World Famous Comics: The Westing Game (Puffin Modern Classics)
The Westing Game (Puffin Modern Classics)
By: Ellen Raskin Publisher: Puffin Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: Puffin Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 192 Publication Date: April 12, 2004 Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Product Description: When an eccentric millionaire dies mysteriously, sixteen very unlikely people are gathered together for the reading of the will . . . and what a will it is!
Childhood Favorite I first read this book when I was in the fifth grade and loved it. i read it too many times to count. Recently, I was pleasantly surprised to find it in the children's section of my local library. I checked it out, preparinf myself to be disappointed and find the book was not as good as I remembered. It wasn't - it was even better. I ordered a copy to stick on my shelf for my kids when they are old enough to read. I hope they will enjoy it as much as I did!
The Westing Game I don't care how old you are. The intelligence and sheer fun of this mystery is sure to delight anyone who likes to think and likes a puzzle. Beyond that, this book stays true to its characters and keeps them real, flawed, and understandable. It's clever, mysterious, and keeps you guessing and thinking.
One of my all time favorite books The Westing Game is a compelling and insignifacent treasure that anyone would be overjoyed to dig up! This book has many main characters yet maintaines the sense that you know the characters personally, and you never get confused. A suspensful and unpredictable mystery with a suprising ending and fun plot. The Westing Game is and will always be one of my all-time favorite books. Great for all ages, it pleases mystery lovers and mystery haters alike. The authors writing technique plays out nicely with the stories mood and setting. This fabulous novel includes action, drama, suspense, mystery, suprise, and over-all, entertainment. I highly doubt you can be unsatisfied after reading this book.
More Variety Than Disneyland The word variety sums up this book nicely. There are sixteen main characters, and for the most part they all come from very different backgrounds and have very different personalities. True, there isn't much room in the book for each character to be developed on more than just a few traits, like a tendency to kick people, a permanent stutter, or a habit of unwrapping candy bars, but for the design of this children's story, these limited traits are sufficent.
The author seems to get unlimited enjoyment in being some kind of practical joker. She does her best to constantly throw the reader off track using the eccentric will of the master of all practical jokers, Mr. Fourth of July himself, Samuel Westing. Raskin reminds me of Andy Kaufman in her manner, and this is a big reason I like her Newbery book. Events and statements that defy logic are everywhere, even in the first few sentences. It's all about mind games.
I only have two real complaints (well, one that's real and another that's a minor annoyance). First complaint - the whole bomber thing makes no sense whatsoever. In a universe where clever explanations heal the scars of dozens of apparent contradictions, the bomber plot line stands out as a gaping mortal wound that's never treated. WHY did the bomber set off bombs? With no legitimate explanation, a reader can only conclude that the plot line is a disappointing attempt to pad out the much more interesting and polished Westing murder story.
Second complaint (annoyance) - too many people are successful at the end of the story, and I think this goes against the laws of probability. But this is a traditional characteristic in books for children, and it's no doubt designed to encourage more than educate. Only a true stick-in-the-mud like myself will find any offense in the long term success of the likeable characters.
Although not on par with the great Sherlock Holmes, The Westing Game is still pretty impressive. Expected twists and turns in plot are well done, but I think the variety of the cast is what made the Westing Game a true stand-out work. Unlike Disneyland where you have maybe eight different smaller lands to visit, here you have sixteen.
Kids Review When I bought this book, I didn't know if I would like it. It was a great book. Just when you think you know what is going to happen in the story, the whole thing changes. It is a great mystery book and it is also a little funny. I recommend this book for kids but I think some adults would like it too.
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
