Eyes in the Fishbowl

Currently out of print, "Eyes in the Fishbowl" is likely to be ignored among Zilpha Keatley Snyder's books today. This a great tragedy, for this is one of her most tense and gripping stories: the first-person tale of a teenaged boy who discovers mystery and ghostly secrets in a 1960s department store. The first-person narrative alone distinguishes this one from most of Snyder's work; on top of that, the advanced age range (clearly "young adult" in this instance) allows her to make a few more pointed comments than she would in a younger child's book. The usual issues of benign neglect and the distant parent are here, but just under the surface, Snyder lets frisson of the late '60s boil away - leading to little inferred references to drug show more use and, most remarkably, some unusually sexualized characterization.

Regular Snyder readers will find a lot of familiarity in the basic set-up of Dion, the fourteen-year-old underdog, and his obsession with the haunting events at Alcott-Simpson's department store. The setting is more urbanized than most of Snyder's work, but she treats the store as a character in much the way she usually does a creepy old house. And although Snyder has made a career out of flawed but enchanting characters, the appearance of the mysterious Sara is downright dangerous here - and leads Dion into a story that would, frankly, make an excellent family thriller film. As usual, the author manages to find a way to be sympathetic with each character without imposing her views or preferences...and in this case, there's an unsettling element of distrust, too.

I was so pleased to rediscover this lost classic. Although I'm generally quite happy to re-read any Snyder book from my childhood, I was afraid "Eyes in the Fishbowl" would prove itself a simple placeholder. Not so. Before re-reading, all I could remember from being eight years old was that I found the book very scary...and now, I completely understand why. I highly recommend any casual Snyder fan seek a copy of this one out. show less

Fourteen-year-old Dion, discontented with the relaxed life-style his musician-father leads, and longing for a more conventional, material existence, spends much of his time at the upscale Alcott-Simpson Department Store. But as strange things begin to happen at the store, Dion finds himself falling in love with the beautiful Sara, who seems to be at the center of it all. Is Dion's first love a shop-lifter, or something far more dangerous?

This book, out-of-print for some time, is Snyder's fifth novel, and the weakest of her early work. Although quite perceptive in her appreciation that youthful rebellion can manifest itself in many ways, the author fails to imbue Eyes in the Fishbowl with her trademark blend of breathless suspense and show more wonder at the intoxicating power of the imagination. I found myself mostly indifferent, both to the protagonist and to the supernatural possibilities of the story. More than any other early ZKS work, this had a dated feel to it. show less

Dion James is being raised by his father, living in the old family home. His dad gives music lessons and rents out rooms to local students and a family to provide income.

Besides going to school, Dion has a shoeshine stand outside Alcott-Simpson’s Department Store. It is a posh store that carries pretty much everything and elegantly covers a city block. It is a place Dion has been enamoured of since about age 8 or 9. He enjoys walking through the store and has made friends among the clerks.

Dion notices that the atmosphere of Alcott-Simpson has changed; something strange is going on. When he notices a dark haired girl in the store, who appears to be about his age, he wants to know her. He learns her name is Sara and they do develop a show more bit of a friendship, but there is a strange part of it, she cannot leave the store! There are also the “Others” that she talks of. Are the “Others” part of the reason there are less and less customers coming to the store?

When Dion learns that Sara may be leaving the store, he becomes determined not to lose her. He is willing to go to any lengths to keep her in his life.

This story has a fantasy side to the real life side. Through it Dion learns much about himself and also his relationship with his father. The characters learning more about themselves is a frequent theme in Zilpha Keatley Snyder’s books. A good combination in a story line for all ages. show less

I've read many of Ms. Snyder books... I have some in a box somewhere that I bought in 5th or 6th grade. I've always enjoyed them, although they were a bit odd. This one was just more odd than usual. I'm not saying I didn't like it, the ending left me with no real explanation of the events.