Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, Ransom Riggs

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[amazon_image id=”1594744769″ link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” class=”alignleft”]Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children[/amazon_image]Ransom Riggs’s novel [amazon_link id=”1594744769″ target=”_blank” ]Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children[/amazon_link] is part bildungsroman, part gothic fairy tale. Its hero, Jacob Portman, is a teenager living in Florida. He is close to his grandfather, Abe Portman, the only member of his family to survive the Holocaust. Abe tells crazy stories about an orphanage in Wales where he grew up, and he shows Jacob the most fantastic photos of the children who lived there—a girl who could fly, a boy who had bees living inside him, and an invisible boy. As Jacob grows up, he stops believing his grandfather’s fantastic stories until he witnesses a terrible attack on his grandfather that makes him question everything. Jacob’s family believes he is unable to cope with the stress of losing his grandfather, and Jacob begins therapy with Dr. Golan. Finally, Jacob decides he must travel to Wales and see the orphanage where his grandfather grew up in order to come to terms with his grandfather’s death. When he arrives, he discovers his grandfather’s wild stories just might be true.

This book was a delight from start to finish. It has moments of laugh-out-loud humor and hair-raising terror. I really liked the way Riggs managed to describe the reason for everything from sideshow “freaks” to cannibalistic serial killers to the Tunguska Event. After reading this book, you’ll look at mysteries in a new way. Most reviewers who read this book remark on the way Riggs manages to seamlessly weave bizarre photographs into his narrative, but it’s true. I would not read this one the Kindle. You will not enjoy the full effect of the photographs in that way. Jacob is a likeable hero; in fact, I liked all of the characters in this book. I also enjoyed the time-travel aspect. A word of warning: the book is ripe for a sequel, and if you pick it up, who knows how long you’ll have to wait until the next installment (and I hope there will be one!). This novel is one of the most unusual, fun, and absorbing novels I read this year. Perfect for the R.I.P. Challenge!

Rating: ★★★★★


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9 thoughts on “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, Ransom Riggs

  1. You can rest easy, a sequel has been confirmed by the publisher for release in the spring of 2013. So yes, there will be a good long wait, but hopefully that just means the author will have time to write an even better story to top this one. A tall order indeed.

    So glad you enjoyed it. I have yet to read a blogger friend's review that is negative, though I'm sure that day will come and I'm not sure how I'll feel. Probably sad because I think this book is a real delight. One of the most enjoyable reading experiences I have had this year.

    Don't forget to link your review on the RIP Book Review Site.

    Definitely a must read book, especially this time of year. Part of me wishes I had saved it to a cool October evening, but when it came out I just couldn't resist.

    1. That's great news, but seems so far away! I suppose That's as soon as could be expected. I haven't read negative reviews either, and it was your review that convinced me to read it. I will have to post that link later. I am sleepy after Curriculum Night at my school!

      1. Yes, it does seem far away. At this point the number of sequels to books I like that are coming out in 2013 is growing so fast that I feel like I'm having a reading list put together for me. LOL!

  2. I think the reason I loved this book so much is for the pictures… They really added to the story. I am looking forward to the sequel!

  3. Great review! I'm adding your blog to my feeds; I really like your style! Miss Peregrine's is clearly THE book of the season. I've seen so many reviews of it on the RIP site, and they have all made it sound interesting, but you have made it sound irresistible. Thanks for the tip about reading it in paper form and not ebook–I'll be sure to do so!

    1. It is definitely getting a lot of buzz, and it's totally deserving. I have read a review of the book on Kindle, and that reader said it was no problem, but I wouldn't risk it myself.

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