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milujuopice's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
lcvesbooks's review against another edition
2.5
i don’t really remember anything from this book? yet i somehow managed to finish it. definitely not the best i’ve read by david walliams.
katykelly's review against another edition
3.0
Familiar script now, daft and over-the-top characters and situations.
Working in a library this morning, I was talking about Walliams with a 9-year-old customer. He was surprised when I told him I hadn't really enjoyed the latest from the author, as he'd loved it. And maybe I'm doing the books a disservice, because, yes, his target audience DOES tend to love them. But that doesn't mean I need to gush and heap praise on them when I don't think it's deserved. Does it?
They've felt phoned-in and rushed-out for a while now. I was pleased to see another period piece here (after The Ice Monster), especially as my eldest is studying World War II at school. And there are some great war details included, so that was a positive.
It was the story though, the usual over-the-top stereotypes, the zany and overdone last act, and as an audiobook listener, some annoying voices that grated.
Orphaned by the war, Eric has few friends but Gertrude, a gorilla at London Zoo, and her keeper, his uncle Sid. The German bombs end up causing Gertrude to escape her cage, which in turns means the owner of the zoo determines to have her put down (yep, it's a bit forced), so the three of them decide the best course of action is to run away. Cue a big country-wide chase, and lots of female clothing. And a final act involving two not-at-all suspicious old ladies in a dilapidated seaside boarding house.
Madcap. Zany. Quirky. Hmm. It didn't hit the spot for me at all. The woman voicing Eric didn't help, yet another grating stereotype that didn't fit. An actual child's voice would have been nice.
It was all just a bit much. Gertrude could have been more sympathetic, it almost felt exploitative even though it is literally words on a page.
I think I just miss the heart of Walliams' earliest novels. The ones that felt personal and could actually bring a tear to your eye. And the amount of celebrity authors now following in his footsteps jades me as well.
My eldest (nearly 10) hasn't read this yet but I'll be very interested in his opinion. Don't listen to drained little me, this is just the opinion of a very-much-not-the-target-audience mum and librarian.
For fans aged 7-11.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
Working in a library this morning, I was talking about Walliams with a 9-year-old customer. He was surprised when I told him I hadn't really enjoyed the latest from the author, as he'd loved it. And maybe I'm doing the books a disservice, because, yes, his target audience DOES tend to love them. But that doesn't mean I need to gush and heap praise on them when I don't think it's deserved. Does it?
They've felt phoned-in and rushed-out for a while now. I was pleased to see another period piece here (after The Ice Monster), especially as my eldest is studying World War II at school. And there are some great war details included, so that was a positive.
It was the story though, the usual over-the-top stereotypes, the zany and overdone last act, and as an audiobook listener, some annoying voices that grated.
Orphaned by the war, Eric has few friends but Gertrude, a gorilla at London Zoo, and her keeper, his uncle Sid. The German bombs end up causing Gertrude to escape her cage, which in turns means the owner of the zoo determines to have her put down (yep, it's a bit forced), so the three of them decide the best course of action is to run away. Cue a big country-wide chase, and lots of female clothing. And a final act involving two not-at-all suspicious old ladies in a dilapidated seaside boarding house.
Madcap. Zany. Quirky. Hmm. It didn't hit the spot for me at all. The woman voicing Eric didn't help, yet another grating stereotype that didn't fit. An actual child's voice would have been nice.
It was all just a bit much. Gertrude could have been more sympathetic, it almost felt exploitative even though it is literally words on a page.
I think I just miss the heart of Walliams' earliest novels. The ones that felt personal and could actually bring a tear to your eye. And the amount of celebrity authors now following in his footsteps jades me as well.
My eldest (nearly 10) hasn't read this yet but I'll be very interested in his opinion. Don't listen to drained little me, this is just the opinion of a very-much-not-the-target-audience mum and librarian.
For fans aged 7-11.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
the_empty_bookself's review against another edition
5.0
Bed time story for my not so little man.
David Williams doesn’t just write for the kids he makes it tolerable and very enjoyable for the adults too.
Set in the Second World War, Eric is an orphan, his only remaining family member is his uncle Sid who is a zookeeper at London zoo. Eric finds a friendship with Gertrude the ape, the decision is made for Gertrude to be put to sleep, Eric and Sid take it upon themselves to save Gertrude but in doing so get involved in a horrific Nazi plot! Can Eric, his uncle and an ape save London from the Nazi’s?!
I loved this as it introduced questions about the war and discussions of the past and how life would have been to live back in the 1940’s. Not only fun but educational...though bananas weren’t an easy find back then of course!
David Williams doesn’t just write for the kids he makes it tolerable and very enjoyable for the adults too.
Set in the Second World War, Eric is an orphan, his only remaining family member is his uncle Sid who is a zookeeper at London zoo. Eric finds a friendship with Gertrude the ape, the decision is made for Gertrude to be put to sleep, Eric and Sid take it upon themselves to save Gertrude but in doing so get involved in a horrific Nazi plot! Can Eric, his uncle and an ape save London from the Nazi’s?!
I loved this as it introduced questions about the war and discussions of the past and how life would have been to live back in the 1940’s. Not only fun but educational...though bananas weren’t an easy find back then of course!
smeets_books's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ndowd's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
book_girl2010's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
smitchy's review against another edition
3.0
If you are looking to entertain 7-12 year old readers you really can't go past David Walliams. With Roald Dahl-like irreverence and epically fantastical storylines Walliams always entertains with humour and a tinge of darkness. Code Name Bananas is no exception. Life in 1940 is a bit bleak for Eric - he has lost both his parents in the war, he is living with his crotchety grandmother and his only source of joy is visiting his Uncle Sid who works in London Zoo. Eric's best friend in the world lives in the zoo. Her name is Gertrude and she is a Gorilla. When a bomb busts Gertrude's cage the zoo director decides she is far too dangerous to be able to run around loose and must be put down for the sake of safety. Eric and Sid plead her case but the zoo director will not be swayed. There is only one option: Eric and Sid must bust Gertrude out of the zoo before her time is up!
Together they hatch a cunning plan involving a truck and a barrage balloon (for once the blitz is coming in handy)!
While things don't quite go to plan Eric, Sid, and Gertrude happen to be in the right place at the right time to foil a dastardly German plan and save the day!
There are some great details about life in London in World War II and enough silliness that the target audience is sure to have a few giggles. The characters are of course completely over the top, the villains so horribly villainous they are comical. As an adult reader I found that this book missed the mark a bit. Walliams' earlier books had a bit more heart and genuineness to them - this one feels like he's phoning it in. There was no emotional impact at any point. I skim read the last half of the book.
Together they hatch a cunning plan involving a truck and a barrage balloon (for once the blitz is coming in handy)!
While things don't quite go to plan Eric, Sid, and Gertrude happen to be in the right place at the right time to foil a dastardly German plan and save the day!
There are some great details about life in London in World War II and enough silliness that the target audience is sure to have a few giggles. The characters are of course completely over the top, the villains so horribly villainous they are comical. As an adult reader I found that this book missed the mark a bit. Walliams' earlier books had a bit more heart and genuineness to them - this one feels like he's phoning it in. There was no emotional impact at any point. I skim read the last half of the book.
ravenn15's review against another edition
2.0
I get im not the target demographic but i feel like david walliams older books were alot better. this book was just not all that
cluelesswonder's review against another edition
Too juvenile as I am not the intended audience.