First off let me say this one thing: I have a list of my favourite writers that is extremely hard to get on (Let’s just say I am a little picky when it comes to favourites), and shortly after reading Alan Bradley’s first book, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, he made it onto that list. Just like that. I love his writing so much that I have bought every single book Alan Bradley has written since then. He’s that good.
Alan Bradley chose to set his series smack dab in the middle of post-World War II England at the slightly run down de Luce family estate, Buckshaw. With the main character being Flavia de Luce, an 11 year old chemistry genius who has a passion for poisons with an entire laboratory for her to use for whatever project she wants. Because it is totally safe to let an 11 year old girl conduct poisonous chemical experiments all alone inside of an old house, right?
Alan Bradley created the ideal sleuth in my opinion: young, smart, curious, and explorative among many things. He makes all of his characters seem so real, so 3D, full of life, as though if you were to look to your left while you were reading, they would be right there. The annoying older sisters, the tired and worn out father, a mother presumed dead and long lost to the mountains, the cook who can’t cook, the ‘jack of all trades’ ex-prisoner of war, the 11 year old genius – all of them put together create an amazing combination, a good book, and I urge you to get your hands on this series the moment you can – regardless of if you have to buy it from a local book store, borrow it from the library, or steal it from your unsuspecting friend. No matter how you get your hands on this book, this is a must read for practically anyone.
I could rave on about this series forever - do you similarly have a book or book series you are obsessed with?
Stay addicted!
~Jason