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Apr
02
Just Read It: THE SWEETNESS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIE
2010 at 8am Posted by Rebecca Joines Schinsky
What could be better for spring than a book the color of an Easter egg with a main character you just can’t help but adore?
Description from the publisher:
It is the summer of 1950–and at the once-grand mansion of Buckshaw, young Flavia de Luce, an aspiring chemist with a passion for poison, is intrigued by a series of inexplicable events: A dead bird is found on the doorstep, a postage stamp bizarrely pinned to its beak. Then, hours later, Flavia finds a man lying in the cucumber patch and watches him as he takes his dying breath.
For Flavia, who is both appalled and delighted, life begins in earnest when murder comes to Buckshaw. “I wish I could say I was afraid, but I wasn’t. Quite the contrary. This was by far the most interesting thing that had ever happened to me in my entire life.”
Alan Bradley’s The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie is simply delightful. The mystery is interesting enough, but the thing that really makes this book special is Flavia. She is charming, funny, precocious, and wholly engaging, and her eleven-year-old voice is so well-done that you won’t be able to resist falling in love with her.
And really, what’s not to love about a too-smart-for-her-own-good little girl who puts poison in her sister’s lipstick and has guts to spare?
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie is the kind of fun, light read that is perfect for a sunny afternoon on the patio or a lazy Sunday on the couch (believe me—I know about those!), and there’s not much more I want to say about it besides JUST GO READ IT NOW!
Beth Fish Reads featured a fantastic in-depth review last week, so head over there for more details and a peek at the book trailer.
In the meantime, I’ll just be here braiding my hair into Flavia-inspired pigtails and thinking about how nice the purple-covered sequel The Weed That Strings the Hangman’s Bag is going to look on my bookshelf.
Hey, FTC: I bought this one.
I am an IndieBound affiliate and will receive a commission from purchases made through links on this blog.
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Loved Sweetness too. I’m reading Hangman this weekend.
I couldn’t agree more with this! I love Flavia. I have WEED on my mp3 player and plan to buy the hardcover too . . . just because. And the purple and green pastels will look so pretty on the shelves!
I am finishing it NOW and the new one looks so springy in its purple cover on my shelf just waiting for me to start. I loved it;-)
I love the title of this book! It’s enough to make the purchase right there, which I did. I’ve given it as a gift, too. Love it!
It is next to my bed and will be read as soon as I finish The Book Thief. Can’t wait to read about Flavia – sounds utterly delightful! Cheers!
Jenners sent this book to me, but I have yet to get to it. I know, read it already!
I’m getting ready to go to the library to pick up the audio version of this one. You and Candace have me excited about it!
I may have to read this just because a main character in my high school Latin textbook was named Flavia.
I loved this book!
I loved this book! Flavia was just the most wonderful character to read about.
I have both books on my bookshelf and have yet to read them!!! I think after reading your review, I should really get on it!
I’m going to have to get my hands on this one because I’m hearing that the next book in the series is great, too.
I LOVED this one as well as her most recent in the series. Great review!
I’ve just read the 2nd in the series. Love them both – Flavia is such a wonderful creation! And you are right, the colours are delightful (even if this one is in a shade often referred to as poison green…)
I’m excited that this book is our next book club read. You can come up for a girls night and join in on the convo if you want….I have a futon to spare
I will obey! I’ve been meaning to read this one . . . glad you liked it so much. The sun is just starting to emerge here, so I’ll have to grab it for a sunny afternoon read! =)
Wonderfully compelling title, and your review makes it sound like a “must-read.”
Ok! Ok! I’ll read it
I’ve been meaning to read this and the author’s newest book as well.
Wasn’t it great? I just loved Flavia. I need to pick up #2…
Someone returned it to the library early, so I picked this up this weekend. If I don’t get to it, though, I may have to buy it as you suggested.
Will read . Thanks!
Flavia is wonderful! I had a chemistry set when I was 11 (no surprise there, I suppose), but I wasn’t nearly as clever as she.
I enjoyed the audio of SWEETNESS, and will be reading THE STRING …
Picked this up on my way through the airport and couldn’t put it down! Flavia is just too perfect. Have you read the second one yet? I just picked it up today!
I haven’t read the second one yet. I’m planning to save it for summer vacation. So glad you fell in love with Flavia too!
[...] The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley: From the TBR [...]
Wasn’t Flavia the best? I just loved her!
[...] in a Poofy White Dress by Susan Jane Gilmore Big Machine by Victor LaValle The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley This Book is Overdue! by Marilyn Johnson The Swimming Pool by Holly LeCraw The Tale [...]
Oooh I love these. I’ve already read Hangman and am anxiously anticipating the next one! Why can’t he write faster???