Now, you may or may not have noticed from the type of books I review on here, I don’t really go for graphic novels or books centred around pictures all too often- but after reading this I’ve realised I need to change that- pronto!
With the images and plot working in tandem, I found Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children both compelling and atmospheric. Yet this isn’t a traditional graphic novel, with the pictures being a response to the story, but, even more interestingly, the photos actually dictated the direction of the narrative! It’s certainly an unusual way to tell a story- and I didn’t expect to like it all that much- but this book surprised me in so many ways!
One of the most surprising aspects of the book was that it deals with some very deep and mature themes. On the one hand it is a story about being different- cleverly doubling the narrative of the Holocaust with an analogy for the Holocaust- so that the story of what it is like to be an outsider is told twice over. On another level, it is about exploring one’s own psyche and reconciling with the dark and dangerous parts of one’s own mind. Through the prism of the narrator’s eyes we see and what it is like to doubt your own sanity.
It’s pretty genius stuff and for that alone I would have been impressed with the book. But what really sold me on was how flawlessly this sum of parts came together. With the help of an eclectic cast of characters and his brilliantly organised visuals, Riggs really did create the picture perfect story.
Rating: 5/5 bananas
I can’t wait to read the next one- and thanks to the lovely Fernanda over at Mystery Date With A Book I won’t have to wait long- here’s the copy of Hollow City I won in her giveaway:
So I am well aware that this book is about as divisive as Marmite is in Britain- you either love it or hate it! For that reason I’d like a show of hands -*figuratively speaking*- what did you think of this book? Let me know in the comments!
I really want to read this but can’t bring myself to buy it due to all the bad press. Thanks to you I may pick it up soon!
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Ahh that’s a real shame- i want aware of all the bad press till I read it, which was good cos I might have been put off what turned out to be a great book!
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I’m so glad you love this book! I’ve had this book for a looong time but I still haven’t read it yet because I wasn’t sure if I’d like it, and there are way too many other books I want to read. I’m definitely going to read it, though 🙂
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Thank you! Oh I hope you do- and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
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Yes! Change that pronto n try some comics! 😊 You might like them.
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Haha yes! I should! 😊
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So happy you loved it! I have only read okay or bad reviews so I was a bit worried, especially as I’ll be reading it in November! I was stunned by the details and the pictures of the book, I admit I did not know much about it before I got it.
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Thank you!!! Yeah I’ve seen a lot of those too- so I’m glad I could help- and I hope you like it as much as I did! Nor did I! but it was well worth reading 🙂
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I’m so happy to hear that you loved it! I just got my copy in the mail yesterday, so hopefully I’ll be starting it soon. I’m really looking forward to it! Great review!
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Thank you!! I did! Ahh I hope you enjoy it!! 🙂
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I’m happy to hear that you loved this book! 🙂 I have already read the whole trilogy and really enjoyed it as well. I just love the whole concept and the way it’s atmospheric. Hollow City is my favourite out of the three, so I hope you end up loving that one as much as I did! Great review.
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I really did!! Oh yay- another fan!! I’ve met so few!! Yeah me too!! Absolutely! Oh I’m so looking forward to it! Thank you!!
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Great review 🙂 You already know that I loved the book! I loved how history, and the photos, and the plot all tied together. I was totally not expecting the book to have as much depth as it had. A very pleasant surprise!
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Thank you! 🙂 Yes I do 🙂 Yeah me too!! It was a lovely surprise!
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i have only read the not so reat reviews for the book so to read your 5 star praise with some interesting facts about the read, i am now on the fence. i never really felt compelled to read this series, but… 😀
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haha well I hope you’ve convinced you to give it a shot! It’s such a great book!
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I loved it. Have yet to read the other two. They are sitting on my shelf. By the amount of likes on my IG account, I’d say this series is a huge hit. If I’m not mistaken, Ransom Riggs originally proposed this book as just pictures, but the publisher/editor told him to write a story to go with the pics.
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I haven’t yet- though I got the second one in the post the other day! Yeah I heard the same- it’s so interesting that the story was actually came secondary to the pictures
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We had such a different experience with this book, but I’m glad you liked it. As always, nice review! 🙂
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hahaha I know- I saw your review and I knew I was gonna post this- so I could see how different it was!! made me laugh! 😉
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So glad that you enjoyed this one! I’ve been meaning to pick it up, especially after hearing about the release of the movie but I still haven’t had the chance to! Really hope you enjoy the rest of the series, I can’t wait to pick this one up now! Great review! 🙂
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Yeah I did!! A lot of people have different opinions on this series, but I really recommend it 🙂 Great! Thanks!! 🙂
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Lovely review! I’m so glad to hear you liked that one so much. I read some mixed reviews about it, so I’m really a bit on the fence about reading that one, for now; But I’m glad to see one great review about it 🙂
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Thank you!! yeah I’ve seen a lot of that now- it surprised me cos I went into it blind! I understand- but if you give it a go, I hope you enjoy it 🙂 Thanks! 🙂
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I’m happy you enjoyed this! Personally I wasn’t as big of a fan as I could have been, but I adored the movie. Perhaps because it seemed a little more complete in the aspect that it didn’t have a cliffhanger? I guess the pictures in the book, also kind of contrasted with what I was imagining. Might have thrown me off a little bit.
Fleur @ FranklyBooks just posted SISTERS & CAKE | THE SIREN BY KEIRA CASS
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Thank you!! That’s a shame- but at least the movie made up for it 🙂 Ahh that makes sense! 🙂
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Awesome! 😀 You know how I feel about the book (=meh ) but I can only applaud your enthusiasm for it! Plus, you bring up some valid points :). I’m just hoping I’ll like Hollow City better.
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Thank you!! hahaha yeah I know!! hopefully!! Just *whatever you do* don’t listen to that terrible narration!!! 😉
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Oh, never again! They replaced the narrator for a better one though ;). Or so they say *strokes chin*
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hahaha yeah- you never know- could be a trap!!! 😉
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Since reading this review I want to read the book. I always see the book in the store but was not sure if I should purchase it. Sounds interesting.
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Thank you!! It’s really great- I recommend it for sure!!
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i keep on procrastinating about buying it (or borrowing) but since reading this review i sure will be in the near future!
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Ahh awesome!!
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