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bittersweet_symphony's review against another edition
4.0
The characters were very likable and the magic not overstated.
I'm not sure if I'll continue with the series. Not much happened, plotwise, and there wasn't actually a ton of "world-building. Still, I think it's a fantastic read for late elementary/early middle school students.
P.S. I love the personality baked into the house the town.
I'm not sure if I'll continue with the series. Not much happened, plotwise, and there wasn't actually a ton of "world-building. Still, I think it's a fantastic read for late elementary/early middle school students.
P.S. I love the personality baked into the house the town.
amandadelbrocco's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I distinctly remember an elementary school teacher reading this to us as a read aloud and I seriously have no idea what they were thinking. I enjoyed it as an adult but it was definitely dated.
jowithtwoiis's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the "old fashioned" adventure aspect of this book. It's a gentle and yet still thrilling ride to the conclusion. I also appreciate how clean and fresh a read it was. There is none of the rampant ironic/jaded tone so many current kids books have. It was a nice look back at the kind of writing I remember reading as a kid. I'd recommend it to a kid who wants a spooky story but really isn't that keen on being actually scared.
annashiv's review against another edition
3.0
Very fun and whimsical. I thought the writing pretty decent, if not good, but especially talented when it came to sound descriptors. Still, it's a very strange book, nonsensical even. It just seems like the kind of story a parent would come up with on the spot when telling their child a bedtime story, especially the end which is basically just made up nonsense that wraps up everything. It's just odd. But it did feel nostalgic despite never reading it in my youth. It just has that feel, possibly because of the great moody illustrations or the whimsical magic and nonsense. It was enjoyable storytelling, but not great in terms of plot and development. So as long as you go into it knowing that and feel like reading something of this nature, by all means, pick it up. Otherwise, perhaps it's best left for children at bedtime.
I'm interested in seeing what the movie makes of it all and how closely it resembles this.
I'm interested in seeing what the movie makes of it all and how closely it resembles this.
huddlej's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I can see now why Lemony Snicket references this book in his series “All The Wrong Questions”; this feels like a blueprint for that series and so many others in the genre. It is funny, adventurous, and dark. The protagonists are goofy but caring and sincerely care for each other. The antagonists are appropriately creepy and threatening for the target age of younger readers. My main complaint is that the ending is abrupt and unsatisfying for all of the detail that went into the setup.
Content Warnings
Minor: War and Body shaming
schwimfan's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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
5.0
An excellent reading of an absolute classic.
John wrote many great books but there is a reason this is the classic.
John wrote many great books but there is a reason this is the classic.
jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
as we closed the book after reading the final page tonight, the kiddo said "And NOW we can go see the movie!" I've taught him well....always read the book before seeing the movie. :D
katykelly's review against another edition
3.0
Mystery/fantasy with good elements but hasn't aged well.
I had heard there was a film made of this, and I like to read 'modern classic' children's books, see the scope of what's out there. This was a little disappointing in some respects for me.
Lewis has lost both of his parents, and has had to come and live with his uncle in a new town. From the moment he arrives, he knows his new home is somewhat magical. His uncle and next door neighbour appear to have abilities, the house itself is unusual, and there seems to be some sort of ticking in the walls at night...
My favourite thing about this book was the relationship between uncle Jonathon and his next door neighbour, the biting insults that mask their respect for each other, I liked both their characters. Lewis himself is a regular boy, who struggles to make friends and tries too hard, then becomes the centre of a plot about dead owners and taking over the world. There were big 'aims' but the payoff was fairly poor, in my opinion.
The ending seemed to come quickly and be over without much of the usual clash/battle/explanation. And Lewis's struggle with friendships was also neatly and succinctly sorted in one sentence as well. There isn't adequate exposition for me, I didn't understand really the 'why' of what was going on, as well as scenes such as the car following the protagonists.
Old-fashioned in some of the language and context (religious Latin phrases from a small boy) will go over the heads of contemporary readers.
It felt as though more could have been made of this. I understand it is a series of books, I can see how the characters will flourish along the lines already started, but it's not going to be a favourite of mine. I liked the idea, the house and the adult characters.
One for ages 8-11.
I had heard there was a film made of this, and I like to read 'modern classic' children's books, see the scope of what's out there. This was a little disappointing in some respects for me.
Lewis has lost both of his parents, and has had to come and live with his uncle in a new town. From the moment he arrives, he knows his new home is somewhat magical. His uncle and next door neighbour appear to have abilities, the house itself is unusual, and there seems to be some sort of ticking in the walls at night...
My favourite thing about this book was the relationship between uncle Jonathon and his next door neighbour, the biting insults that mask their respect for each other, I liked both their characters. Lewis himself is a regular boy, who struggles to make friends and tries too hard, then becomes the centre of a plot about dead owners and taking over the world. There were big 'aims' but the payoff was fairly poor, in my opinion.
The ending seemed to come quickly and be over without much of the usual clash/battle/explanation. And Lewis's struggle with friendships was also neatly and succinctly sorted in one sentence as well. There isn't adequate exposition for me, I didn't understand really the 'why' of what was going on, as well as scenes such as the car following the protagonists.
Old-fashioned in some of the language and context (religious Latin phrases from a small boy) will go over the heads of contemporary readers.
It felt as though more could have been made of this. I understand it is a series of books, I can see how the characters will flourish along the lines already started, but it's not going to be a favourite of mine. I liked the idea, the house and the adult characters.
One for ages 8-11.
chuskeyreads's review against another edition
2.0
For such a short book, it took me over a week to finish it. Like many books written in the 1970s, this story is mostly telling with little explanation of the ‘why and ‘how.’
I mean, why was Mr. Izard trying to destroy the world? What was Mrs. Izard planning? Why did the Hanchetts move? How did Mr. Izard’s spirit get in the clock?
The characters are flat. The plot is sparse and full of holes, and the insta-friend at the end was ridiculous.
Spoiler
I mean, why was Mr. Izard trying to destroy the world? What was Mrs. Izard planning? Why did the Hanchetts move? How did Mr. Izard’s spirit get in the clock?
The characters are flat. The plot is sparse and full of holes, and the insta-friend at the end was ridiculous.