I'd say that this book is like a Series of Unfortunate Events with less misery for younger readers. Although it is definitely aimed at children, it is still have a good time at any age! I bought this book on a whim years ago and I've been entertained every time. I love Ardagh's sense of humour (which I'd say is similar to Snicket's although leaning more towards the ridiculous!) A quick fun read ( )

As much as this is read like A Series of Unfortunate Events, it not completely like it.
First they both have that Mulacoly mood to it and Awful End has a lot more humor to it.
If you're looking for something gothic and has a twist, this book be something to add to your TBR. ( )

Zany is the word that kept leaping to mind as I read this book! The story begins with Eddie Dickens, a young boy in England circa 1860 who must leave his parents due to their unnamed but awful disease (that makes them turn yellow, and go crinkly around the edges) and go to live with his Great Mad Uncle Jack and Great Mad Aunt Maud. Although the trip is only 12 miles to his Aunt and Uncle's house called Awful End it is 12 miles filled with mad-cap adventure.

What I loved about this story was the way in which it was told. Ardaugh tells it in a manner which makes the reader feel he is listening to a story made up on the spot, all of the details spontaneous and unexpected, making it all the more hilarious.

Ripping good fun!
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Some of my favorite books have been those ostensibly written for children. This charming little story reminds me of some of my favorites. The prose style is reminiscent of A.A. Milne (Winnie the Pooh...) and the characters remind me of those by Roald Dahl (James and the Giant Peach / Matilda / Charlie and the Chocolate Factory...) with a little Charles Dickens thrown into the names and the settings. If you think I mean that as high praise, you’re right.
The story is set in a fictional and sillier-than-real Victorian England where twelve-year-old Eddie Dickens, a little gentleman, is being sent off to live with his Mad Great Uncle Jack and even Madder Great Aunt Maud so that he will not catch the terrible disease his parents have contracted, which makes them yellow and crinkly around the edges, and although this is a very long sentence and possibly difficult to grasp all at once, it should also give you some idea of the flavor of this book, which I thoroughly enjoyed. And that’s all I think I’ll say about the book because it’s short, so the review should be as well.
I’d like to thank my Twitter friend Rowan for recommending this. I enjoyed it and I, too, recommend it.
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Some of my favorite books have been those ostensibly written for children. This charming little story reminds me of some of my favorites. The prose style is reminiscent of A.A. Milne (Winnie the Pooh...) and the characters remind me of those by Roald Dahl (James and the Giant Peach / Matilda / Charlie and the Chocolate Factory...) with a little Charles Dickens thrown into the names and the settings. If you think I mean that as high praise, you’re right.
The story is set in a fictional and sillier-than-real Victorian England where twelve-year-old Eddie Dickens, a little gentleman, is being sent off to live with his Mad Great Uncle Jack and even Madder Great Aunt Maud so that he will not catch the terrible disease his parents have contracted, which makes them yellow and crinkly around the edges, and although this is a very long sentence and possibly difficult to grasp all at once, it should also give you some idea of the flavor of this book, which I thoroughly enjoyed. And that’s all I think I’ll say about the book because it’s short, so the review should be as well.
I’d like to thank my Twitter friend Rowan for recommending this. I enjoyed it and I, too, recommend it. ( )