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b00kw0rm113's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
a 200 page children's book really shouldn't be making me cry this much. but anyways its really short, and also has a lot of long lists that i may have skipped over.
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Heart and laughs - great for discussions and to get reluctant readers reading!
This is one of my favourite Walliams' books, a rather sad story about a father and son missing their mum/wife, living hand to mouth and with handmade birthday gifts, trying to find happiness through wealth, but finding in the end it's their love for each other that's the most important thing.
And of course, it's also hilarious - Mr Spud invents a wildly popular new loo roll (Bum Fresh - wet on one side, dry on the other) and he and his son Joe can light £50 notes on fire, they are that rich. Yet Joe isn't happy - he has everything except the one thing he wants... a friend. Insisting he enrol at a regular comprehensive school as just another schoolboy, he is going to discover just what friendship should be, the power of money, and what's important to him.
It is also, of course, a very funny story, with a surreally disgusting school cook and her 'bat sick' menu, school bullies that nobody can tell apart (despite one being a girl and one a boy), and lots of wonderful lists.
Walliams and Lucas have a ball with the voices in this audio adaptation (unabridged). It's a fantastic story to share with a child - in a classroom or bedroom, talking about buying friendship with money, bullying, love, parents, wanting to be rich - so much to discuss.
Now we've read this, my son is keen to watch the BBC adaptation as well, which we will be doing. Just love the idea of this and Walliams' execution of it.
This is one of my favourite Walliams' books, a rather sad story about a father and son missing their mum/wife, living hand to mouth and with handmade birthday gifts, trying to find happiness through wealth, but finding in the end it's their love for each other that's the most important thing.
And of course, it's also hilarious - Mr Spud invents a wildly popular new loo roll (Bum Fresh - wet on one side, dry on the other) and he and his son Joe can light £50 notes on fire, they are that rich. Yet Joe isn't happy - he has everything except the one thing he wants... a friend. Insisting he enrol at a regular comprehensive school as just another schoolboy, he is going to discover just what friendship should be, the power of money, and what's important to him.
It is also, of course, a very funny story, with a surreally disgusting school cook and her 'bat sick' menu, school bullies that nobody can tell apart (despite one being a girl and one a boy), and lots of wonderful lists.
Walliams and Lucas have a ball with the voices in this audio adaptation (unabridged). It's a fantastic story to share with a child - in a classroom or bedroom, talking about buying friendship with money, bullying, love, parents, wanting to be rich - so much to discuss.
Now we've read this, my son is keen to watch the BBC adaptation as well, which we will be doing. Just love the idea of this and Walliams' execution of it.
skittyrreads's review
sad
fast-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
1.5
David Walliams third book, "Billionaire Boy" is easily his worst by far, his main character Joe being bland, his friendship with Bob didn't have me feeling anything in particular and the constant fatphobia and weird shit in regards to gender did nothing for me. Half a star for a funny Piers Morgan joke however.
bear_reading's review
lighthearted
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
2.75
litpicks's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
speakingspirit's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
joweston's review
4.0
More fabulous storytelling from DW. Had us howling on a long car journey. My children, 10 and 9 totally get the messages and adore the humour. Only one to go (boo hop) until we are all run out of these wonderful books.