A good story about a man who loves a women but doesn't have the courage to ask for her hand in marriage. He finally has the courage to ask her-but not before a complicated plot involving the women's tortoise, which is the object of her affection. ( )

Having recently listened to Geoffrey Palmer reading this story, I can't help but love it. Delightfully and heart-warmingly absurd. How seriously should a story like this be taken? How seriously should any Roald Dahl story be taken? Mr Hoppy is eminently harmless despite his deception, and everything works out for the best, even for dear little Alfie. The humor is much more understated than what I generally associate with Dahl and in many ways "Esio Trot" brings to mind the stories of P. G. Wodehouse. Recommended for everyone. ( )

This is a fun book written about Roald Dahl. The main character in the book is in love with the lady that lives below him. The lady that lives below has a turtle that she worries is about. So the man decides to do something about it, which he ends up with a few turtles in this apartment in order to help the woman out. ( )

For years, Mr. Hoppy has leaned over his balcony rail to gaze longingly at Mrs. Silver, who lives one floor below him. But all of her attention and affection is showered upon her pet tortoise, Alfie. Although the creature seems content, his devoted owner is concerned because he has gained a mere three ounces in the 11 years she has owned him.

When the distressed Mrs. Silver tells her neighbor that she will be his "slave for life" if he can find a way to make Alfie grow, the determined Mr. Hoppy devises an elaborate scheme to make her think the tortoise is growing. (Since tortoises, according to Mr. Hoppy, are backward creatures that "can only understand words that are written backwards," his exhortation to the pet begins "Esio Trot"--which is "Tortoise" reversed.) It is a happy Hoppy who gets all the credit--and Mrs. Silver's hand.

In my opinion, this book is the most humorous and lavishly illustrated one by Quentin Blake. You will chuckle at his animated, cartoony drawings.

The moral of this leery tale's
"All's fair in love and war"
If you really want your lady's heart
Then it's worth cheating for...

Book Details:

Title Esio Trot
Author Roald Dahl
Reviewed By Purplycookie ( )

This would be a very cute romance it wasn't built on deception. I wanted to like it but couldn't get past the bit where everything he does to win her heart involves lying to her.