Book Review: The Kneebone Boy

“People should have all their big adventures while they're still under the age of fourteen. If you don't, you start to lose your passion for big adventures. It just begins to fade away bit by bit and then you forget you ever wanted adventures in the first place.” 

We are now reviewing books which were read this year.  This may not seem like much, but it is definitely a step in the right direction!

Think back, my friends, to a time when I had just begun my obsession with reviewing books.  I reviewed on called The Humming Room, which was a Secret Garden retelling.  I loved it (even though I hate The Secret Garden).  Well, I read another book by that author, The Kneebone Boy.  

Otto, Lucia and Max Hardscrabble aren't much liked by the rest of the children in their town.  Mostly because their father probably killed their mother--or so the town says.  Mrs. Hardscrabble disappeared, and their father keeps on telling them that she'll be back.  But, he leaves them with their terrible neighbor as he travels around the world, painting portraits of foreign, noble emigres and dethroned royals.  One time, they decide that instead of going to visit their neighbor during this time, they are planning to travel to visit an aunt that they read about in a hidden letter.  When they get there, they learn secrets that they aren't sure they wanted to know.

One thing to definitely tell you is that this book was written with a someone darker sense of humor--a little bit like Lemony Snicket, but not that far--perhaps halfway between Lemony Snicket and Roald Dahl.  However, what starts as a quirky narrative, turns into a beautiful story of mental illness, special needs and familial relationships.  I like that Ellen Potter was able to approach these questions without going all "Brian's Song" on us (and you all know the exact books I'm talking about).  The issues were dealt with subtly and in a way that you didn't even quite know that you were thinking about them.  

I am not ashamed to give it every one of the 5 stars it so richly deserves.