The Sweetness at the Bottom of
the Pie by
Alan Bradley
the Pie by
Alan Bradley
Assigned
reading saves the day.
reading saves the day.
I’d
started this book once before, and I bailed on about page 2. (I do this a lot.)
started this book once before, and I bailed on about page 2. (I do this a lot.)
In
this case, it was because the main character, an 11-year-old girl, was being
held captive. And I just didn’t buy it.
this case, it was because the main character, an 11-year-old girl, was being
held captive. And I just didn’t buy it.
Of
course, when I read the book for a genre study, I discovered that her horrible
older sisters had locked her up somewhere in their big old pile of an English country
house. And that just made sense.
course, when I read the book for a genre study, I discovered that her horrible
older sisters had locked her up somewhere in their big old pile of an English country
house. And that just made sense.
But I
discovered, as I continued to read, that suspension of disbelief remained a strict
requirement for reading this book.
discovered, as I continued to read, that suspension of disbelief remained a strict
requirement for reading this book.
I
mean, seriously: How many 11-year-old genius chemists with a penchant for murder-solving
do you really know? And, as the series continues, what is the likelihood that
she’ll continue to stumble upon poisoning deaths in her little village?
mean, seriously: How many 11-year-old genius chemists with a penchant for murder-solving
do you really know? And, as the series continues, what is the likelihood that
she’ll continue to stumble upon poisoning deaths in her little village?
So you
see what I mean.
see what I mean.
However,
I just might end up reading more of this series, and here’s why:
I just might end up reading more of this series, and here’s why:
The
voice of the character is just plain delightful. Here’s a sample sentence:
voice of the character is just plain delightful. Here’s a sample sentence:
“As I
was making my way up the stairs, Dogger materialized suddenly above me on the
landing with a candleholder that might have been snapped up at an estate sale
at Manderley.” (p. 224)
was making my way up the stairs, Dogger materialized suddenly above me on the
landing with a candleholder that might have been snapped up at an estate sale
at Manderley.” (p. 224)
So
here’s my coping mechanism: I pretend Flavia is actually a genius 15-year-old.
It’s still a stretch, but it works a bit better for me.
here’s my coping mechanism: I pretend Flavia is actually a genius 15-year-old.
It’s still a stretch, but it works a bit better for me.
Bradley’s
writing style—and his creation of the very odd de Luce family—are probably
going to keep me coming back for more.
writing style—and his creation of the very odd de Luce family—are probably
going to keep me coming back for more.