Customer Reviews

Diary of a Monster's Son

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Bradley knows his father is special. For one thing, he's impressively tall. But all through this diary, Bradley never realizes that anyone might think the hair and fangs a bit--well--unusual.

A good read, a short read, and a really neat boy hero, who only wants to grow up just like ("Eat your fungus, Bradley.") Dad. Sweet and funny.

While charming in it's simplicity, reader's who are waiting for a crisis or a climax will be disappointed. The title and premise of the book promised so much more--to explore the challenges of having a monster for a father, facing a bully at school, facing the bully in himself, etc. But the author only skims along the surface, leaving us with a book that is superficial and lackluster.

Charming elements include the boy's devotion and tender affection for his father, and his father's for him. The creativity begins (and sadly, ends) with the interesting things they eat: cream of fungus soup, peanut butter and jellyfish, etc.

Specifics: The father's portrayal as such an unflappable, perfect "father-mother" adds to the frustration of having no plot in the story. For those interested in political correctness, the father calls a "Ms. Wainsocket" for home repairs. Bradley wants to go out and build a "snow person." Use of the word "dork" may be undesirable to those who know it's origins and do not wish to hear their children using it.

Nothing is resolved in this story. Bradley never realizes people are reacting to his father in fear. He never faces the fact that he is as big a bully as his arch enemy Raymond, and never learns to befriend him. He never has to face up to his misbehavior at school because the teachers are too afraid to tell their father what he's been up to.

Overall, with so many more books of greater value to fill my children's heads with, this one is not worth the space it would take up.

This is a very low-key book, no great angst or excitement, but plenty of comic touches aimed at a young reader. Bradley's Dad really is a monster (though we're never told exactly what kind; possibly the author wanted to let kids imagine for themselves).

Light-weight, but a fun read. I especially recommend finding the version that comes with plastic claws. These added greatly to the reading experience for my eight-year-old.

Deby Fredericks, author of The Magister's Mask