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bookishrealm 's review for:
The Secret of the Old Clock
by Carolyn Keene
Written For Its Time
I have some thoughts about this book that are probably unpopular. I decided to pick up this book for a project that I'm working on and it made me reminiscent of my childhood when I read later versions of Nancy Drew. This book definitely doesn't hold up against the test of time. While this version is edited and changed from its 1930a version there is still some language used that wouldn't be close to appropriate today. My three star rating isn't because of this as I can appreciate the context in which a book is written. The book itself was strange haha. Nancy was meeting up with random people at their houses, she attempted to stop three male robbers by herself with no help or way to contact anyone for help. And he said never thought to stop in fact he encouraged her with a simple "please be safe." I literally dropped my jaw when I realized that no one and I mean no one found Nancy's behavior strange. Also, everything was convenient for Nancy. I mean situations literally fell into her lap and worked out perfectly to the point that it was unbelievable. Yet, I still enjoyed her as a character. She was kind and genuinely wanted to help people. She didn't always make the smartest decisions but intent was good. I think she got more not solving this case and helping people than anything else. I would caution readers to consider the time line when reading this book. It's not perfect and you have to understand the time in which it was published. When you at it through that lens it definitely becomes a little easier to read.
I have some thoughts about this book that are probably unpopular. I decided to pick up this book for a project that I'm working on and it made me reminiscent of my childhood when I read later versions of Nancy Drew. This book definitely doesn't hold up against the test of time. While this version is edited and changed from its 1930a version there is still some language used that wouldn't be close to appropriate today. My three star rating isn't because of this as I can appreciate the context in which a book is written. The book itself was strange haha. Nancy was meeting up with random people at their houses, she attempted to stop three male robbers by herself with no help or way to contact anyone for help. And he said never thought to stop in fact he encouraged her with a simple "please be safe." I literally dropped my jaw when I realized that no one and I mean no one found Nancy's behavior strange. Also, everything was convenient for Nancy. I mean situations literally fell into her lap and worked out perfectly to the point that it was unbelievable. Yet, I still enjoyed her as a character. She was kind and genuinely wanted to help people. She didn't always make the smartest decisions but intent was good. I think she got more not solving this case and helping people than anything else. I would caution readers to consider the time line when reading this book. It's not perfect and you have to understand the time in which it was published. When you at it through that lens it definitely becomes a little easier to read.