consumed books one and two. on to book three!

i was lucky to get the full box set for christmas, and i’m eating them up like chocolates.

First off, I have to admit that I only read books 1-12, as I am still waiting for The End to come in at the library. (If anyone in town happens to have it and would be willing to lend it to me for a day or two… man, I want to know what happens!)

That said, this was an intriguing series of children’s books. They are clever and funny and sad and engaging. They absolutely refuse to talk down to children, and in fact, contain layer upon layer of story, and increasingly complex narrative devices. There are a wealth of literary references made throughout, some which seem pointed, and others as though the author simply decided to name characters by looking at his bookshelves (I have done this, so I can’t blame him!).

The themes and central questions addressed in the series are very… adult, and complex, and I really admire that he’s putting these questions to a young audience. There are no happy endings so far, but many good lessons to be taken. I really enjoyed the process of reading these and do actually look forward to sharing them with my own children some day.