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mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
First of all this: Lemony!!! <3 <3
So now we have that out of the way, let's talk about this book. It was wonderful and also totally like something Lemony would make. It was mysterious, a bit silly (loved the extra comments under some of the text). Though I didn't feel like they were myths exactly, more like facts/story broken up in parts. Also we never really find out the mystery or what is really wrong with the pharmacy.
But it is fun, because it shows how much kids see things and make a huge deal out of it. Thinking it is mysterious or that there must be something behind it.
The illustrations, beautiful, gorgeous and great. Love the colours, love how Lisa Brown's style of illustrations fits perfectly with Lemony's style of writing.
Also people: The Jacket of the book! Be sure to check that one out, you are in for a wonderful surprise. :)
So now we have that out of the way, let's talk about this book. It was wonderful and also totally like something Lemony would make. It was mysterious, a bit silly (loved the extra comments under some of the text). Though I didn't feel like they were myths exactly, more like facts/story broken up in parts. Also we never really find out the mystery or what is really wrong with the pharmacy.
But it is fun, because it shows how much kids see things and make a huge deal out of it. Thinking it is mysterious or that there must be something behind it.
The illustrations, beautiful, gorgeous and great. Love the colours, love how Lisa Brown's style of illustrations fits perfectly with Lemony's style of writing.
Also people: The Jacket of the book! Be sure to check that one out, you are in for a wonderful surprise. :)
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
Apparently this book isn't well received. I don't totally get why--I think this book set out to do something, and it did it.
What I think it set out to do: 1) create a shroud of mystery surrounding Swinster's pharmacy, 2) make the pharmacy seem really bizarre, 3) just kidding, totally normal pharmacy, 4) ...right? But, really. I think the "point" of this book is to ask questions, to try to learn things for yourself, and to learn how to come to conclusions based on those questions and answers you ask and receive.
What I think this book does: exactly the above.
I don't know, maybe every one else is right, and maybe I'm a total sucker for Lemony Snicket. But this book was interesting, made me question the pharmacy, and most importantly--made me turn the page. And isn't that what a book is supposed to do? Make me read and possibly learn something along the way?
Also, I totally love the fact that this book doesn't totally follow standard children's literature conventions. I love the fact that the book questions a bizarre pharmacy, and therefore becomes a bit bizarre itself. I love the fact that it made me feel like a detective, even if I ultimately was unable to come to a conclusion--because here's the thing: sometimes you just can't come to a conclusion about things, and that's neither here nor there. Sometimes even with all the facts, or as many facts as you can possibly gather, a conclusion just can't be made. And there's a beauty in that.
Anyways, I think this book conveys its theme really well, and I think Lemony Snicket does a great job at doing it.
Review cross-listed here!
What I think it set out to do: 1) create a shroud of mystery surrounding Swinster's pharmacy, 2) make the pharmacy seem really bizarre, 3) just kidding, totally normal pharmacy, 4) ...right? But, really. I think the "point" of this book is to ask questions, to try to learn things for yourself, and to learn how to come to conclusions based on those questions and answers you ask and receive.
What I think this book does: exactly the above.
I don't know, maybe every one else is right, and maybe I'm a total sucker for Lemony Snicket. But this book was interesting, made me question the pharmacy, and most importantly--made me turn the page. And isn't that what a book is supposed to do? Make me read and possibly learn something along the way?
Also, I totally love the fact that this book doesn't totally follow standard children's literature conventions. I love the fact that the book questions a bizarre pharmacy, and therefore becomes a bit bizarre itself. I love the fact that it made me feel like a detective, even if I ultimately was unable to come to a conclusion--because here's the thing: sometimes you just can't come to a conclusion about things, and that's neither here nor there. Sometimes even with all the facts, or as many facts as you can possibly gather, a conclusion just can't be made. And there's a beauty in that.
Anyways, I think this book conveys its theme really well, and I think Lemony Snicket does a great job at doing it.
Review cross-listed here!
johnnymacaroni's review against another edition
2.0
OMG completely bizarre. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I usually like bizarre and quirky things. The 29th myth is just sort of creepy the way I read it and such an odd way to end on an already odd book. Some of it made me chuckle and I really like the illustrations.
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
1.0
Very random. Did not see the point to this book at all.
arundlestl's review against another edition
1.0
This gets one star mostly because I don't understand.
moonpie's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't sure what to make of 29 Myths at first -- it's a slightly sinister little picture book that seems very off-the-wall and scattered. It made more sense when I read an interview with the illustrator, Lisa Brown, who said:
Yep. That makes more sense. Just don't go into it expecting a coherent plot; it's not that kind of picture book. It is, literally, 29 numbered snippets or "myths" about Swinster Pharmacy. The main character seems to be a young boy, and his sister plays a supporting role, but they're not really the point of the book. The illustrations are perfectly matched to Snicket's tone.
My favorite myth was #12:
I started illustrating The Swinster Pharmacy in 1993. Daniel and I had these friends who made little books together in lieu of Christmas cards every year, and we thought, “We should do that.” So I illustrated a poem he had written in college, fully intending to xerox it off and send it out. That didn’t happen. Well, it did, but 20 years later.
Yep. That makes more sense. Just don't go into it expecting a coherent plot; it's not that kind of picture book. It is, literally, 29 numbered snippets or "myths" about Swinster Pharmacy. The main character seems to be a young boy, and his sister plays a supporting role, but they're not really the point of the book. The illustrations are perfectly matched to Snicket's tone.
My favorite myth was #12:
In all of our dreams
the Pharmacy squats in the middle of the block
like something blue and hungry.
In the morning it is on the corner.
barbarianlibarian's review against another edition
1.0
damn you Lemony Snicket! this book makes no sense and has no point!
flajol's review against another edition
2.0
Strange, and I just didn't understand it. Maybe I need to find a small child who likes this book, and get them to explain it to me. Although I suspect that if you need it explained, you're just never going to get it.
msmahlon's review against another edition
3.0
Peculiar, tone-heavy, and delightfully nonnarrative. The 29 poems and illustrations are in perfect harmony.