Formidable innocence
In a surprising (to me) turn of events, I've gone back to my young adult reading roots. So my first review of 2014 is not only a kid's book, but a fantasy to boot.
Eleanor and Eddy Hall live with their spinster aunt and brain-addled uncle in the most imposing house in all of Concord, and that's just the start of their troubles. The loneliness of being the town's outcasts gives life to their collective imagination: Eddy dreams of being an adventurer while Eleanor tries to marry a statue of Louisa May Alcott to her uncle's bust of Henry David Thoreau. But then they discover a window in the shape of a keyhole and a room that holds a great mystery. What happened to their aunt and uncle's little brother and sister? And what happened to the Indian prince who lived with them, and who their Aunt Lily seems to have loved? And why, when Eleanor and Eddy sleep in the mysterious room, do they have dreams that lead them to discover everyday objects instead of the treasure that will get the Hall family out of debt? Full of curiosity and spirit, the two siblings vow to find the answers, save their family, and have the adventure of a lifetime - no matter the cost.
I don't always use the term "old-fashioned" as a compliment, but Window has a great charm to it that evokes other mid-20th century fantasy adventures. The gloriously optimistic E. Nesbit books come to mind here; this is a book that promises smart young protagonists and a fun, not-always-straightforward magical mystery. Eddy and Eleanor's enthusiasm helps carry the reader along until the plot begins to show some density. The odd details of everyday life- Eddy's love of talking backwards, Uncle Freddy's obsession with writers Thoreau and Emerson, Eleanor's matter-of-fact self-esteem issues - tie in well with the unraveling mystery. The inclusion of those two American essayists are a bold choice that I don't think a contemporary author could get away with. But particularly evocative is a scene in where Eleanor and Eddy, trapped in a maze of mirrors on their quest to find the two lost siblings, are presented with future versions of themselves. These mini-adventures offer gentle lessons in the key of "one person's junk is another's treasure," but as they grow more serious the morals deepen in maturity. It's a typical progression, but done well and with respect towards its intended audience.
Langton's writing on a technical level is also praiseworthy. She takes the time to set up and describe the weird and trippy dreams in a myriad of ways, and she's a dab hand at verb usage. These are smaller details that help sell the fantasy and in general create an atmosphere where the reader can expect magic. A few things rubbed me the wrong way, such as Uncle Freddy's mental issues, which are used for light humor more often than not. Also I wanted to see more of Eleanor and Eddy outside of the house - their social circles, their favorite classes. Eleanor gets some development, being the awkward tween girl, and I'd like to see more of that in subsequent books.
Charming and a bit sober, The Diamond in the Window is a great read for kids and a fine afternoon diversion for adults. While I'm not entirely inspired to continue with the series, I was happily entertained for a few hours. Rating: 4 hidden jewels out of 5.
I don't always use the term "old-fashioned" as a compliment, but Window has a great charm to it that evokes other mid-20th century fantasy adventures. The gloriously optimistic E. Nesbit books come to mind here; this is a book that promises smart young protagonists and a fun, not-always-straightforward magical mystery. Eddy and Eleanor's enthusiasm helps carry the reader along until the plot begins to show some density. The odd details of everyday life- Eddy's love of talking backwards, Uncle Freddy's obsession with writers Thoreau and Emerson, Eleanor's matter-of-fact self-esteem issues - tie in well with the unraveling mystery. The inclusion of those two American essayists are a bold choice that I don't think a contemporary author could get away with. But particularly evocative is a scene in where Eleanor and Eddy, trapped in a maze of mirrors on their quest to find the two lost siblings, are presented with future versions of themselves. These mini-adventures offer gentle lessons in the key of "one person's junk is another's treasure," but as they grow more serious the morals deepen in maturity. It's a typical progression, but done well and with respect towards its intended audience.
Langton's writing on a technical level is also praiseworthy. She takes the time to set up and describe the weird and trippy dreams in a myriad of ways, and she's a dab hand at verb usage. These are smaller details that help sell the fantasy and in general create an atmosphere where the reader can expect magic. A few things rubbed me the wrong way, such as Uncle Freddy's mental issues, which are used for light humor more often than not. Also I wanted to see more of Eleanor and Eddy outside of the house - their social circles, their favorite classes. Eleanor gets some development, being the awkward tween girl, and I'd like to see more of that in subsequent books.
Charming and a bit sober, The Diamond in the Window is a great read for kids and a fine afternoon diversion for adults. While I'm not entirely inspired to continue with the series, I was happily entertained for a few hours. Rating: 4 hidden jewels out of 5.
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