The Willoughbys

The audiobook version adds an extra layer of delight to this tart tale of "old fashioned children" dealing with old fashioned problems in a Brittany and Madonna world. Arte ("Very interesting, but stupid") Johnson's performance is perfect, especially in the German accented dialogue. Some of the jokes may go over the heads of people in the recommended age range-- it helps if you are familiar with the novels being parodied and know what a Baby Ruth candy bar is. Still, there is plenty of mordant, Snicketesque humor than all can enjoy. Warning: Listening with headphones while in public will draw stares due to immoderate giggling.

I throughly enjoyed this little book. I thought it was quite charming. It kind of reminded me of the series of unfortunate events. Mainly because of the way it's written. I'm glad it ended happily and thought it was whimsical and silly. I think this would be a great story to read as a family.

I picked up the audio version of The Willoughbys for a family roadtrip with my husband and kids (we're in our early thirties, kids are 7, 4, and 2). We all thoroughly enjoyed the story and the way in which it was read--so much fun we listened to it more than twice--some parts were so good we had to re-listen. Even the younger two enjoyed listening, even if they didn't really get the story (I'll not soon forget the chants of "mo' Wiwwobees" from the backseat!)

This is Lois Lowry's Lemony-Snickett Edward-Gorey wannabe book, but not as biting as either. Lots of big but meaningful and useful words, most of which are explained in a glossary with more than a touch of wit. She must have had fun writing it, and I had fun reading it.

This book is brilliant satire. I loved it, and just returned to purchase many more copies. My eight year old son thought it was hilarious, though at the beginning, until he was certain of the tongue-in-cheek tone, I felt obliged to point out the obvious ("these are really awful parents, aren't they...etc.")

Pop culture has reduced to either "fake-reality" or sarcasm or a smarmy earnestness, which explains why this book causes cognitive dissonance in some reviewers.

Relax. Laugh. Enjoy this book!

Fans of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events are likely to be disappointed with this shorter, less descriptive book, even though it contains similarities in characters and plot. Orphans, nefarious villains, kind persons willing to provide assistance - sound familiar? The main difference between the two is that in The Willoughbys, the parents are the villains. The four (okay, that's different too) Willoughby children are berated and belitted by their seemingly beleaguered parents. A baby arrives on their doorstep (but doesn't stay long). And the plight of the children is made less unfortunate by the arrival of a warm-hearted, Nanny McPhee-like caregiver, hired by the parents. Mom and Dad take a trip that will have an unfortunate (though you won't care and neither will the children) end. The references to several good children's classics make the plot more palatable, and the version of German "spoken" by one of the characters is unique and funny. But a couple of highlights aside, the overall story does not hold a candle to Lemony Snicket's 13 book series. Entirely different but absolutely excellent: The Giver by Lois Lowery.

Read this enjoyable little book this summer and knew I had to share it with my middle school class. We have enough time to read a couple of chapters every few days during our "silent" reading time and I love Lowry's tongue-in-cheek delivery. The vocabulary is great too and I branched out to show them more of the "old fashioned" stories the Willoughby's are obsessed with. Does my heart good when I see kids pick up Heidi or Pollyanna.

this book seemed to try desperately hard to be something it isn't. granted, I find much children's literature trying. and now I'm typing like the book.

if you thing children's books, phase don't let me dissuade. I could be very wrong.

It's difficult for me to criticize LL. Anyone who can craft something as wonderful as The Giver should be getting a lifetime of 5-star reviews. Yet The Willoughbys just doesn't work as a comedy, an adventure, a farce or anything close to entertaining or enlightening. For me, the jokes weren't funny enough, the characters weren't fascinating enough and the plot didn't hold my attention. Thankfully it was short.