The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry
The full title of The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry is The Willoughbys, A Novel, Nefariously Written & Ignominiously Illustrated by the Author. So of course, I had to look up the words nefariously and ignominiously. Did I turn to the good ‘ol Websters? Nope. Just turned to the back where Lois Lowry has a really funny glossary, all set out and ready to go.
Nefarious means utterly, completely wicked. The character in the Wizard of Oz could have called the Nefarious Witch of the West but authors like to use the same beginning consonant, often.
Ignominious means shamefully weak and ineffective. Oliver Twist saying, “Please sir, might I have some more?” would be ignominious, except that he isn’t shameful, just sort of pathetic. The book has ignominious illustrations. They are shamefully weak because the person who drew them is not an artist.
He, he. So much of the charm of The Willoughbys comes from the fact that Lois Lowry did the illustrations. I loved them! So, so glad that she had that bright idea.
The Willoughbys is a tongue in cheek parody aimed at all the wonderful “old-fashioned” books about orphans, benefactors, nannies, and long lost heirs. The four Willoughby children, Timothy, A, B, (you’ll have to just read the book for the explanation of that one) and Jane are tired of their parents and are determined to get rid of them, once and for all, so they can become good old fashioned orphans. But their parents whom “frequently forgot that they had children and became quite irritable when they were reminded of it” have a plan of their own to rid the children as well. The Willoughbys is full of all the “old-fashioned” goodies, such as orphans, benefactors, nannies, and long lost heirs, even a baby in a basket makes its way into the story.
This book was so much fun. I really think adults would enjoy this one much more than children because they’ll get “it.” Do kids read books like The Bobbsey Twins anymore? Will they understand why it’s so funny? Even if they don’t, they’ll still love the story. It was highly entertaining and laugh out loud funny.
I found myself wanting to write down all the books that Lois Lowry mentioned in the book and was relieved to find a bibliography on “Books of the past that are heavy on piteous but appealing orphans, ill-tempered and stingy relatives, magnanimous benefactors, and transformations wrought by winsome children.”
So what are they, you ask?
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maude Montgomery
The Bobbsey Twins and Baby May by Laura Lee HOpe
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dicken
Heidi by Johanna Spyri
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers
Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter
Ragged Dick by Horatio Alger Jr.
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Toby Tyler; Or, Ten Weeks With the Circus by James Otis
(All of these books may be found in my Amazon store)
This is a cute, little video of a kid reporter interviewing Lois Lowry about The Willoughbys:
While reading The Willoughby’s I was not lugubrious or irascible. Nor did I think it insignificant, nor as the author mentioned, the illustrations ignominous. Nor was the reading of said book, regrettable. And if you are oblivious as to how many glossary words I’m trying to fit into this pathetic paragraph, well, you’ll just have to read this book, which is made out of paper, not alabaster. I could be my winsome self and send you a copy, but that would by obsequious of me. And nobody likes people who are obsequious. Plus, I’m no tycoon. You’ll have to find another way to ascuisition the book. Perhaps, your affable book seller of librarian, if you are so fortuitous. Or is this to obfuscating? You won’t hear my giving out any expostulations after reading The Willoughbys. Thus ends my beastly, hopefully uncryptic and undespicable, contemplative and meticulous book review.
Hey you! Yes. You! I've noticed that you've stopped by to visit a few times! But I don't know who you are. Why don't you take a moment and introduce yourself. Don't be scared. I try not to bite. I know you're a lurker but I'd love to hear your thoughts about what's been bringing you here. And if you haven't done so already, don't forget to never miss a post by subscribing to my feed or receiving updates by email. Thanks for visiting!
Category: Book Reviews, Fiction, Middle Readers
Tags: fable, I-L Author, published 2008, U-Z Title
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Sounds like a fun new Lowry book! I’ll have to find it.
on August 13th, 2008 at 2:19 amWhat a fun book! It sounds delightful! Not only does the story sound interesting, but I really want to see the illustrations too!
on August 13th, 2008 at 7:36 amI’ve never read any of her books, but this one has been on my TBR list for a while. I just love books that have fun with vocabulary! And that interview was great.
on August 13th, 2008 at 7:39 amI think the glossary was one of the best parts of the book. I really enjoyed this book. I think it is great that Lois Lowry was one of my favorite authors as a kid and I am still enjoying her as an adult.
on August 13th, 2008 at 8:00 amI just read this a few weeks ago and am currently working on a post. . . I thought it was delightful.
on August 13th, 2008 at 8:31 amThis sounds great! I will definitely have to check it out.
on August 13th, 2008 at 8:36 amI love Lois Lowry! I had no idea that she had a new book out, especially one this ignominious. Excuse me. I must rush out and get it.
on August 13th, 2008 at 10:08 amHa….good work getting that many glossary words in! I read about this book a while ago and rememeber really liking the sound of it. I’ve always been a fan of Lois Lowry. I think I might add it to the ‘Need-to-Read-Because-I-Like-The-Author’ list.
See…I have a list for everthing!!
Natasha…have you checked out “The Mysterious Benedict Society”? When I was looking up this book on Amazon it showed up as a recommendation, and it was a book I read and really liked.
on August 13th, 2008 at 11:33 amI should have read this book while I was studying for the GRE. Gosh, those are some mighty big words!
As always after reading your blog, I’m adding yet another book to my TBR list. There’s been a lot lately. How do you not suffer from information overload??
on August 13th, 2008 at 12:00 pmAw, I loved that video. Lois Lowry is so cool! I seriously loved The Giver when I was a kid. Thanks for posting about this one. I’m going to check it out for sure. (sorry, no big vocabulary words from me though)
on August 13th, 2008 at 1:01 pmHa! Never read Bobbsey Twins or heard of two Ragged D or that last one, but all the other “poor orphan” stories listed were familiar! When I saw the title I immediately thought of the Wolves of Willoughby Chase- a silly story about orphans. Where does the name Willoughby come from, I wonder now?
on August 13th, 2008 at 2:01 pmI loved this book. It’s just so much fun, and it’s truly delightful. It’s the kind of book that you want to recommend to everyone
Becky
on August 13th, 2008 at 2:02 pmOh, I’m so glad you reviewed this book. I saw a review at Books A Million but forgot to put it on The List. I just requested it from the library. Thanks!
on August 13th, 2008 at 10:35 pmsounds interesting though i don’t have a clue what you said. =]
on August 14th, 2008 at 8:59 amOk, I admit Natasha that I was about to hit “mark read” on my reader but quickly scanned the last paragraph and wondered–why the heck is she using such strange vocab! Natasha doesn’t usually use obscure words just to use them…? This book sounds fabulous!! Thanks for the catchy paragraph–otherwise I would have passed this one up.
on August 15th, 2008 at 1:50 pmSounds like a cute book, although I’ve only read three or so on that list at the end.
on August 17th, 2008 at 9:30 amThis sounds teriffic! Thanks for the review. I loved the Bobbsey Twins by the way!
on August 20th, 2008 at 9:27 am[...] review of The Giver Book review of Gathering Blue Book review of Number the Stars Book review of The Willoughby’s Lois Lowry’s website and [...]
on September 24th, 2008 at 10:29 pmI love The Willoughby’s book It’s so kool!I don’t like the parents there mean lolz! I just want to say I love this book! I’m 11 years old and I just want to say I love this book i’m on page 75 but it kinda talkes me awhile bc I’m slow so it sucks lolz so yeah I just want to say thank you about the book its so great!
on October 20th, 2008 at 6:10 pmYour “Hey, you, yest you!” worked and I’m commenting.
An interesting little device, that. How does it know to catch 2nd time visitors?
Anyway, I enjoyed your review of The Willoughbys. I loved the book as well. Thanks for listing all the books it mentions, that was fun to read.
I just posted a review of The Willoughbys as well. http://yatyeechong.blogspot.com/2008/10/book-review-willoughbys.html
Cheers!
on October 26th, 2008 at 8:44 pmThank you everybody for your comments!
Yat-Yee – Welcome! I’m glad you decided to leave a comment and my “pressuring” got to you. Your review was great!
on October 26th, 2008 at 11:24 pmThe first couple pages I read I fell in love with it!!!!!! You are a outstanding writer!!!!!!
on July 29th, 2009 at 10:40 am