As a fan of this author’s children books, I was looking forward to his first adult book. It was a fun read, with his “Wayside School” type of humor sprinkled here and about. I didn’t love it and found it a bit of a disappointment. Perhaps it would have better marketed as YA instead of strictly adult.
I adored it. I read during a period was feeling overwhelmed by the craziness of our world and it brought calm and joy to me.
I asked for this book because I saw an interview with Louie sachar where he said that he loved “The Pricess Bride” and wanted to try his hand at something in that same vein. I love both that book and the movie, and thought this new book might be one I would enjoy too. I also read “Holes” numerous times, including to my grandchildren, and enjpyed that too. Overall, I do not think I would put this one up there on the same level as his other books, but it was different and enjoyable. I am glad to have read it and discuss it here too. I would still recommend the book to others as well.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I normally don’t gravitate to fantasy but this one was really interesting to read, maybe because it felt believable despite the magic.
Something of a funny story: I was a big fan of Sachar’s childrens books when my sons were young. When I saw he wrote an adult book (which did come out last year - it’s not new), I read it and was not impressed. So much so that when the book request came from BookBrowse, I actually FORGOT I had read it! So I re-read it when it arrived and I have to say that my opinion did not change. Definitely YA and I just didn’t like the writing or any of the characters.
Haha, way too funny, @Betsy_C! Thanks for sharing.
I liked it. The first person perspective of Anatole was quite interesting.
I had the same thought as many others – I thought this was going to be a more adult book given that it was billed as being his first novel for adults. It definitely felt more YA and the character Anatole to me felt very juvenile and naive (especially for being hundreds of years old). I was also hoping they’d bring more of a contemporary story line back since that’s how it started, but that was sort of a loose end. And the magic and princess were not very interesting/unique – there were a few funny moments but overall I was pretty disappointed.
I have the same feelings as you @Dee_Driscole. I love Holes and was excited to read his first adult novel and i was disappointed. At times I had a hard time knowing when he was in the past of or the present day and I only got some of the jokes that her threw in.
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I didn’t dislike it, but I was a little disappointed. I think my expectations were too high. I think he’s a great writer, and the cover drew me in right away. I did enjoy some of the humor, but I expected a more obvious difference from his books for young people, and I didn’t really see that here.
It was easy enough to read, but it didn’t suck me in or linger with me once I finished. I think I was underwhelmed. Depending on people’s reading tastes, I’d still recommend it to some. It’s just not one I’d likely choose to revisit. No regrets, but one and done.