8.24.2012

The Children of Hamelin


 
So I read my friend’s book while I was in New York a few weeks ago, but was so busy catching up with life, I forgot to type up my review. Also, here at the cabin, we don't have a phone line, nor more than 2 bars on our cell phones - but my neighbor has wireless that I tap into, but as he's across the road, the signal is strong with 2 bars, so blogging can be hit and miss. I've been typing my reviews at least, so I'll actually post them when I find enough signal to do so.

When I posted about the free download, I think I’d mentioned how Danny is dramatic, expressive, a fun storyteller in person.  Well, I now add that I think he is a fun storyteller in print too.

Another thing about Danny: if you ever want to go to Disneyland, he’s the man to go to for advice.  He can map out your day for you. He will tell you which rides are best to hit at different times of the day.  He knows the good places to eat.  I bet he even knows, though I think they are all awesome, he probably knows the best churro stand in the two parks (Disneyland and California Adventure) because you know Disneyland has the best churros ever. Danny knows Disney.  So I wasn’t surprised to see a little Disney in the book.

One of the things I really liked about the book was how, though a fictitious story, Danny ties in reality.  Think Dan Brown for kids. You know, Dan Brown, author of Angels and Demons and The DaVinci Code.  Just as Brown took real events, real places, real people and created a fictitious (yes people, fictitious – those books are fictitious – did I ever tell you that I know someone who left the LDS faith because he felt that The DaVinci Code was doctrine and that is what he needed to believe in… true story.) Anyway.  Danny – oh hey, Dan and Danny, maybe the writing style comes with the name… oye, I digress, AGAIN.  Danny also is able to take real people, real people, and in this case fairy tale events, and create an enjoyable story.  I just love how he ties so many things together to make his story work. 

I feel like his book leaves room for a sequel, as is the thing to do today, but in this case, I would enjoy it.  I’ll have to email him and ask. I bet it will depend on the success of this first book.  So read this so he writes a second story.

A friend in my book club asked if I thought this is a kid friendly book. Yes, I think it is.  I laugh to myself and think of the movie, The Princess Bride. When grandpa Peter Falk is reading to grandson Fred Savage and grandson gets grossed out by the kissy parts of the story. There are a few, but not many, kissy teenager parts. Nothing inappropriate, nothing you should be embarrassed to read to your older kids. They may unintentional, unknowingly do a great impression of Fred Savage though and ask you to skip the mushy parts, but that would mean skipping a few sentences or so.

 I am proud of my friend’s book.  I think it is fun to recommend something written by someone I know on our blog.  I hope you’ll take the time to read. If you missed the free download period, it doesn’t cost much to download now. And rumor has it; the book will be released actually in print soon. Maybe I can pull some strings and have him autograph your copy if you like.

Enjoy!

No comments: