Alan Bradley is a genius.
Why?
Because, he was smart enough to realize a good thing when it hit him on the head...
Or, as he puts it:
Flavia de Luce walked into my life one winter day, parked herself on a campstool, and refused to be budged.
It took me quite a while to realize that she wasn’t even faintly interested in the mystery novel I was attempting to write at the time: the one into which she had wandered. I found out quickly enough that Flavia wanted her own book--and that was that.
If you don't know what I'm talking about, and you love a good mystery, clever writing, and a main character who will enchant you, make you laugh, and make you cry, you need to try the Flavia de Luce series:
It may have been her mother's death or it may have been something completely different, but Flavia has a talent for two things: chemistry (especially poisons) and solving murders.
She's also too smart for her own good, which, when added to her other pass times, leads her into a great deal of mischief from time-to-time.
Things at Buckshaw, the family estate, aren't at all what they seem to be. Flavia's older sisters seem to hate her and treat her horribly. Her father is distant, seemingly interested only in his stamps. Buckshaw is falling down, the family nearly bankrupt. Dodger, a veteran of WWII, has been damaged by his experiences...
Through it all, Flavia struggles on, admirably so, bravely, with a stiff upper lip, which made me want to wrap my arms around her and tell her it would be all right.
I can't imagine growing tired of this series any time soon and I've read a blurb recently which said Bradley had signed to write at least ten books for the series.
I can't wait. I can't wait to see what Flavia is up to next, where her adventures will takes us, and the answers to some of the bigger questions; like what really happened to Harriet?
Flavia de Luce is one of those characters; long after the series has ended, I'll be wondering what happened to her. Does she grow up to be a chemist? A detective? An actress? Or maybe something yet to be revealed?
One thing's for sure, if it involves my favorite 11-year-old, it won't be dull.
4 comments:
I adore Flavia! As soon as I forget that she's only 11, she does something so in character that I pop right back into place. Have only read the first two, though. Think I might have to resort to listening to the rest of them.
10 books! I had no idea Bradley planned to write so many!
I have only read the first book, but I really enjoyed it. I hope to get to the rest of the series soon!
Trish -
She's one of my favorites and the next two are wonderful! I can't remember where I saw it but I did read he'd signed a contract for 10. It will be interesting to see what he does with it.
Kailana -
I hope you do! I've enjoyed them all but I think the last one, "I Am Half-sick of Shadows" is my favorite.
cjh
I'm a fan as well. That reminds me to get to the latest book soon!
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