I have been trying to read Awful Auntie ever since I read Gangsta Granny, mainly because I am an auntie. It turns out I’m not awful, though!
This is another post joining in Marvellous Middle Grade Mondays, run by Greg Pattridge at Always in the Middle. I had a load of MG reads to review, so I’ll see how long it takes me to get through them if I post on the third Monday of the month. Except I’ve moved this to today as I have a two part Halloween story starting next week!
Awful Auntie
by David Walliams
Tiddlywinks-obsessed Awful Aunt Alberta and her pet owl, Wagner, are on a mission to cheat the young Lady Stella Saxby out of her inheritance – Saxby Hall. But with mischievous and irrepressible Soot, the cockney ghost of a chimney sweep, alongside her, Stella is determined to fight back … and sometimes a special friend, however different, is all you need to win through.
My Review
David Walliams does the most grotesque pastiches of human beings ever. Aunt Alberta, in her tweeds, goggle-eyed glasses and deerstalker is not only awful, she’s horrible. Mean, twisted, conniving, cruel… but fortunately Stella finds the right buddy to bounce off ideas to get even… and get her out!
I read this during a craft fair, not that it was that slow, but because Awful Auntie is easy reading (for an adult) and full of chortle-making lists to keep a child entertained for ages that I could just skip. Like twenty ways of being nasty to Alberta. (Beetles in your sandwiches, anyone?) Then they set the ideas in motion. It’s really good fun, but Alberta is up to the challenge. Everything Stella and Soot try is only successful until Alberta gets her own back. More help is needed, and arrives from an unexpected direction.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and David Walliams is definitely one of the most favoured authors by the current generation. Only Wimpy Kid gets as many mentions when I ask younger readers what their favourite book/author is. I think David Walliams is a safer bet for anyone wishing to purchase an exciting, intelligent, laugh-out-loud, beautifully illustrated book for a 9-12 year old at any time, especially Christmas.
If only I could add the ‘laugh out loud’ bit to my books!
The book sounds disgustingly good 💜☺️☺️
It is!
Hi! Can’t wait to find this fun book in my library! TY!
Enjoy!
I could use a fun read. And it sounds like one kids will really like. I’m really glad you joined our MMGM group this week.
It is definitely fun. And I felt the same yesterday, and found a book on owls in my urgent tbr. Owls are perfect!
I’ll add this fun book to my list of Christmas gifts for young relatives. Thanks for including your review on this week’s MMGM.
This book sounds like a lot of fun! I feel you about writing humor– it’s really hard. Thanks for sharing this great review. Happy MMGM!
I always enjoy these covers, and this does sound quite amusing. Happy MMGM!
This sounds delightfully fun (and mean at the same time. I mean: beetles in a sandwich? BTW, roasted Japanese beetles in a PB&J add crunch!) Definitely going to look for this one.
As evil as Cruella DeVil?
Hmm, dogs v children… hard call!
This sounds like an AWFUL lot of fun. I will have to check it out, and maybe some other books by Mr. Walliams. Thanks for the heads up.
Yes, David Walliams is very popular at the moment with so many books on the shelves – is he the sole writer or is he a brand (I’ve heard the latter?). Laugh-out loud humour is a skill! Thanks for the recommendations!
I’d forgotten about this series—I read Gangsta Granny, I think, when you reviewed it years ago. Might take a look 🙂
Sounds fun. I’ve never read the author. My library didn’t have this book, but had another I requested.