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A review by lehughes19
The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline by Nancy Springer
3.0
I am definitely enjoying these books overall and will continue the series, but a few things bug me. First of all, the fact that these books are targeted at middle grade readers is surprising. I wouldn’t want a middle schooler to read these books. A teenager, sure, but no younger. The writing style is definitely more middle grade level at times, with continuous repetition about the same thoughts and feelings (i.e. Do I want to find mum?, corsets suck, I’m alone, I can’t trust anyone).
I also really have to suspend belief that a 14 year old girl who has never left her parents’ country estate can get around London so easily, know enough about different classes/types of ladies to so completely imitate them, know how to manage her money, have the confidence to enter precarious situations, etc. I know many children’s books have a similar trope, but this is a stretch. Her thoughts and reactions are dramatic at times and that’s about the only time she actually acts like a 14 year old with no life experience.
Anyway, they’re enjoyable enough and I’ll finish the series, but I’ll say something I rarely say—the movies are better.
I also really have to suspend belief that a 14 year old girl who has never left her parents’ country estate can get around London so easily, know enough about different classes/types of ladies to so completely imitate them, know how to manage her money, have the confidence to enter precarious situations, etc. I know many children’s books have a similar trope, but this is a stretch. Her thoughts and reactions are dramatic at times and that’s about the only time she actually acts like a 14 year old with no life experience.
Anyway, they’re enjoyable enough and I’ll finish the series, but I’ll say something I rarely say—the movies are better.