Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Book Review: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, by Ransom Riggs

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children is unusually difficult to describe. It's a magical fantasy adventure, but also a story of a young boy coming to terms with the loss of his Grandfather.

I really didn't know much about Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children when I began reading, and I think I'd like to keep it that way for any of you that haven't read this. Jacob has such difficulty with his grandfather's violent death, that he is seeing a psychiatrist. His grandfather was supposedly "confused" in his old age, but Jacob is haunted by his grandfather's last words. Jacob and his father go to an island off the coast of Wales to find out as much as they can about his grandfather's life as a young boy in an orphanage on this island.

Jacob's grandfather has shown him some peculiar pictures from his childhood, and these photos are used to enhance Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. I found this unique imagery very supportive of the story.

Riggs' twists and turns were unexpected. The way Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children unfolded, mixing the unusual supernatural aspects, with the real-life island village was very creative.

I enjoyed Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children mainly for its uniqueness. I wasn't really riveted, or scared, or emotional while reading. I think it's because the supernatural elements were too "out there" for me. But I did enjoy the reading experience. I was surprised, and appreciated the creativity. I would recommend Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children to readers who like a creative, unique, supernatural story, whether adults or teens.

Published by Quirk, 2011
Copy obtained from the library
 352 pages

Rating: 3.5/5




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6 comments:

  1. I've been curious about this one. I was confused when it first came out because I thought it was horror, but then later found out that it was fantasy. This one has been extremely popular at my library so I do plan to check it out and see what the fuss is about. Just have to get my hands on a copy!

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  2. Although, I saw the cover around I really have no real idea what this one is about. Thanks for clearing this up. However, seeing your mediocre rating I might pass on this one... Although I am intrigued!hm!

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  3. I want to read this just for the uniqueness and pictures. I recently bought it, look forward to the experience.

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  4. I was a bit underwhelmed by this one too Annette. It felt as though Riggs was changing the story to fit with the pictures, rather than making the pictures fit with the story.

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  5. I liked your review a lot Annette! I don't want to say too much because in case someone reads my comment who hasn't read the book yet, but I do agree with you. The super natural parts of the story and the use of time towards the end was distracting me from the emotional parts. But there were a lot of twists and turns.

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  6. Hmmm....3.5/5. I might just let your review be enough for me. I have so many books on my TBR pile that I hate to waste time with books that aren't 4s or 5s. I'm sure you can appreciate that. Annette, a few months ago you asked me for a copy of my lesson plan on Award books that worked so well with Honors English classes. I have misplaced that e-mail and want to sent you a copy. Please shoot me an email at work and I will forward the lesson plan TOMORROW. I promise. My email at work is : abennett(AT)bethelsd(DOT)org

    Thanks for dropping by my blog and commenting on The Thirteenth Tale. I have it in my library, too and it doesn't circulate much. I am always surprised that kids generally don't want to read adult books.

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