LitPick Review
What if your uncle (and guardian) started eating bugs? What if, on the day of your coming out party, two important guests - and later, your dearest friends - were kidnapped? What if your heart's true love still treated you like a little sister? And finally, what if your pesky, insane relatives got wind of this scandal and came knocking at your door? Preposterous you say! But it's exactly what happens to Petronella Arbuthnot. Now it is up to her, Uncle Augustus, the handsome Lord James Sinclair, several old biddy aunts, and some bumbling investigators from Scotland Yard to rescue the threesome, and possibly save England. Grab your intelligence, a copy of Insectile Creatures (in case Uncle Augustus gets hungary), and some relatives to boot! This quirky Victorian story is bound to tickle you pink and leave you waiting for the next preposterous adventure!
Opinion:
Complete with zaniness and historical events, The Entomological Tales of Augustus T. Percival (whoa, even the name is preposterous) was quite an entertaining book. Not to mention it was nice to read something different for a change! It wasn't an extreme page flipper, but it had just enough fun and mystery to keep you occupied. It reminded me a lot of a Charles Dickens novel, but minus the sad or dark approach because this book was always light and humorous. The language was easy to understand,despite it staying true to the 20th century grammar or the "large" words throughout the novel. "Large" words? Hey, don't be scared off that easily, it was just part of Petronella's character! I found Petronella to be a very good heroine since she stayed completely one top of the kidnapping case and wasn't afraid to "tally-ho" into danger (or rather relatives with pointy umbrellas). What of Petronella's bug-eating uncle? Now, that was the best addition to the story - never a dull moment with him on the scene! I truly think Low has a knack for the preposterous: funky wordplay and the outrageous characters. All in all, this book was fun and I would highly recommend. Mind you though, stay away from the Tou-eh-mah-mah beetles or you'll wind up like Uncle Augustus.... Recommended for ages 11 to teen (Nine yrs. seems a little too young for the semi-Victorian style language)
