Welcome, Cozy Wallflowers!
I am pleased to welcome you to the August book club gathering. Might I tempt you to a cup of hot tea? In a most beautiful mug, of course. And perhaps a lemon lavender cookie...or two? Now that we've had a bit of a nibble, may we begin?...
Oh, dear reader friends, I was so disappointed in this month's book! I picked up this book expecting to be delighted and charmed and enchanted and enthralled and dazzled and captivated by a sweet, heartwarming story. All the good things, you know? And, my dear reader, I got the exact opposite. This will, sadly, be quite the quick little chat on my end because I just don't have all that much to say about this book, without only stating the numerous things I disliked and then going on in full detail about each of them, which I shall not do.
May I quickly say the one thing I did *love* about this book? And that was the writing style and storytelling aspect of this book. I dearly adored the way Kate DiCamillo wrote this story. She really invited the reader into the story. It gave it that magical aspect of let me tell you a tale feeling. However, for me, it was there that the magical, wonderful aspect of this book began and ended.
I found this book to be incredibly dark. It was full of mostly cruel treatments towards characters, tons and tons of suffering, and much abuse. I found it to be anything but charming and delightful. It was so full of darkness, the light couldn't barely shine through, and when it did, it was gone before you could blink. While I went in expecting a beautiful story, I received quite the ugly tale. So much of it was just plain sad. I sat there reading each night wondering how in the world this was a book written for children. It was not the kind of book that made you feel good when you closed the cover. I know that if I had read this as a child, it would have greatly disturbed me. It did as an adult.
My sister and I read this book together as part of a little book club we have between ourselves. After we both finished, I asked her what she thought, and she said the same things I did. We both agreed that we did not like this story...at all. And we also agreed that it is, in no way, a story for children. I also saw some reviews online and read the same things from those readers. I wanted to know that I wasn't the only one to think so horribly about this supposed "beloved, award-winning children's book". My, oh my! A book for children! Far from it.
The thing this book taught me, and a lesson which I have learned before, is that not all books are what they seem. A cute cover and much praise doesn't equal a good story. I'm so sorry for encouraging others to read this book. I can say, however, that September's book is absolutely delightful and definitely a feel-good story.
I ended up giving this book 2 out of 5 stars, and that is simply because of the writing style and storytelling aspect. I do not recommend this book at all, especially for young readers.
If you want a truly charming story that will warm your heart in all the ways, might I suggest Kate DiCamillo's Because of Winn-Dixie? That book is a true favorite of mine and one I can heartily recommend.
If you read this book, I would be curious to hear your thoughts? Chat below!
May your day be filled with gladness!