Minnow on the Say

'Cosy' would definitely be the word to describe this book. Lacking the supernatural eeriness of her later more famous book (Tom's Midnight Garden), this story published in the mid fifties of two boys, an English country village, a hot summer holiday, a canoe and a treasure hunt seems a bit 'Secret Seven' or 'Boys Own' or something. However, Pearce is a skilled author who can imbue a sense of urgency into a rather fanciful story and cutesy setting, so I became quite enrapt by the book. I've read it twice now and I think that's enough. Like many a mystery it at times bordered on painfully frustrating and the ending is a bit heavy-handed. Probably its greatest fault is that our heroes David and Adam are not particularly well-defined, and show more even fairly interchangeable except for Adam's temper. It took me half the book to get straight which boy was which. It's definitely going for more of a conjuring of feelings and atmosphere than memorable characters. It is certainly very halcyon and nostalgic for youthful summer days that may never have existed. Worth reading if not worth keeping. show less

An exciting puzzle-solving adventure for middle schoolers. Nothing beats paddling about in a canoe. Some dated British cultural mannerisms and expressions, which may seem a bit odd to American readers, unless it is taken as historical fiction (1950s).
As an adult, I was struck by how the dynamics between the different husbands & wives were presented: women labelled as badgering if they didn't meekly do whatever the husband wanted (Mr Tey & spouse). David's mother was mostly shown as a worrier, running the household in a way to please her husband. Mrs Smith putting up with her husband's demands.
The reprint edition has an introductory essay which gives faint praise to this book, saying that the ending seemed tacked on. I felt that the show more additional challenges were just fine, especially how it twisted the original clue, but maybe children wouldn't want to be made aware of the financial difficulties faced by Adam's aunt. That ending showed her having good "business" sense altho there was no justification for her having learned that skill (unless you think that any poor person has learned how to drive a good bargain). show less

Nice! It was a little annoying that she wouldn't tell them _why_ she didn't want them searching - though it would have been a very different and much less interesting book if she had. And the last bit with David so anxious to tell her...what, exactly? Did he think Squeak sneaked it back in? If he knew what happened, why was it so important to tell her right then? Sheesh. But aside from those two small bits, it's a great story; two boys on the river in a canoe, with a mystery to solve; a richly-described environment, complex characters, and some really surprising bits. Glad I read it and I expect I'll reread it frequently.

After a flood, a boy (David) finds a canoe at his family's landing, and then finds a new friend (Adam) in the discovered owner. The two of them spend a glorious summer in the canoe (The Minnow), looking for Adam's family's long-lost treasure in an attempt to save Adam and his poor aunt from selling their house and moving away to live with cousins for lack of money. It's a race again time (the end of the summer holidays) and also against a wicked relative (Mr. "Smith"), who is also trying to find the hidden riches.

This one was wonderful. David and Adam and their river adventures, the mystery and suspense of the search for the treasure, and the lovely characters who fill the small villages where they live make for a happy and cozy read. I show more enjoyed it no end. show less

What a lovely book. I enjoyed it far more than "Tom's Midnight Garden", and wish I'd read it as a child. The treasure seeking was cleverly plotted and kept my interest right through; the clues were impossible to solve until the very end. A satisfyingly old-fashioned read, set in a 1950s village world that has long passed away. A little like the "Green Knowe" books, without the supernatural element.

I was surprised I hadn't already read it when I started it; I was even more surprised to realise just how good this classic was that I'd assumed I probably had read and forgotten. It's pacey and engaging, though towards the end getting a bit more guessable.

A delightful adventure story with some poignant moments. I loved this book - made me wish I had a river at the bottom of my garden too.