The Mysterious Benedict Society

Christmas gift 2014, we read it aloud over the next six weeks, both of us charmed. It's genuinely clever, and a fun read: the puzzles are clever (both for the characters and for us), as are the premise and adventure; and, there's fun in the quirky personalities, the villain, and generally the friendships among main characters and minor.

Both fun and clever were many plot twists and puzzle solutions, perhaps my favourite the unexpected reveal of Constance's secret. (It's clear something is coming, but I did not suspect that!)

Upon completion, we reserved the second book from the library and began it immediately.

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This edition features line drawing headpieces incorporating the chapter title.

The Mysterious Benedict Society is long, 485 pages (486 if you count the riddle challenge from Mr. Benedict on the last page), but it is a quick read and never boring. Four orphaned children with disparate backgrounds are discovered and chosen for their exceptional and unique talents. The mysterious Mr. Benedict recruits them for a dangerous and challenging mission. Even the mission is shrouded in secrecy, it's exact aim unknown even to Mr. Benedict. The children must overcome their initial wariness of each other and pool their talents for the success of the mission. It is a story of friendship, bravery, daring, cleverness, and trust.

TMBS succeeds because it immediately draws the reader in to the story. As the children are tested to show more determine their worthiness to join in the adventure, the reader is tested as well. Each child passes the same tests, yet not in the same way. The reader finds himself plotting how he would pass the tests. How would he pass through the labyrinth without light? How would he solve the puzzling riddles posed by Mr. Benedict? The reader is one with the group that ultimately names itself, The Mysterious Benedict Society.

With trustworthy and level-headed Reynie, nervous and brilliant Sticky, resourceful and cheerful Kate, and obstinate and resolute Constance, the reader will be entertained, amused, educated and thrilled. A deeper look into this novel reveals the possibilities of media or governmental brainwashing (think 1984's "doublethink" or more recently- Feed), however most teens and pre-teens will likely be too engrossed in solving the mystery to take much note of the subtle undertext.

Part sci-fi, part mystery, all fun. The Mysterious Benedict Society will keep you guessing (literally) until the very end. show less

Navigating through the minefield of YA and Children's literature in order to find the cream of the crop is an arduous task. As with any genre that has become oversaturated within recent decades, it becomes plain to see that there is a status quo to be met; a formula, if you will, to follow, for publishers wanting to make the most money, and authors who are chasing the limelight. Unfortunately, this leads to a lot of borderline (and blatant) plagiarism and sameness in the pursuit of writing the next big thing, ending in the publication of a lot of substandard books. Even worse is the fact that this method of unoriginality on the author's part is encouraged by many readers who desire to keep reading the same sort of story over and over show more again. Whether it be YA or high fantasy or shonen manga, there is a certain popular demand to be met, and standards have dropped as a result of this.

But, on special occasions, you will find those special gems; the stories that stick with you for years, that put other books in its respective genre to shame. The Mysterious Benedict Society (TMBS) is, without a doubt, one of those special books. It's one of the few titles that has remained impressed upon me ever since my first reading of it nearly thirteen years ago, and now I find that I have a deeper appreciation and respect for what Stewart accomplished here in the beginning of the tetralogy.

To be able to write Children's and YA books well, a marvelous cast of characters is a must. But, not only must they be marvelous, but they must also be wholly relatable; real. Stewart's cast is exceptional because he's not afraid to make them as real as he can: flawed, faceted, and developed. I was surprised by how complex one of the main characters was, as there were things he was going through and thoughts he had that I was able to appreciate more as an adult now. And yet, I was still able to relate to him when I was a child, and desire many of the same things he did, too, just in a far simpler way. The four children that the story revolves around are just bursting with life, with humor, and with longing. Togetherness and coming-of-age are at the heart of this book, and Stewart has a keen understanding of these concepts as they flourish in his novel. Many a time, I was touched and moved by certain passages in ways I never thought I would be when rereading TMBS. Stewart's writing so readily connected with me, spoke to me in ways that so many other books never have. It is a struggle to build a powerful scene at the right time and place in a story, yet for Stewart, it just seems so easy for him to accomplish.

And while Stewart's writing can be very heart-warming, it can also be dark and sardonic, surreal and strange. At times it is reminiscent of Lewis Carroll, and at other times, Roald Dahl. Mix that in with a Victorian-esque flair, and you have some wonderful writing on your hands. Stewart is no stranger to humor, either. Like Dahl or Lemony Snicket, Stewart has a good handle on all sorts of jokes, be it black humor or slapstick, and even when it comes to certain naming choices, Stewart still had me laughing. Similarly to Neil Gaiman or Snicket, there will be names that are almost unbelievable but are so absurd or interesting that they just work in Stewart's favor. Additionally, if you like puzzles, then there are a great deal of those that the main characters must solve, which are included in a natural manner, making them a joy to read about and to even try solving yourself before the main characters do.

Unfortunately, Stewart's writing isn't always consistent. One of his major shortcomings as a writer is how he can tend to drag things out in certain places. He may repeat the same thing thrice when it's already been established, or linger too long before transitioning scenes, but this is mostly forgivable since those moments are interposed by intrigue or entertaining character interactions. His mild penchant for overstaying his welcome is nowhere near as overbearing as some other authors I've had the displeasure of reading. Beyond certain moments, though, Stewart maintains a good pace, and is able to continually find ways to heighten the mystery of the story until you're saying to yourself, "I've just got to find out what happens next." Stewart can also tend to say a bit too much for his own characters rather than intimating their thoughts and actions, but again, this is not often, nor is it too great an issue. Still, it's a shame, as the book would become better without the extra intrusions from the author.

Now, relating back to my first point about sameness in the genres, I've seen that some people will claim that TMBS bears too much resemblance to A Series of Unfortunate Events, and while it is clear that Trenton Lee Stewart was certainly influenced by Lemony Snicket, Stewart produced a totally different animal, and even managed to surpass Snicket with TMBS #1 alone. While Unfortunate Events does present its dark humor, stakes, and suspense quite well, it lacks the kind of crucial character development found within TMBS, not to mention how the plot and scope of events are completely different between the two series. While Snicket's characters share archetypes with Stewart's, it's Stewart's characters who are more dynamic and alive as opposed to Snicket's virtually static trio. The themes, as well, are not explored nearly as deeply by Snicket as they are by Stewart. I still love me some Lemony Snicket books, but Stewart is simply a much better author. Of course, one can never detach themselves completely from their sources--what ideas would be left for them to write about, for them to build upon from experience?--and so it is imperative for writers to avoid using their influences as a crutch that would lead them to repeating what's already been done. Stewart did not use his sources as crutches; he did not reinvent the wheel. Instead, he improved upon it by distancing himself enough from his sources while still holding onto a necessary amount of imaginative whimsy and inspiration from them, innovating in a rather niche area. Alas, the innovative writer is seldom valued nowadays, and fresh ideas often go unnoticed in favor of cliche and familiarity.

Out of the hundreds of books I had read when I was young, it's hard to find a story that pushes all the right buttons quite like TMBS #1 does. Though it has its flaws, the first book still remains as an impressive piece of literature that mystery readers of all ages may enjoy. Trenton Lee Stewart, with his brilliance and imagination, wrote an indelible book that has stuck with me for years, and it seems as though it were just yesterday that I saw the curious cover on a bookshelf at my library and sat down with it to gauge the first chapter--a decision that I'll never regret. And, years later, I'm glad that I can be reunited with this series and look at it through a more mature lens, and to confirm that, yes: The Mysterious Benedict Society is still the cream of the crop. show less

Reynie Muldoon is a lonely, brilliant young boy who loves to learn and doesn’t fit in with other children his age. He longs to go beyond his limited existence, to be a part of something, to belong. When he responds to an unusual newspaper advertisement, he is caught up in an unforeseen whirlwind that provides that and much more. Reynie is drawn into a new world of bizarre tests, unlikely friendship, unusual people, frightening revelations--and a dangerous secret mission only he and three other equally gifted children can carry out.

***

I adore The Mysterious Benedict Society. I always have. It was and is one of the best books I’ve ever read. It has all the elements of good writing--riveting suspense; an intricate and engaging plot; show more incredibly vivid, unique, and endearing characters; intelligent, easily readable writing; a tone that alternates between lighthearted and deadly serious; amusing wit, humor, and entertaining situations; a frightening and well-developed villain; and deep, powerful themes.

And this book also has many, many things that are extraordinary, unique, and entirely its own--the quirky characters; the pleasantly perplexing riddles; the wry writing style; the elements of the absurd; the hints at complex and unusual powers at work under the surface; the genre that feels modern and like our world but has slight hints of the fantastical and futuristic. The settings and world feel familiar and grounded in contemporary reality, yet they hint that this world is unusual, eccentric, and slightly--and delightfully--askew from the world we know. The worldbuilding is imaginative and immersive, yet plausible, grounded, and real.

The paradoxical and unique qualities of the book are hard to capture except by reading it. No matter what you know about the book before you read it--if anything--it will surely be unexpected and different from anything you’ve read before. It won’t appeal to everyone, but it definitely will appeal to readers who don’t usually like books with very slight bizarre, fantastical, or futuristic elements--as well as to those who do enjoy them.

***

Each time I read The Mysterious Benedict Society, I’m caught up in the riveting tale of an unusual team of children who must find a way to do the impossible and defeat an evil mastermind bent on conquering the world. Each of the children is gifted, unique, and easy to care about--with the possible exception of one of them. Reynie is infinitely smarter than most people twice his age, possesses a knack for solving difficult puzzles, and has a caring and compassionate heart that goes hand in hand with his observant and perceptive way of seeing the world and people around him. Sticky remembers everything with uncanny accuracy whether he wants to or not, takes in information and text with mind-boggling rapidity--and has crippling anxiety and insecurities. Kate is constantly, contagiously cheerful and has unusual skills, athleticism, and coordination, but her positive, upbeat spirit hides a secret hurt. And Constance--no one knows what Constance is good for. She doesn’t seem to have any skills or strengths, and she’s impossible to get along with. She’s cranky and grumpy and does nothing but whine, complain, and insult people. But though the other children question why their mentor, Mr. Benedict, included her in their mission, they’ll eventually realize that he was right--each of the children is important, and each has essential strengths.

Part of the reason this book appeals to adults as well as children is because there are such wonderful and prominent adult characters in the book--adults of all ages, as well as children of all ages. There’s quite a diverse and varied range of ages and backgrounds, from children to young adults to middle-aged and older adults. And each is well-developed, unique, and vivid. I love how the adults are wise and important to the story, and how the children and adults value and respect each other mutually. The adult characters are just as important and endearing as the children, and they are significant and memorable even though they’re in the background for part of the book. The motivations of all the characters feel realistic, making it feel plausible that the adults would send the children on a dangerous mission out of necessity, even if they’d rather not.

In addition to diverse ages, the characters are delightfully diverse in other ways as well. Many different ethnicities are represented in wonderful ways. The diversity is never forced or shoved in the reader’s face--rather it’s essential and natural to the story. And I love that half the main cast is female, and that the girls and women are in just as prominent and integral a role as the male characters. Even the antagonists are half male and half female, as well as several main characters. Each of the female main characters is strong yet feminine, and each is unique.

One of my favorite things about The Mysterious Benedict Society is the relationships between the characters. I love how the four main characters gain each other close friends, something they’ve never had before, and how they find their place of belonging with each other. And I love Mr. Benedict’s fatherly care for the other characters, Milligan’s fierce protectiveness, and several other close relationships of many types. I love how this book portrays unrelated individuals becoming each other’s chosen family.

***

This book feels like home to me. I’ve loved this series, these characters, and their story since shortly after the first book was published, and I’ve waited for each successive book as it came out. It’s been a huge and influential part of my life since a very young age, and I still love these books just as much as I did as a child. As an adult and a writer, I appreciate them in new ways, since I recognize what makes them so well-written, instead of merely being captivated by the story--though I’m still just as captivated now as I always have been.

I needed this book at the time I first read it as a kid, and I’ve needed it ever since. It fills and heals such a significant place in my heart. Much like some of the children in The Mysterious Benedict Society, I was a lonely, insecure, anxious, and very intelligent child--though I would not know any of that until several years later, even the fact that I’m quite smart. (I’m not as precocious as the main characters of this book, but some of my siblings come close.)

Even though I couldn’t articulate why as a child, I related to and connected with Reynie and the other main characters on a deep, deep level. And I still do. Each time I’ve reread The Mysterious Benedict Society as an adult, I look back at my childhood self and see new things that are similar. The characters still remind me of me as a child, in both wonderful and sad ways. Reading their story makes me feel seen, understood, and valued in a way few other things have, since kids like me and the characters in this book are rare and lonely (though I know a handful).

That said, you don't have to be a smart child to fully appreciate this book--certainly not as unusually intelligent as the main characters. Any young person or adult can enjoy it just as much and relate to the characters.

***

I highly recommend The Mysterious Benedict Society to anyone who enjoys quality, mature juvenile fiction, whether you typically enjoy historical fiction, fantasy, futuristic, or contemporary genres. It will appeal to readers of all ages, from middle-graders to adults of any age, since it’s quality, timeless, and thoughtful enough for mature readers young and old, yet entertaining and engaging enough for a child to enjoy on their own. A review is inadequate to express how much I love this book and how truly wonderful and well-written it is. show less

This was the perfect road trip book with my daughter! We particularly loved the first few chapters which introduced the characters. A secret society of clever children who tackle saving the world? Sign me up! It was such a fun adventure. It's a bit like Lemony Snicket, but with a lot more heart.

Whether you are the type of adult who will enjoy this novel depends on the type of child you were. Gawky, studious, overly earnest outsiders will adore The Mysterious Benedict Society. If you were popular, athletic, or a rebellious Goth, this book is sooooo not for you.

While Trenton Lee Stewart’s first novel in what is so far a series of three has been compared to J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, I find the bulk of the book more reminiscent of the late E.L. Konigsburg’s The View from Saturday with a dash of Cartoon Network’s children’s spy thriller The Kids Next Door. In both The Mysterious Benedict Society and The View from Saturday, a motley collection of misfits comes together to form a team that accomplishes more than show more anyone would have believed possible. The beginning, of course, is reminiscent of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; as in Dahl’s classic, in The Mysterious Benedict Society, a forlorn boy gets selected by a mysterious Svengali, rescuing him from his sad circumstances. In the books and the television show, children of an academic bent get an opportunity to shine and to boost their confidence.
However, in The Mysterious Benedict Society, the selection process goes on a tad too long, but once on assignment, the book’s pace really picks up. I certainly stayed up too late reading!

In addition, Carson Ellis’ old-fashioned illustrations heralding each chapter are a delight in themselves!

Readers will also find the quest that the four children undertake pretty thrilling. Four children are chosen to undertake a dangerous and demanding mission; to say more would be to ruin the fun. While not ranking with the best of the kids-on-a-dangerous mission genre — think A Wrinkle in Time, Stormbreaker; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; An Enemy at Green Knowe or the beloved Harry Potter series — anyone who enjoys offbeat children’s fare should give The Mysterious Benedict Society a try. show less

Oh, very charming indeed. For me (an adult reader) some bits were repetitious - but children's books are often at their best with a little repetition, and nowhere did it distract from the story. Some plot twists I guessed (again: adult reader), but that just meant I could anticipate the fun.
The characters are delightful. I love grumbling Constance; I love Milligan; I love Kate and her clumsy, thumping bucket. I even loved the clever puzzles and gentle moral lessons and the crazy, ridiculous Evil Mastermind plot.

What else to say? I'm not going to read the next book(s) - one was enough - but I'm glad that I read this. Simple, easy and fun.