Title: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
Author: Ransom Riggs
Publisher: Quirk Books
ISBN: 9781594744761
Synopsis (from BN.com):
A mysterious island.
An abandoned orphanage.
A strange collection of very curious photographs.
It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.
A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows
My thoughts: A new book club that I lead chose this book as our very first selection. I will have to admit that I had never seen it nor heard about it until one of the book club’s members highly recommended it.
I have to say that I did enjoy this book in a weird, strange kind of way. It is actually freakishly fascinating. It is one of those books that is just hard to explain without saying, “you just have to read to know what I mean”. It is even hard really to place it in a particular genre – fantasty, horror, sci fi, paranormal?? Technically it is characterized as a young adult book, but I think it is great for all ages – so adults don’t be afraid to give it a try. I feel that the majority of the book is well suited for adults although I did feel as it neared the end that it took this really weird twist toward being very juvenile during what should have been the most climactic part. I felt like all of a sudden I had slipped into being in a Harry Potter novel – not in a good way.
I myself am by no means a reader of this particular genre of fiction and did really enjoy it. It is one of those books where you find yourself having a hard time putting it down and just as you think you have a handle on it, another twist happens that makes you go “wait, are you kidding me, did that just happen”?
Interspersed through the book are a series of old photographs from a variety of different collectors. I assume that the author found these photographs and then built this wonderfully creative story around them. I feel that these photographs really make the book. They are spooky and fascinating. I can’t imagine the book without them.
All in all, a really fascinating read. One that I definitely would not have found had it not been for my book club! I am glad they suggested it.
My rating: : ) : ) : ) : ) Liked it!
And remember,
Books Are Life,
Heather
Books Are Life - Vita Libri 