Customer Reviews

The Lump of Coal

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book made me laugh until I cried. It really did. Yes, I'm a children's book author too. No, gosh no, I don't know Mr. Lemony Snicket. And I've never even read any of his other books! But I sure am going to read every one of them now.

This isn't a book for the youngest picture book crowd- they just won't get the humor. It might even be a stretch for the older picture book crowd. But 9 to 12-year-olds who, believe it or not, should still be read to, will likely find this as funny as I did. Read this book to them and find out! Sharing great books is what it's all about :)

If you like your humor on the darkly deadpan side, this is a terrific, unique addition to your holiday book collection.

What I have sampled of Snicket's "Unfortunate Events" series inclines me negatively toward wanting more. But, recognizing the old tradition about lumps of coal at Yuletide, when I saw this small book on the bookstore's holiday shelf, my curiosity at the title overcame my negative response to the byline. I took, I read, I was conquered, I purchased. That was last year, and I remain glad.
Let us for the sake of argument not quibble over such minor technicalities as the apparent confusion about char- vs. bituminous or even anthracite coal; why, when the author speaks of the small hero "rolling" from place to place the illustrator depicts it walking on delightful little anthropomorphic legs; or how (perhaps the greatest if unspelled-out miracle of the story) it can cook all day and mark paper all evening without being consumed. Despite such quirks, the fun adds up to a sort of Hans Christian Andersen meets Ambrose Bierce dish, seasoned with a dash of holiday morality of the lightly cynical variety, and served up with illustrations of color and verve.
I still don't plan on reading the Unfortunate Events until I find nothing else to read, but I look forward to perusing THE LUMP OF COAL every December, maybe oftener.

I absolutely loved this book, and I laughed out loud all the way through! I have read all of the other Lemony Snicket books and I may actually like this one the best because it has all the best elements (humor, pathos, vocabulary education) in a nice, concise form. And, it actually has a happy ending! Plus, I'm always on the lookout for Christmas stories that are just a little "off-kilter" and this is one. Being an artist (graphic-type) by trade I particularly loved the line "Like many people who dress in black, the lump of coal was interested in becoming an artist."

This is a book about miracles and perspective. 'You don't always get what you want, but you get what you need,' a wise songwriter once wrote. This book is the perfect gift for anyone who feels that things NEVER turn out right for them. Like me. I bought this book for myself because I love Lemony Snicket. I've already read it several times and I laugh in exactly the same spots every time. I had a horrible day today -- NOTHING went right -- and I came home and read this book. Perspective changed. Mood improved. Try it. You'll love it.

This is the perfect gift for anyone who ever slightly doubted that Christmas was the bestest bestest time of the year and that all we needed was to celebrate the holiday starting in mid-October! Anyone whoever re-gifted a few office-mates. Anyone who slipped out of the office party after the boss noticed they had shown up. Anyone whose Christmas card list is: blank. Anyone whose idea of a good Christmas present is a gift card at Amazon.com. Thank you all very much. We really enjoyed this book at the Library when it came in . . . after Christmas?

I love this book - it's very clever and very funny, yet still heartwarming with a very positive message. I thought the Lemony Snicket books were dark, and while this has a little darkness in it, it's much more optimistic then I expected. This isn't for very young children (it's bit verbose for my 3 year old), but it's now my 5 year old's favorite. Good plot twists and great language for a kids book.

Mr. Snicket has done it again. He wove a beautiful tale that was complemented by Mr. Helquist's artwork. The style that made the Series of Unfortunate Events so wonderful is captured in this short holiday story.

I used to teach 5th grade and first read this to my class when it came out as a newspaper feature. I purchased 4 copies this season to share with young family members.

I agree with Boni Ashburn in her review of this hysterical book.......I picked it up at a display in our local Borders and by the end of the book I was in stitches. I used my coupon and bought the book that instant. Our family appreciates this type of off the wall humor and kooky illustrations. I must say I have not read the 'Latke' book, nor have I enjoyed the Lemony Snicket 'Unfortunate' series, but this book will be a favored holiday treat for many years to come.

this was a great purchase. i am happy that i bought it and it was shipped on time and nicely.