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A review by annoyedhumanoid
The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict by Trenton Lee Stewart
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
this was my favorite book as a child. revisiting it was a trying time. i had thought of myself as Nicholas (and the boy i had a crush on in gymnastics as John), and now i realize just how annoying Nicholas was, and how annoying i must have been too.
it is crazy long, especially for a middle grade. it took until the last fifth to reach and sustain an engaging pace.
but that last fifth… i forgive many of its faults just for the wonderful ending. and in my headcanon, unsupported by The Mysterious Benedict Society, Nicholas and John grow up to be high-society recluse lovers à la the Rothschilds.
it is crazy long, especially for a middle grade. it took until the last fifth to reach and sustain an engaging pace.
but that last fifth… i forgive many of its faults just for the wonderful ending. and in my headcanon, unsupported by The Mysterious Benedict Society, Nicholas and John grow up to be high-society recluse lovers à la the Rothschilds.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Body shaming, Violence, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Blood, and Death of parent