. Die Geschichte ist eher ruhig und hat leider auch ein paar Längen, dafür überzeugt das Buch durch seine tolle Aufmachung, die wunderschönen Illustrationen und den sympathischen Figuren. Ich bin gespannt auf den zweiten Teil, welcher hoffentlich auch etwas temporeicher wird.
3,5*
I've been in a small middle-grade lull, and this pulled me right out! The oddness and subtle humor is reminiscent of The Series of Unfortunate Events, just without the gloomy depressing aspect, contrary to it's 'doldrum' title. I think readers of all ages will love this story. The full color illustrations scattered throughout are splendid, and really add to visualizing the story. These three characters, Archer, Oliver and Adelaide test the bounds of the imagination, and brought me along in their fantastic adventure of exploration.
The art was awesome and the premise had promise. However for a long children's book this story didn't really go anywhere. It didn't pan out and I was stuck in the Doldrums.
It strikes me as slightly paradoxical to enthusiastically praise the wild misadventure and daring do of a book called The Doldrums but the quite frankly brilliant Mr. Nicholas Gannon is forcing me to do just that.
This utterly charming book kept me and my seven year old son fully engrossed for weeks of bedtime reading. The misadventures of Archer Helmsley and his friends Oliver (who's father runs the titular "Doldrums Press") and recent arrival Adelaide have almost a dream like quality to them. Totally enchanting and deliciously amusing even though they're often simply lying on the rooftop of Archer's house dreaming up adventures to have.
Archer spends his days as a virtual prisoner in his own home. A home that once belonged to his grandparents, the most famous explorers who ever lived. He idolizes this mysterious pair who he has never met. As the story begins they have just gone missing while exploring an iceberg in Antarctica and are presumed dead. Determined that Archer should not meet such a fate and concerned over what she calls his "tendencies" toward chaos and destruction his mother refuses to let him step a foot outside the house except to go to school. He longs desperately to follow in his grandparents footsteps and dreams of finding their iceberg and saving them.
Fortunately when he makes the acquaintance of Oliver who's own jovial, comfortable family life is the exact opposite of his own he begins to see the possibility of escape. When Adelaide arrives, a transplant from Paris, France, in desperate need of escape herself the trio is complete and they begin to plan a daring escapade that will free Archer and set them on the road to Antarctica.
There's a lovely, meandering quality to this book. Though often not much more than three children hatching plots is going on there's some internal magic to Gannon's writing that infuses the whole book with a bright, energetic light. His dialogue is perfect, there's plenty of sarcastic humor for grownup readers and I know my son delighted in Archer's antics and his persistence in realizing his dreams. You really root for these kids.
There's also Gannon's brilliant, art decoesque illustrations to delight in. They've got a fantastical quality to them and the color palate never strays to far from pale greens and browns against a tan backdrop. You really do get the sense that you're in the doldrums. But rather than the dank, boring world that word implies Gannon instead gives readers a dreamy, quietly contemplative wonderland that I dearly hope is only the beginning.
This utterly charming book kept me and my seven year old son fully engrossed for weeks of bedtime reading. The misadventures of Archer Helmsley and his friends Oliver (who's father runs the titular "Doldrums Press") and recent arrival Adelaide have almost a dream like quality to them. Totally enchanting and deliciously amusing even though they're often simply lying on the rooftop of Archer's house dreaming up adventures to have.
Archer spends his days as a virtual prisoner in his own home. A home that once belonged to his grandparents, the most famous explorers who ever lived. He idolizes this mysterious pair who he has never met. As the story begins they have just gone missing while exploring an iceberg in Antarctica and are presumed dead. Determined that Archer should not meet such a fate and concerned over what she calls his "tendencies" toward chaos and destruction his mother refuses to let him step a foot outside the house except to go to school. He longs desperately to follow in his grandparents footsteps and dreams of finding their iceberg and saving them.
Fortunately when he makes the acquaintance of Oliver who's own jovial, comfortable family life is the exact opposite of his own he begins to see the possibility of escape. When Adelaide arrives, a transplant from Paris, France, in desperate need of escape herself the trio is complete and they begin to plan a daring escapade that will free Archer and set them on the road to Antarctica.
There's a lovely, meandering quality to this book. Though often not much more than three children hatching plots is going on there's some internal magic to Gannon's writing that infuses the whole book with a bright, energetic light. His dialogue is perfect, there's plenty of sarcastic humor for grownup readers and I know my son delighted in Archer's antics and his persistence in realizing his dreams. You really root for these kids.
There's also Gannon's brilliant, art decoesque illustrations to delight in. They've got a fantastical quality to them and the color palate never strays to far from pale greens and browns against a tan backdrop. You really do get the sense that you're in the doldrums. But rather than the dank, boring world that word implies Gannon instead gives readers a dreamy, quietly contemplative wonderland that I dearly hope is only the beginning.
I loved this book. Full of quirk and adventure, and the illustrations are beautiful. I highly recommend it!
Archer lives in a house that his grandparents filled with all of their discoveries from exploring the world. That’s the closest that Archer has ever gotten to having his own adventure. In fact, he’s really not allowed to leave the house except to attend school because his mother is afraid that he has “tendencies” towards exploring. And she is right! Even though he is stuck in the house, Archer manages to make two close friends in Oliver and Adelaide. The three of them begin planning to rescue Archer’s grandparents from the iceberg where they were last seen two years ago. They have to avoid detection from Archer’s mother as well as their horrible teacher who also lives in their neighborhood. As they plan their escape, the three friends are in for the adventure of a lifetime.
It is amazing that this is Gannon’s debut book. It is written with such surety and clarity. The plot is very strong, one that readers can count on answering questions after allowing the reader to puzzle and stew a bit. The writing is lovely, creating a setting that is clear and crisp. The house itself is a world separate from the rest, filled with mounted animals, surprising gifts, and red trunks. Descriptions are used to create this world and paint it before your eyes. They manage to not slow the pace of the book, which moves from leisurely storytelling to a wild mania at the end.
The illustrations too are exceptional. Done in old-fashioned full-color panels, they are filled with wonderful details. You get to see the various houses depicted in minute detail. The characters too are shown in a wonderful delicacy that shines with lamplight and sun. Even the darkness of the classroom is lit from the side, glowing with a wonder that matches the storyline.
An imaginative and wonderful read, this book is one to snuggle up with and share aloud. Appropriate for ages 8-11.
It is amazing that this is Gannon’s debut book. It is written with such surety and clarity. The plot is very strong, one that readers can count on answering questions after allowing the reader to puzzle and stew a bit. The writing is lovely, creating a setting that is clear and crisp. The house itself is a world separate from the rest, filled with mounted animals, surprising gifts, and red trunks. Descriptions are used to create this world and paint it before your eyes. They manage to not slow the pace of the book, which moves from leisurely storytelling to a wild mania at the end.
The illustrations too are exceptional. Done in old-fashioned full-color panels, they are filled with wonderful details. You get to see the various houses depicted in minute detail. The characters too are shown in a wonderful delicacy that shines with lamplight and sun. Even the darkness of the classroom is lit from the side, glowing with a wonder that matches the storyline.
An imaginative and wonderful read, this book is one to snuggle up with and share aloud. Appropriate for ages 8-11.