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A review by lattelibrarian
29 Myths on the Swinster Pharmacy by Lemony Snicket
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!