Post by B. on Oct 21, 2012 9:00:04 GMT -5
Who Could That Be at This Hour? by Lemony Snicket, details Snicket’s time as a twelve year old in Stain’d by the Sea; a town that is literally fading. In this novel Snicket plays the role of a detective- but what is he really trying to do? Who is his chaperone, S. Theodora Markson? And what does the S. stand for? These are the kinds of questions this novel lets it readers ask right from the very first chapter.
It isn’t typical of a children’s book to have the author as the main character- but then again, Who Could That Be at This Hour? isn’t your typical children’s book. What is it, is a fast paced detective story with an engaging cast of characters. None of the characters are as they seem- from Prosper Lost and his rubber smile, to Dashiell Qwerty, an unfathomable sub-librarian.
Throughout the story, Snicket goes from place to place making more promises than he can keep, and running into his fair share of trouble and although it may seem he is merely trying to solve a theft, beneath the surface he is trying to do so much more. Just who is his associate back in the city and what is she up to? We see a variety of locations, in the story- each more intriguing than the last. Add these places to the already baffling mixture of characters and events, and you have a perplexing mystery tale that lingers in the mind long after the last page.
Who Could That Be at This Hour? is packed full of literacy allusions, dry humour, word play and oh-so-many references to Snicket’s previous set of books, A Series of Unfortunate Events.
It is everything you’d expect from a Snicket novel- deliciously witty but also confusing. The ending will leave readers with far more questions than answers and we know the story isn’t finished; in fact it is only just beginning.
Accompanying the story are illustrations by the artist, Seth. They bring the story’s setting to life, not only showing the events in Stain’d, but adding to the story, seemingly holding clues. The final illustration, particularly, leaves the most questions, as does the octopi pattern and its secret, hidden at the very back of the book.
Who Could That Be at This Hour? hits stores on Tuesday. You should buy, beg, borrow or steal a copy- you will not be disappointed.
It isn’t typical of a children’s book to have the author as the main character- but then again, Who Could That Be at This Hour? isn’t your typical children’s book. What is it, is a fast paced detective story with an engaging cast of characters. None of the characters are as they seem- from Prosper Lost and his rubber smile, to Dashiell Qwerty, an unfathomable sub-librarian.
Throughout the story, Snicket goes from place to place making more promises than he can keep, and running into his fair share of trouble and although it may seem he is merely trying to solve a theft, beneath the surface he is trying to do so much more. Just who is his associate back in the city and what is she up to? We see a variety of locations, in the story- each more intriguing than the last. Add these places to the already baffling mixture of characters and events, and you have a perplexing mystery tale that lingers in the mind long after the last page.
Who Could That Be at This Hour? is packed full of literacy allusions, dry humour, word play and oh-so-many references to Snicket’s previous set of books, A Series of Unfortunate Events.
It is everything you’d expect from a Snicket novel- deliciously witty but also confusing. The ending will leave readers with far more questions than answers and we know the story isn’t finished; in fact it is only just beginning.
Accompanying the story are illustrations by the artist, Seth. They bring the story’s setting to life, not only showing the events in Stain’d, but adding to the story, seemingly holding clues. The final illustration, particularly, leaves the most questions, as does the octopi pattern and its secret, hidden at the very back of the book.
Who Could That Be at This Hour? hits stores on Tuesday. You should buy, beg, borrow or steal a copy- you will not be disappointed.