Saturday, June 19, 2004
The Ogre Downstairs by Diana Wynne Jones
The Ogre Downstairs by Diana Wynne Jones This is an unhappy blended family. Jack and his two sons are uncomfortable being together and sharing space with Sally and her three children. Can this marriage be saved? The father/stepfather gives two of the boys (one from each side of the family) a magical chemistry set. The experiments get out of control and the children start to bond together.
A few problems: The children seem very worried about the adults "noticing" the magic and yet the father goes back to the store to get antidotes to some of the obviously magical experiments. The father has an explosive temper and while they call him "ogre" they also tiptoe around and worry because they don't know what will set him off. And in the end it is unclear if the what happens is the bonding of a family or money solves lots of problems.
I wouldn't recommend this book but I wouldn't keep it from people either. I would recommend other of Diana Wynne Jones' books; I really enjoyed the Dalemark series.
A few problems: The children seem very worried about the adults "noticing" the magic and yet the father goes back to the store to get antidotes to some of the obviously magical experiments. The father has an explosive temper and while they call him "ogre" they also tiptoe around and worry because they don't know what will set him off. And in the end it is unclear if the what happens is the bonding of a family or money solves lots of problems.
I wouldn't recommend this book but I wouldn't keep it from people either. I would recommend other of Diana Wynne Jones' books; I really enjoyed the Dalemark series.
# posted by JJ @ 9:44 PM 
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Hi Me!
Yes, there are a few books like "Fast Food Nation" that talk about history or the environment or social justice issues.
James W. Loewen's books "Lies Across America" and "Lies My Teacher Told Me" are two examples. Both books bring to our attention ways that we change or glide over history to make *someone* look better or worse. Both are good summer books because they can be read in bits, with plenty of interruptions for a dip in the pool or to deliver that pizza. They are also educational. http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?inkey=1-0684818868-12
"Nickel and Dimed: on (not) getting by in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich is a look at how the system works to stop people from getting out of poverty. I don't think she talks much about banking but here is something I noticed: free checking is generally for people who can keep a certain amount in savings or as a balance in their checking accounts, until you are wealthy enough to have that amount you must pay high fees which keep you from accruing that amount.http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?isbn=0805063897
"The Wealth and Poverty of Nations" by David S. Landes is not as easy to read but has great information. Also dense (but very insightful) is "World on Fire" by Amy Chua http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?inkey=1-0385721862-4. World on fire shows what happens when racial minorities hold the economic majority of a country (or are percieved to do so). The system may work fine until Democracy stirs things up.
JJ
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Yes, there are a few books like "Fast Food Nation" that talk about history or the environment or social justice issues.
James W. Loewen's books "Lies Across America" and "Lies My Teacher Told Me" are two examples. Both books bring to our attention ways that we change or glide over history to make *someone* look better or worse. Both are good summer books because they can be read in bits, with plenty of interruptions for a dip in the pool or to deliver that pizza. They are also educational. http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?inkey=1-0684818868-12
"Nickel and Dimed: on (not) getting by in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich is a look at how the system works to stop people from getting out of poverty. I don't think she talks much about banking but here is something I noticed: free checking is generally for people who can keep a certain amount in savings or as a balance in their checking accounts, until you are wealthy enough to have that amount you must pay high fees which keep you from accruing that amount.http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?isbn=0805063897
"The Wealth and Poverty of Nations" by David S. Landes is not as easy to read but has great information. Also dense (but very insightful) is "World on Fire" by Amy Chua http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?inkey=1-0385721862-4. World on fire shows what happens when racial minorities hold the economic majority of a country (or are percieved to do so). The system may work fine until Democracy stirs things up.
JJ
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