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kim_j_dare's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of my favorite books growing up... I have distinct memories of my 10-year-old self sitting and reading in shivery delight. And it was with this book that I discovered my lifelong love of [a:Edward Gorey|21578|Edward Gorey|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1200338278p2/21578.jpg]'s illustrations. As I've been slowly making my way through the delightful [b:Floating Worlds: The Letters of Edward Gorey & Peter F. Neumeyer|11461883|Floating Worlds The Letters of Edward Gorey & Peter F. Neumeyer|Edward Gorey|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327891958s/11461883.jpg|16396043], this story has been on my mind, but I had a little trepidation about going back and re-reading it: what if, almost 40 years after my initial reading, the story fell flat for me? How disappointing! But yesterday I faced my fears and opened it up again, and needn't have worried: the magic of [a:John Bellairs|101070|John Bellairs|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1197854239p2/101070.jpg] swept me right back in with his warm and humorous writing and his quirky characters. I love Lewis and Uncle Jonathan and Mrs. Zimmerman, and the Izards ooze evil. It was a real treat to go back and re-read this favorite.
heartsdesire's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 chocolate cookies for Lewis, lol.
this book keeps my focus on it among my hectic schedule, and voila, I finish it. congratulations me! lol. I'm happy to finish it before the movie comes out on September. though it keeps me around, I'm still kinda dissapointed because it doesn't fill my expectations.
I wish for more actions, real and elaborated or at least not that simple. I expect for more magic shown by Lewis, Uncle Jonathan, and Mrs. Z. further it seriously paces up around the ending; seriously pacing up, trust me on this. I mean for example the problem starts around this month and solved in 3-4 months and it has s l o w development until somewhere along the line I'm not sure this is the problem because it's not (yet) problematic enough. I repeatedly thought "okay, only this?" next, about Lewis, well I sometimes lose patience with him because he's that naive about sling suck boy Tarby and he couldn't even show Tarby what he actually deserves for being that kind of dull and annoying person, lol. he needs to be woken.
apart from lacking in those departments, it's a wonderful journey with this one. the sentences enthrall you, or at least me. I can feel the magic tiptoeing in every corner wherever I look up on the story and hell yes this is what I want. the magic may lack of apparition, lol, but THE FEEL, I LOVE IT. the main idea about a house with a clock ticking in its walls itself has hooked me right to the gut, so I'm sold. probably going to peek around the second book; I want to live longer in 100 High Street!
this book keeps my focus on it among my hectic schedule, and voila, I finish it. congratulations me! lol. I'm happy to finish it before the movie comes out on September. though it keeps me around, I'm still kinda dissapointed because it doesn't fill my expectations.
I wish for more actions, real and elaborated or at least not that simple. I expect for more magic shown by Lewis, Uncle Jonathan, and Mrs. Z. further it seriously paces up around the ending; seriously pacing up, trust me on this. I mean for example the problem starts around this month and solved in 3-4 months and it has s l o w development until somewhere along the line I'm not sure this is the problem because it's not (yet) problematic enough. I repeatedly thought "okay, only this?" next, about Lewis, well I sometimes lose patience with him because he's that naive about sling suck boy Tarby and he couldn't even show Tarby what he actually deserves for being that kind of dull and annoying person, lol. he needs to be woken.
apart from lacking in those departments, it's a wonderful journey with this one. the sentences enthrall you, or at least me. I can feel the magic tiptoeing in every corner wherever I look up on the story and hell yes this is what I want. the magic may lack of apparition, lol, but THE FEEL, I LOVE IT. the main idea about a house with a clock ticking in its walls itself has hooked me right to the gut, so I'm sold. probably going to peek around the second book; I want to live longer in 100 High Street!
bethlee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
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