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Dan K But re-read the book. She'southward Issac Izzard's expressionless wife, a somewhat pocket-size only pivotal role.…more Just re-read the book. She'south Issac Izzard's dead wife, a somewhat minor but pivotal function.(less)

Maria Erika TBH the start and the centre is peachy, I love the cozy but the ending for me is not that practiced, it's hanging

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TBH the commencement and the middle is groovy, I dear the cozy but the ending for me is not that adept, it's hanging

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This was such a surprisingly fun read! It's honestly one of those adventurous stories that warms your heart. It's full of magic and mystery and it'southward an all around proficient fourth dimension. I'one thousand really curious to see how this translates on the big screen. This was such a surprisingly fun read! Information technology's honestly i of those adventurous stories that warms your eye. Information technology'due south full of magic and mystery and it's an all around good fourth dimension. I'1000 really curious to see how this translates on the big screen. ...more

Dec 05, 2010 mark monday rated it really liked it

one day when i was about 8 or 9, living in some chilly state, i bundled myself up until i looked like a little gray egg, hood over caput, the hood's hirsuite fringe making my face up a cameo portrait of a round genderless blob, and proceded to expect for my ride in the lobby of my apartment edifice. a young homo came downwardly to utilise the vending machines there, looked at me, and asked conversationally, "Are you a piffling boy or a fiddling daughter?"... i died a niggling scrap, then squeaked out: "I'1000 a footling daughter".

i l

one day when i was nearly 8 or 9, living in some chilly state, i arranged myself upwardly until i looked like a trivial grey egg, hood over head, the hood's hirsuite fringe making my face a cameo portrait of a round genderless hulk, and proceded to wait for my ride in the entrance hall of my apartment edifice. a boyfriend came down to use the vending machines there, looked at me, and asked conversationally, "Are you a niggling boy or a footling girl?"... i died a piddling chip, then squeaked out: "I'm a little girl".

i laugh at the story now merely i besides tin can't help but call back the precipitous flash of humiliation, the quick decision that information technology was less embarrassing to be a girl mistaken for a male child than to admit that i could take been a boy who looked like a girl, and and so of class the ample cocky-loathing that followed. information technology is interesting to recall about the complicated emotions that my youthful cocky had to wrestle with.

i recently re-read House with a Clock in Its Walls and was taken aback by the memory of reading information technology for the kickoff fourth dimension at age 10 or so - and the retention i had had back then of my moment of mortification and sudden femininity. a retentiveness of a retentivity! i was never a bullied or angst-ridden child, so that retention pops out equally almost uniquely painful. the protagonist Lewis Barnavelt of House With a Clock was the first time i'd read nigh a hero who was unheroic, who lied to avoid embarrassment, who rather despised himself. reading about him, reading the story of a boy filled with anxiety and doubt and even self-loathing, was almost like a tonic: now hither was an author who lived in the real world! here was a protagonist who knew exactly how i felt that day. Lewis Barnevelt is akin to Narnia'south Edmund or Eustace - except Aslan does not step in to help him slough off his self-hating nature. he has to do it on his own. he does non proceed a quest and he does non save the day; instead he grows by $.25 and starts, the shedding of each of his dark layers a small triumph - quickly forgotten by Lewis, almost unbearably affecting to me.

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Nov 11, 2017 Robin Hobb rated it really liked it

It has become harder and harder, I remember, to find books for kids that are appropriately spooky without beingness gross out encarmine or merely horribly dark.

John Bellairs walks that difficult line. The adventure is scary, and the danger is real, equally is the magic. A huge plus is the male child's human relationship with Uncle Jonathan who takes him in, and his uncle's friendship with Mrs. Zimmermann. Long before nosotros were touting 'strong female characters with agency,' Mrs. Zimmermann existed! It's a pleasure to encounter adu

It has become harder and harder, I think, to observe books for kids that are appropriately spooky without existence gross out bloody or only horribly dark.

John Bellairs walks that difficult line. The take chances is scary, and the danger is existent, as is the magic. A huge plus is the boy's human relationship with Uncle Jonathan who takes him in, and his uncle's friendship with Mrs. Zimmermann. Long before we were touting 'stiff female characters with agency,' Mrs. Zimmermann existed! It's a pleasure to come across adults portrayed as adults with lives of their own in a children'southward book. And Lewis is a refreshingly existent protagonist as he discovers his delight in his unusual new home, and copes with the difficulties any kid finds in being dissimilar and the 'new kid' at school.

A corking Halloween tale, simply expert whatsoever fourth dimension.

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"You can't fix for all the disasters that might occur in this frightening globe of ours. If the devil appears or if nosotros notice that the Terminate of the World is at hand, we'll practice something."

John Bellairs' The Firm with a Clock in Its Walls is another boy saves the globe from devastation adventure that I enjoyed. Should exist a fun read for all ages; it has enough creepiness and danger to keep the tension upwards to its conclusion. three.5 stars.

"You tin can't ready for all the disasters that might occur in this frightening world of ours. If the devil appears or if we detect that the End of the World is at manus, we'll do something."

John Bellairs' The House with a Clock in Its Walls is another boy saves the world from destruction chance that I enjoyed. Should exist a fun read for all ages; it has enough creepiness and danger to proceed the tension up to its conclusion. iii.five stars.

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Nov 17, 2015 Calista rated it really liked it

I read this volume equally a child. I wanted to read it again earlier the movie came out this month. I accept to admit that most of the volume faded from my memory till not much was left. It was interesting, as I read this it was similar little puffs of smoke which were memories went off in my head and I would think, 'oh yeah', I remember that at present. It was virtually like reading this for the starting time time with some deja vu thrown in.

Lewis Barnavelt is an orphan and he goes to live with his uncle in Michigan. I know M

I read this volume equally a child. I wanted to read it once more before the motion picture came out this month. I take to admit that most of the book faded from my retentiveness till not much was left. Information technology was interesting, as I read this it was similar piddling puffs of smoke which were memories went off in my caput and I would recall, 'oh yep', I call up that now. It was almost similar reading this for the starting time fourth dimension with some deja vu thrown in.

Lewis Barnavelt is an orphan and he goes to alive with his uncle in Michigan. I know Michigan is a big state with lots of different settings in it, but the setting felt more like New England to me than Michigan. I dearest the moving picture of the house they alive in. It is this awesome Adams family or Munsters type business firm. I dream of a business firm like that some day.

Lewis finds out his relatives is a witch and he has some magic interest in himself. If you mind to the walls in that location is a loud ticking you can hear in whatever room in the house behind the wall. Lewis ends up raising the dead and it sets off a concatenation of events that atomic number 82 to the conclusion of the book. There were chills, there were creeps, at that place were monsters in this astonishing outset for John Bellairs. I remember John is super talented and I dearest his writing. Information technology is straight forrard with such a clear vox. I also enjoy the graphic symbol of Lewis. He is like Johnny Dixon in that he is not popular and he is not normal or into normal things. Lewis is overweight and can't play sports. He is scared of nigh things accept when it counts and his courage shines through. I can only call up that John Bellairs was much the aforementioned way every bit a child. Smart and not as skilled fitting in. It is wonderful to have a unlike blazon of hero.

I am excited to encounter this motion picture and I hope they do a skilful job with the motion picture. I am thinking I might demand to go back and read many of my books from childhood as I have forgotten them so completely. It was the same thing with the Egypt game. Stories fade from my mind over time and information technology's near like reading information technology for the first time. Interesting.

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An outrageous fact: the more magical and creative a book, the more authors gear it to children. If in doubt that at that place is a grown-up market, let me ready information technology straight! John Bellairs wrote "The House With A Clock In Its Walls" in 1973. I wish I had known of it after I was a child! I would have been fifty-fifty more than delighted with every nuance of mystery, suspense, and sense of humor when its protagonist Lewis Barnavelt, matched my age. This book dwells on no sadness but our introduction to Lewis is poignant: he is An outrageous fact: the more magical and creative a book, the more authors gear information technology to children. If in uncertainty that there is a grown-up market, let me set it directly! John Bellairs wrote "The Firm With A Clock In Its Walls" in 1973. I wish I had known of information technology after I was a child! I would have been even more delighted with every nuance of mystery, suspense, and sense of humor when its protagonist Lewis Barnavelt, matched my age. This book dwells on no sadness but our introduction to Lewis is poignant: he is orphaned and headed to live with his Uncle Jonathan in some other town. I tin't contemplate how difficult it would exist to go out a home of memories when I needed to wrap them around me.

Fortunately his new home is welcoming and too intriguing to bar enthusiasm. From the get-get this book stands apart because Uncle Jonathan and next door neighbour Florence Zimmermann are best friends; adults with a kid's abandon, who are fun. They might be a comfortable married couple if they didn't have their ain dwellings. The banter betwixt them was unheard of in the 1970s, along with contrary-sexual activity developed pals; immediately emanating whimsy and titillation I would accept relished as much equally Lewis. I laughed at the fashion Florence alleged: "I go a funny hum that goes dooooo for a while"!

Jonathan's dense house is peculiar. We wonder what he and Florence worry virtually within it, strange behaviour delights u.s., and evidence of magic! My favourite moment is a spell concocted in the backyard. Everyone hears insects hugger-mugger and disused tunnels or streams. Temporarily, we perceive a host of natural workings and knowledge correct where we stand up. What a surreal moment! I loved it! Everything but Lewis'due south age, makes this the book for me.

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Jul 12, 2007 Brian rated information technology really liked it

This book scared the tar out of me when I was 10. I could barely fall comatose at dark but I loved it. I used it equally a read aloud to my fourth graders and they would BEG each day to hear more. Occasionally I would wait up from my reading to see 20 horrified faces with their optics wide open in apprehension of what would come next. Plus cool drawings by Edward Gorey.

Apr xx, 2007 Janine rated it actually liked information technology

Recommends information technology for: folks who like it when their skin crwls and the hairs on the back of their neck stand upward.

I actually had a woman come into the bookstore I worked at demanding a refund for this volume. She had bought all of them for her nephew and it scared the bejesus out of him. She read one herself and was "shocked that anyone would let a child read such a matter." She said that i of our employees recommended information technology to her (Don, who is the simply source I trust for children's lit. He is a God when it comes to kids books.) only she hadn't really READ it earlier giving it to her nephew. Congratulations lad I actually had a woman come up into the bookstore I worked at demanding a refund for this book. She had bought all of them for her nephew and it scared the bejesus out of him. She read i herself and was "shocked that anyone would let a child read such a affair." She said that one of our employees recommended information technology to her (Don, who is the only source I trust for children's lit. He is a God when it comes to kids books.) but she hadn't actually READ information technology before giving it to her nephew. Congratulations lady, you made your nephew cry and blamed it on someone who had better gustatory modality and better sense than you.

anyway, it's a creepy little archetype and I wish I could find an original 86 edition in the library binding. The illustrations were crawly.

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Jul 12, 2018 Steven rated it liked it

This was okay. I read it since the picture show is coming out shortly, but I should take saved the story for the movie, which I'1000 hoping has a tighter plot and that the clock plays more of a role than a side tale for 95% then a last minute "large bargain" in the last v%. This was okay. I read it since the movie is coming out before long, but I should have saved the story for the movie, which I'm hoping has a tighter plot and that the clock plays more of a role than a side tale for 95% and so a last minute "large deal" in the concluding 5%. ...more than

October 21, 2014 Scott Rhee rated information technology it was amazing

John Bellairs published "The House With a Clock in Its Walls" in 1973. I was one year former at the fourth dimension. I had somehow managed to skip over this one when I was a young reader, or, if I had read information technology, I don't recall doing so. I found a dog-eared, faded Dell Yearling edition at my local library's used book auction recently. I wish I could say that it beckoned me, but, alas, it was merely one in a pile of books that I bought that mean solar day. It has, until a few short days agone, rested comfortably, anonymously, on John Bellairs published "The House With a Clock in Its Walls" in 1973. I was i year former at the time. I had somehow managed to skip over this one when I was a young reader, or, if I had read information technology, I don't recall doing so. I establish a canis familiaris-eared, faded Dell Yearling edition at my local library'southward used volume auction recently. I wish I could say that it beckoned me, merely, alas, information technology was merely one in a pile of books that I bought that day. It has, until a few short days ago, rested comfortably, anonymously, on a shelf in my bedroom. I picked it up arbitrarily, as I tend to do with books, and I began to read.

The joy of reading is i that I developed early, thanks in large part to my parents and grandparents, likewise as my many elementary school teachers. I was fortunate to have liberal parents who did not discourage me from reading certain types of books. They did not steer me away from the books I tended to like---books with spaceships, green scaly astronauts, haunted houses, werewolves, and unicorns on the comprehend. They did not tell me my reading choices were "silly" or "immature". They encouraged me to read anything and everything, which I did. I still do.

The reason for stating this is because I had friends who had parents and teachers that, unfortunately, taught them that there are "silly" books not worth reading, as opposed to "serious" literature, the kind that has stood the exam of fourth dimension and taken on the label of "classic". Literary snobs would telephone call these types of books "canonical". Everything else, co-ordinate to these people, is fluff. "Popular" literature is beneath them. Information technology'due south sad to say, simply many of those friends of mine have children who are probably banned from reading the likes of J.K. Rowling, R.L. Stine, Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlein, Stephen King, Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary, and Walter Dean Myers. Oh, what they are missing…

Reading Bellairs's wonderful novel reminded me of my days in school, when going to the library was improve than an evening at the movies or spending time at an amusement park. It triggered that excitement that I had, looking at the vast shelves upon shelves of ancient wisdom bound within the pages of those glorious tomes, knowing that I had access to all of it. To think that some people purposely deny themselves the luxury and excitement of reading is a depressing thought, and to deny one'due south children such a pleasance is unacceptable. Merely I digress...

Bellairs was the precursor for nighttime fantasy authors like Rowling, Neil Gaiman, and John Connolly, and his stories were a perfect blend of supernatural creepiness and tween malaise black humor.

"THWACIIW" introduces readers to Lewis Barnavelt, a ten-year-sometime who, at the beginning of the story, has lost his parents in a car accident and is forced to alive with his Uncle Jonathon in New Zebedee, Michigan.

Uncle Jonathon is a bit eccentric, to say the least, but he is friendly and is excited to have Lewis stay with him. He has a thing with clocks---the house is full of them, tick-rocking abroad---and a weirdly flirtatious relationship with the widow next door, Mrs. Zimmerman, with whom Lewis is immediately enamored due to the fact that she is constantly bringing him fresh-baked cookies.

Nights are odd in the large, beautiful, but somewhat eerie house. Before bed, Uncle Jonathon walks through every room of the firm, turning off all the clocks. Late at dark, in bed, Lewis tin inexplicably hear the rhythmic ticking of a distant clock, seemingly within the walls.

After some initial investigating, Lewis discovers some very frightening things. Some of them plow out to be not-so-frightening: Uncle Jonathon, it turns out, is an amateur magician, and Mrs. Zimmerman is a witch. They aren't bad witches, though. The frightening thing he learns is that the original possessor of the firm, a man named Izard and his wife, were besides practitioners of witchcraft. The bad kind: black magic. They despised anybody in the unabridged world and hoped to destroy it, just their deaths prevented them from getting around to information technology. Unfortunately, Lewis accidentally releases the ghost of the late Mrs. Izard, who is searching for her tardily husband's clock in the walls, which has the power to end the earth. On top of that, Lewis is dealing with bullies at schoolhouse, and he isn't doing well in math class.

To say that I loved this volume is an understatement. Information technology is a truly fun, creepy piddling Gothic horror story with just the right amount of sense of humour to make it palatable for virtually children and have the edge off the truly scary bits. It is, also, apparently the first in a series featuring young Lewis Barnavelt. I'm not sure how many books in the serial Bellairs wrote, merely I am sure that they are all wonderful.

If you don't mind reading something "dizzy", and if y'all especially don't mind letting your children read such silly fluff, yous could certainly do worse than finding a copy of this wonderful book.

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"You lot may be wondering why I don't just tear down the wall and rip out the clock. Well, it wouldn't do any good. It sounds similar it's backside every wall: up in the attic, down in the cellar, in the closets and storerooms and parlors. And sometimes it seems to exist slowing down. I keep hoping it volition stop. But and then information technology picks up and keeps going. I don't know what to do."

Orphaned Lewis Barnavelt always felt there'southward an unusual phenomenon going on in his Uncle Jonathan's Victorian-inspired mansion in New Z

"Yous may exist wondering why I don't just tear downward the wall and rip out the clock. Well, it wouldn't do any good. It sounds like it's behind every wall: upward in the cranium, down in the cellar, in the closets and storerooms and parlors. And sometimes it seems to be slowing down. I go along hoping it will cease. Just then it picks up and keeps going. I don't know what to do."

Orphaned Lewis Barnavelt always felt at that place's an unusual phenomenon going on in his Uncle Jonathan'south Victorian-inspired mansion in New Zebedee, Michigan — the window pane coming alive, the inscribed "I.I." signature in almost all of the furniture, the deafening ticks of the assorted clocks, and the mysterious, eponymous clock in the mansion's walls. Lewis soon realizes that his uncle is a warlock, and his uncle's next-door neighbour and friend, Mrs. Zimmermann, is a witch — in a good sense. What bewilders the three of them is that darn disturbing clock that seems to echo all throughout the house with a menacing purpose — a device to redeem time.

The Business firm with a Clock in Its Walls is an eerie children's book filled with magical and haunting moments. It's adept plenty for a Halloween read. Considering that this book is meant for minor kiddos, it'south an acceptable read for me, nothing game-changing though.

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I saw this book around final Halloween and decided to read it this yr. Then I found out they were making a motion-picture show, likewise. No thought how the moving-picture show is, I have yet to encounter it, just the book was pretty darn great.

It's a children's book simply like a famous German language entertainer always said: what's skillful for children can't exist bad for adults. ;)

Lewis lost his parents so comes to live with his uncle Jonathan. Uncle Jonathan is ... eccentric, shall we say. And so is his all-time friend, Mrs. Zimmermann. And they have ev

I saw this volume effectually last Halloween and decided to read it this year. Then I constitute out they were making a movie, as well. No idea how the picture is, I accept yet to see it, but the volume was pretty darn great.

It's a children's book but like a famous German entertainer always said: what'south good for children can't be bad for adults. ;)

Lewis lost his parents and so comes to alive with his uncle Jonathan. Uncle Jonathan is ... eccentric, shall we say. And then is his best friend, Mrs. Zimmermann. And they have every reason to be since they are a warlock and a witch!
Lewis feels right at dwelling house since both are very loving people but when he tries to make a friend, he dabbles in magic himself with unsafe consequences so he and his new family unit take to race confronting the clock (see what I did there? ;P) to save humankind.

The bandage chosen for the movie might not really fit with the descriptions in the book but I understand why they were chosen. The barrack between uncle Jonathan and Mrs. Zimmermann is not only hilarious but I tin can actually picture Cate Blanchett and Jack Black in exactly those moments. :D It's all most how stories make you lot experience after all (both in book and movie format).

Apparently this is one of those books that many people know (a serial in fact). I had never heard of it or its writer just am tempted to read on because I like the theme of magic and it was very well done here, plus the characters are quirky and endearing, the plot fast-paced and I mused along with the characters about what would happen how and because of whom.

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A bully creepy story with plenty of magic and mystery that will appeal to people of all ages.
The idea of a mysterious ticking noice from a hidden clock is such a fascinating concept!

This children's favourite first came to my attention due to the forthcoming motion picture adaptation, theres then many peachy elements to this book that judging by the tailer will introduce this corking story to a wider audience.
I'g looking forrard to seeing it!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 / v

Plain I am really loving the spooky Juvenile fiction lately. The House with a Clock in Its Walls past John Bellairs wasn't overly spooky, but there was definitely a scene or ii that got a little intense. How did I non know these existed?!

What information technology'south virtually: Lewis Barnavelt is suddenly orphaned later his parents die in a car accident, and he goes to alive with his uncle Jonathan. Lewis quickly finds out that both his uncle and his uncle'south next door neighbour Mrs. Zimmermann are witches,

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 / 5

Plain I am really loving the spooky Juvenile fiction lately. The House with a Clock in Its Walls by John Bellairs wasn't overly spooky, but there was definitely a scene or ii that got a little intense. How did I not know these existed?!

What it'southward most: Lewis Barnavelt is suddenly orphaned after his parents die in a machine accident, and he goes to live with his uncle Jonathan. Lewis quickly finds out that both his uncle and his uncle'south next door neighbor Mrs. Zimmermann are witches, and Jonathan's house is plagued by a clock ticking in the walls. They try to uncover the source, and along the way Lewis causes a little problem.

This was such a fun volume, and definitely a classic. I'chiliad kind of sad that I didn't realize this was fifty-fifty a book until I heard almost the picture show coming out. I'm going to be interested to run into how the book translates into a film since from what I've seen from the trailer, they seem pretty unlike (and the book actually isn't all that scary). A lot of what happens in the volume focuses on Lewis, and not so much on the house itself. I guess we shall see.

At that place was one scene that confused me a piffling bit and I couldn't actually moving-picture show what I was supposed to be seeing, but besides that I honey how Bellairs made The House with a Clock in Its Walls very atmospheric and fun even though it's geared towards a younger audience. I already put the 2nd volume on hold so I can read it.

Concluding Thought: If you lot are going to be seeing the movie, or even if you aren't, I totally recommend reading this book. It's short and a really quick read, and it was really fun to read too. I loved Uncle Jonathan and Mrs. Zimmermann, and the spooky parts of the book are perfect for Halloween. Witches and Wizards, oh my!

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Well I read this one and only realized now that it counts towards The Dead Writers Gild October 2016 Genre challenge. So that'due south one less thing to worry well-nigh earlier the end of the month. I am also going to exist reading this for the Horror Aficionados Fall Fear Challenge.

I read this as a kid and retrieve being haunted for a couple of days later finishing. The imagery, the illustrations, everything about the book scared me to (almost) death. I lived at the time in an old steel manufactory town and all

Well I read this ane and only realized now that it counts towards The Dead Writers Club October 2016 Genre claiming. So that'due south 1 less matter to worry about before the end of the month. I am also going to exist reading this for the Horror Aficionados Fall Fear Challenge.

I read this as a kid and retrieve being haunted for a couple of days after finishing. The imagery, the illustrations, everything about the book scared me to (virtually) death. I lived at the time in an former steel factory town and all of the homes had some quirky aspects to them. Nosotros had Victorian style homes besides every bit hundred year one-time houses with random towers and odd shaped roofs. So for me, I was able to picture the town of New Zebedee, Michigan because it felt very similar to my ain.

Now as an adult I was hoping to experience those aforementioned thrills and chills. Instead I felt by and large annoyance for Lewis who kept doing things in order to keep a friend and who seemed to be almost always crying. His personality does a miraculous change in the end, and we accept a random new character introduced who we had heard nothing about before. I know that there are a agglomeration more books in this series. According to Goodreads in that location are 12 books. However, I don't know if I would want to keep on since the rest of the books may taint my memory further of this book.

"The House With the Clock in Its Walls" has the main character moving to Zebedee to live with his Uncle Johnathon after his parents died in a car accident. Being met by a giant of a man with ruby hair all over, Lewis is initially agape, but is soon enchanted with the habitation that his uncle lives in. His uncle's best friend and general hurting in the butt friend Mrs. Zimmerman lives next door and has the run of the dwelling house.

Though Lewis is fascinated by the dwelling house, he realizes early on on that something weird is going on with his uncle getting up in the middle of the dark and looking for something. And pretty soon Lewis due to him trying to impress his friend Tarby puts everyone in danger when he plays with something he does not have any existent noesis of at all.

Lewis is described as overweight and loves to read. Y'all get to see illustrations of him in the volume and he is depicted as roundish with his caput always pointing to the basis it seemed to me. Lewis doesn't have a lot of cocky conviction and it seems that when things don't become his way (which is often) he runs away in tears. Things seem to be amend when he meets a male child named Tarby who is the most popular male child at his schoolhouse, who teaches Lewis how to play baseball. However, when Lewis feels Tarby pulling away he does what he tin to get him to still be his friend.

Uncle Jonathon seemed clueless well-nigh things that Lewis was doing and how he was doing at school. I wanted more interaction with him and Lewis. Heck Mrs. Zimmerman had more than sense most what was going on and I wish she had a conversation with Lewis. It would accept been great if Lewis had learned before on that you can't keep someone in a friendship they are not feeling.

The writing was practiced, though I can see as a kid why the volume scared the crap out of me. Bellairs is quite good at making you lot feel jumpy while you are reading. There are several points in the book yous will concur your jiff and be scared to death. The illustrations assist with that too.

I call up the period wasn't very good though. It seemed like the book went almost through an entire year. And we really merely focused on the summertime months and then October and November. There is a significant consequence that takes place right on Halloween, then those who need to read this book for some bingo squares, it fills quite a few.

The catastrophe was a scrap of a letdown. I wanted more an epic battle I guess. Then to have the volume kind of just become to Lewis being fine near things because hey he met another friend was a scrap funny to me.

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This book was odd. Recommended to me by a friend, I had high expectations that simply weren't met. It starts out with ten-yr-old Lewis Barnavelt on his way to his uncle's firm after his parents' deaths. Uncle Jonathan is a pocket-size magician, and he lives in an quondam mansion formerly inhabited by an evil wizard. Strangely, the walls in the house tick. Jonathan'south neighbour, a peculiar old woman named Mrs. Zimmerman, also dabbles in magic. Together they try to learn the old house's secrets. At one poi This book was odd. Recommended to me past a friend, I had high expectations that simply weren't met. It starts out with ten-yr-former Lewis Barnavelt on his mode to his uncle'southward house after his parents' deaths. Uncle Jonathan is a minor magician, and he lives in an old mansion formerly inhabited past an evil wizard. Strangely, the walls in the house tick. Jonathan'southward neighbor, a peculiar onetime woman named Mrs. Zimmerman, besides dabbles in magic. Together they try to larn the quondam house's secrets. At ane betoken, Lewis dips into one of his uncle's forbidden magic books, then he and his friend sneak into the graveyard to try a spell to raise the dead. Their success most leads to the end of the world.

The whole setup has a baroque, creepy feel. Yes, Uncle Jonathan and Mrs. Zimmerman are skillful wizards, but they are so odd. I never warmed to them (or any other grapheme). They have strange personalities and exercise odd, random things. I never felt I had a handle on who they are or why they did what they did. They didn't brand sense. And some plot events, like the fourth dimension the three are chased in their car in the middle of the nighttime, are never explained. What was that all about, anyhow? It just builds on a series of weird events that don't really make a solid picture at the finish. Information technology feels disjointed.

It was fairly predictable. I didn't like the characters. The pictures were even stylized in a way that didn't entreatment to me. Twice it put me to sleep. I most didn't finish. I don't usually charge per unit books on my blog, but this 1 gets a 2. That'due south mostly because the suspense was okay and the old mansion was actually cool. And then why did I bother reviewing it? Considering I know this book has been highly acclaimed and the serial has sold well (mayhap afterwards books explicate some things?). Just I just didn't become it.

How's the content? Wikipedia calls it "children's gothic horror," though it isn't terrible. A dead person comes to life via a spell, but most magic is innocent. Scenes from Harry Potter are far worse. Lewis' hand is once guided by an unseen force. A Ouija board is mentioned only not used. It'south more often than not creepy hype. I call back there may have been one mild profanity, simply I'm not sure. Like I said, I fell comatose twice and had to reread portions.

Can you tell I was disappointed? But obviously a lot of people like it.

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Jul xxx, 2008 Leah Adams rated it information technology was amazing

Recommends it for: Anyone

Recommended to Leah by: Self

This is a book that I accept read since I was 11 years one-time. I honey it so much, and it has been so influential in my life, that I even take a tattoo of the Ace of Nitwits.

It is the story of xi twelvemonth old Lewis Barnavelt and is set in the fictional boondocks of Marshall, Michigan in the 1950's. He is a young male child whose parents have merely died. He is overweight and mostly an outcast from his schoolmates. He has been sent to live with his Uncle Jonathon, who lives in an old ramshackle mansion next door to h

This is a book that I have read since I was 11 years old. I love information technology so much, and it has been so influential in my life, that I fifty-fifty have a tattoo of the Ace of Nitwits.

It is the story of eleven year quondam Lewis Barnavelt and is set in the fictional boondocks of Marshall, Michigan in the 1950's. He is a young boy whose parents take just died. He is overweight and generally an outcast from his schoolmates. He has been sent to live with his Uncle Jonathon, who lives in an quondam ramshackle mansion adjacent door to his best friend Mrs. Zimmerman, who has an obsession with the color purple and anything with "Z" on it. Both Uncle Jonathon and Mrs. Zimmerman are witches. The business firm has a doomsday clock somewhere in it's walls, left there by it'south quondam residents, the Izzard's, who were evil warlocks. It is up to Lewis, Uncle Jonathon and Mrs. Zimmerman to notice it before it winds downwards and rings in the stop of the earth.

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Apr 09, 2020 Ashley Daviau rated information technology really liked it

This was such a fun read! I really wish I had read it every bit a child/young teen because I would have fallen head over heels for it back then, I know that without a doubt. Now don't get me wrong, I did still thoroughly relish it and I thought it was a bang-up magical read! Merely I did myself thinking more than once that I felt old reading this considering the main character was so immature. It does still remain a fabulous, spooky little read simply I accept to deduct a star because I had trouble relating to the primary ch This was such a fun read! I really wish I had read it as a kid/young teen because I would accept fallen head over heels for it back and then, I know that without a doubt. At present don't go me wrong, I did yet thoroughly bask it and I idea it was a nifty magical read! Only I did myself thinking more than once that I felt former reading this because the master character was so young. It does still remain a fabulous, chilling little read but I have to deduct a star because I had problem relating to the main character. ...more

Where is that ticking coming from?!

I read this with some friends and glad I did. I wish this series had been office of my childhood. The story was fun & imaginative and only enough scary for youngsters.

Just every bit fun, creepy, and magical re-reading it for the third time!! Now off to re-sentinel the moving-picture show :D

This isn't my favorite of John Bellairs books, but it is definitely charming and spooky. A must if you savour children'southward horror! I'thousand looking forward to the movie coming later this October. This isn't my favorite of John Bellairs books, only it is definitely charming and spooky. A must if you lot enjoy children's horror! I'm looking forward to the movie coming later this October. ...more than

Mar 06, 2020 Selene rated information technology really liked it

Book #v for Middle Grade March

Challenge #iii - A book with a mystery
Challenge #five - A volume to screen adaption

This was just ok for me. I read it with my son before the movie came out because we were planning on going to run across the movie. After reading information technology and having seen trailers for the flick, I was guessing that the movie was going to be very unlike from the volume and better than it likewise. Later on watching the movie, my assumptions were right. The movie was actually good, though they inverse and added and so much more than, but in this example, I prefer this moving-picture show over the volume. The story is most a boy named Lewis This was just ok for me. I read it with my son earlier the flick came out because we were planning on going to see the movie. Afterwards reading information technology and having seen trailers for the moving picture, I was guessing that the movie was going to be very unlike from the book and improve than it besides. Afterwards watching the moving-picture show, my assumptions were right. The picture was really good, though they changed and added then much more, simply in this case, I prefer this flick over the volume. The story is about a male child named Lewis who's parent's have died and he now has to go and live with his Uncle Jonathan. Jonathon and his best friend/neighbour are both wizards and he lives in a business firm that was previously owned by another evil wizard that left this doomsday clock hidden in the firm. You can hear the ticking of this clock in every wall of the house. Lewis experiments with some magic and resurrects the previous owner who is set on finishing off the world. ...more

What a magical story! I loved this book!

Lewis Barnavelt lost his parents and he is scared near coming to alive with his Uncle Jonathan. He'due south heard rumors that his uncle is a scrap weird....and it'south just distressing to a child to be thrust into the unknown. But soon he learns to beloved his Uncle Jonathan and his eccentric neighbour Mrs. Zimmerman. They love and accept Lewis. Plus, both Jonathan and Mrs. Zimmerman are witches! The old house abounds with magic and all sorts of exciting things! But.....

What a magical story! I loved this book!

Lewis Barnavelt lost his parents and he is scared virtually coming to live with his Uncle Jonathan. He'due south heard rumors that his uncle is a bit weird....and it's just distressing to a child to exist thrust into the unknown. But soon he learns to love his Uncle Jonathan and his eccentric neighbor Mrs. Zimmerman. They dear and have Lewis. Plus, both Jonathan and Mrs. Zimmerman are witches! The erstwhile house abounds with magic and all sorts of exciting things! But.....information technology likewise abounds with something darker....afterward Lewis mistakenly raises the dead, trying to impress a school friend. Bringing back an evil dead person is actually not a proficient style to win friends and influence people.....peculiarly when the evil person has hidden a clock in the walls of the house that could end humanity.

Wonderful story! Wonderful characters! :)

I listened to the audio book version (Recorded Books) of this story. Narrated by George Guidall, the sound is just over 4.v hours long. Piece of cake listening length! The audio quality of the recording was non very expert. It had an audible hiss in the background...like the recording had been copied from an sometime cassette tape. But, even with the hiss, George Guidall is a superb narrator! I have listened to his recordings of the Longmire serial and recognized his vocalism immediately! He gave a groovy performance! Excellent voice histrion!

I was surprised to learn that this volume is just the first in a 12 book series! I'm definitely reading the residuum of the books! I already have the second audio book checked out from the library. I similar Lewis, Jonathan and Mrs. Zimmerman as main charaters -- quirky, magical, eccentric....a perfect family!

I have non seen the movie version starring Jack Black (2018). I'm a bit agape it won't take the magic of the volume...but I'm willing to requite it a run a risk. Disc on the way from Netflix.

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Oct 16, 2021 Rachelle rated it really liked it

"The trumpet shall sound and the expressionless shall be raised.."

Such a sweet piddling spooky read! This ane is a classic in my dwelling and it's still fun and enjoyable to get lost for a fleck in the magical world Bellairs' created!

"The trumpet shall audio and the dead shall be raised.."

Such a sweet little spooky read! This one is a classic in my domicile and it'southward nevertheless fun and enjoyable to get lost for a chip in the magical world Bellairs' created!

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dearest John Bellairs. creepy, fun, kind of sweet in spots. great read.

Jan 16, 2018 Tyler J Greyness rated information technology really liked it

4.25

I really enjoyed my first John Bellairs book!

I actually enjoyed the graphic symbol of Lewis. Well I enjoyed his uncle Johnathan and his next-door neighbor Mrs. Zimmerman too. Lewis felt similar a real 10 year old to me. He wants to have a friend, he gets teased for existence fat, he cries and it'southward ok. Uncle Johnathan is a skilful uncle too and I enjoyed seeing their friendship betwixt him and Mrs. Zimmerman.

I also actually liked how, yes at that place is evil people using magic but Johnathan and Mrs. Zimmerman use mag

four.25

I really enjoyed my outset John Bellairs book!

I really enjoyed the character of Lewis. Well I enjoyed his uncle Johnathan and his adjacent-door neighbor Mrs. Zimmerman besides. Lewis felt like a real ten year erstwhile to me. He wants to accept a friend, he gets teased for being fat, he cries and it'southward ok. Uncle Johnathan is a good uncle also and I enjoyed seeing their friendship between him and Mrs. Zimmerman.

I also actually liked how, yes there is evil people using magic only Johnathan and Mrs. Zimmerman use magic also and are good. I've seen a lot of "all magic is evil" stuff and it gets on my nerves, so I like seeing how it can be used for proficient or bad.

It was a overnice like shooting fish in a barrel read that flowed pretty well. I know it would have scared me had I been a kid, and I would've loved information technology, and I nevertheless very much enjoyed it. It fabricated me smile, laugh, and fifty-fifty surprised me at times. I likewise actually liked the illustrations equally they really fit the story.

If you lot are looking for a quick middle grade mystery/horror novel i'd definitely recommend this, and I look forrard to reading more John Bellairs books!

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I saw the trailer for the upcoming movie accommodation and thought information technology looked similar a lot of fun, so naturally I wanted to attempt the volume earlier I saw it. Unfortunately I wasn't equally big of a fan as I thought I would be, but either fashion I'k notwithstanding actually excited for the flick. I saw the trailer for the upcoming motion picture accommodation and thought it looked like a lot of fun, so naturally I wanted to try the book before I saw it. Unfortunately I wasn't every bit big of a fan every bit I idea I would be, but either way I'grand still really excited for the movie. ...more

Here's some other book where I bounced back and along between 3 and four stars. There are a few flaws but on the whole an enjoyable piddling book (I had one caveat, merely I'll mention it later on later on a "Spoiler" warning).

I sort "rediscovered" YA and juvenile books "again" a while back. I ordinarily find myself (when I read one) wondering if I'd have reacted whatever differently if I withal had small kids at home or if I were nevertheless sharing them with my own kids. This one was as I said before overall a good book and

Hither's another book where I bounced back and forth between iii and 4 stars. There are a few flaws simply on the whole an enjoyable trivial book (I had one caveat, just I'll mention it later after a "Spoiler" warning).

I sort "rediscovered" YA and juvenile books "again" a while dorsum. I normally detect myself (when I read ane) wondering if I'd have reacted any differently if I still had small kids at home or if I were still sharing them with my ain kids. This 1 was as I said before overall a practiced book and I remember I'd have enjoyed it reading it with...or reading it to, someone. Information technology's a semi-haunted house story/magic story/adventure and I recall most will enjoy it. Over again be sure that your child is ready for it, just it doesn't seem to me to exist that frightening.

(view spoiler)[In that location was ane thing that continued to issues me about the character in this book. He needed counseling. I wanted to be sympathetic to the boy...I even tried to be. Merely I got very tired of the boy "crying", or "getting gear up to weep", or "feeling like he was going to cry"...or whatever. Happily, there came a point about the end of the book where the boy himself realized that "he'd been crying an awful lot lately". So in a way this is shut to the infamous, "coming of age tale" which I generally don't care for. However back to my original conclusion... information technology's a pretty good and an enjoyable volume. (hide spoiler)]

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May fourteen, 2021 Audrey rated it actually liked it

This was fun. It's super fast (for an adult). I wish I had constitute these books when I was a kid. Be aware that the blurb gives abroad nearly the entire plot. Information technology's more mysterious if you avert it.

We take a newly orphaned kid going to alive with his uncle in 1948 Minnesota. In that location's magic and a maddening ticking inside the house, audible from every bespeak. The child picks up a book called Necromany, which of class never ends well, and the undead get involved.

The description makes information technology sound super scary, just

This was fun. Information technology'due south super fast (for an developed). I wish I had found these books when I was a kid. Be enlightened that the blurb gives away nearly the entire plot. It's more mysterious if y'all avert it.

We take a newly orphaned child going to live with his uncle in 1948 Minnesota. There'due south magic and a maddening ticking inside the house, aural from every point. The kid picks up a book called Necromany, which of class never ends well, and the undead go involved.

The clarification makes it sound super scary, but information technology's actually not. Information technology's also fast-paced for that. I think kids would find it the correct corporeality of creepy, similar in Goosebumps books.

Language: None
Sexual Content: None
Violence: Some illusions of battle re-enactments
Harm to Animals: (view spoiler)[None (hide spoiler)]
Harm to Children: (view spoiler)[None (hide spoiler)]
Other (Triggers): (view spoiler)[fat-shaming/bullying (hibernate spoiler)]

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John Bellairs (1938–1991) was an American novelist working primarily in the Gothic genre. He is best-known for the children's archetype The House with a Clock in its Walls 1973) and for the pathbreaking fantasy novel The Confront in the Frost (1969). Bellairs held a available's caste from Notre Dame University and a principal's in English from the University of Chicago. He combined writing and teaching John Bellairs (1938–1991) was an American novelist working primarily in the Gothic genre. He is best-known for the children's archetype The House with a Clock in its Walls 1973) and for the pathbreaking fantasy novel The Face in the Frost (1969). Bellairs held a bachelor's degree from Notre Dame Academy and a chief's in English language from the University of Chicago. He combined writing and teaching from 1963 to 1971, including a year at Shimer College that coincided with that school'southward storied Grotesque Internecine Struggle. Subsequently 1971, he took upwardly writing every bit his total-time work. (from Shimer College Wiki) ...more than

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"He invented the Fuse Box Dwarf, a piffling human being who popped out at you lot from behind the paint cans in the cellarway and screamed, "Dreeb! Dreeb! I am the Fuse Box Dwarf!" Lewis was non scared by the piddling man, and he felt that those who scream "Dreeb" are more than to be pitied than censured." — 34 likes

"He held the book up to his nose. Information technology smelled similar Sometime Spice talcum powder. Books that smelled that way were usually fun to read. He threw the book onto his bed and went to his suitcase. Afterward rummaging most for awhile, he came up with a long, narrow box of chocolate-covered mints. He loved to swallow candy while he read, and lots of his favorite books at home had dark-brown smudges on the corners of the pages." — 29 likes

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Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/295801.The_House_with_a_Clock_in_Its_Walls

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