Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, Ransom Riggs
From the description and the photographs included, I expected this book to be creepier than it was. The story itself, though, didn’t really creep me out — the photos are weird, but having in-story explanations for them kind of takes away that mystery and power. It’s still pretty atmospheric, but not creepy in the way I expected. I was a little surprised to see the fairly lukewarm reviews, though, because I got caught up in the story that’s actually here, and didn’t really mourn the one I didn’t get. (Probably partially because I am a gigantic wuss.)
I had some issues with the characters — why are those people who are repeating the same day over and over, who are hundreds of years old, still acting like children? If they’re learning, why aren’t they changing? They don’t lose their memories, so how are they so static? Even though the headmistress does so much to try and keep them within her loop, and satisfied with it, she can’t stop them interacting, learning from each other and from new people. The situation simply couldn’t stay so fixed, even with the threats the little community faces.
Still, I enjoyed reading this; the narrative swept me along enough that I actually finished it in one sitting, and I’m pondering getting the next book right away. Something about it manages to be compelling, so that I didn’t even really ask these questions while I was reading. Perhaps one best not overthought!
Rating: 4/5
Glad you enjoyed this, in spite of the inconsistencies. There are now apparently two sequels for you to chase up, I think the second only recently published. Look forward to your take on it/them!
I’ve read the second already, but need to lay hands on the third!
I agree it should have been creepier.
You’d think it would’ve been with all those photos!
As a photographer, I adore these novels! The second book was a little too fast paced for me. The third book in the series JUST released in the last couple of weeks and I just learned there will be a movie of the first book coming out next year.
Terri M., the Director
Second Run Reviews
I knooow, I’ve read the second book now and I just need to get hold of the third book.
Glad you liked it! I loved this book. I’m such a wimp though, this book honestly did scare me. 😀
Haha, I’m normally a wimp too…