 |
|
Title: Pure Dead Magic (Pure Dead)
ISBN: 0440418496
Author:
Debi Gliori
Publicate Date: 2002-08-27
Publish: 2002-08-27
List Price: $6.50
Average Customer Rating: 4.0
Format: Paperback
 |
|
|
|
|
Amazon Lowest New Price: $0.75
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $0.01
Amazon Merchant Price: $6.50
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Customer Review: |
|
1: Perfect balance of humor. the macabre (and man-eating beasts)
Debi Gliori's novel Pure Dead Magic first caught my attention as a library page for two simple reasons: the unique title and the rather enticing plaid background of the cover (which also features a neat illustration by Glin Dibley). Before embarking on Pure Dead Magic, a work of longer fiction, Gliori had written and illustrated picture books for children. I have seen this book, the first in a trilogy, shelved both with children's and young adult books. I'm more inclined to call it a children's book although I also have no problem imagining teens who would enjoy it. That said, let's talk about what happens between the covers of this book.
Twelve-year-old Titus Strega-Borgia and his ten-year-old sister Pandora do not live in what most people would term a normal household. Things are strange at StregaSchloss, the family's house near the Scottish Highlands, even before their father Luciano mysteriously disappears. Dealing with an unwieldy household while completing her degree in advanced witchcraft, Baci Strega-Borgia is overextended. Enter Mrs. Flora McLachlan who tries to bring some order to the household along with fries that are crispy on the outside and soft in the middle, and the occasional lullaby for Damp, the youngest of the Strega-Borgia children.
But order doesn't reign for very long at StregaSchloss before things get out of hand. Thirteen baby rats go missing, followed soon after by Damp. Then the gangster in the rabbit suit shows up and everything gets even messier.
If any of the plot brought to mind the Addams family, it's not a coincidence. I have no proof for this, but feel strongly that the Strega-Borgia's might be distant cousins of Morticia and Gomez. Gliori pulls off a blend of humor and the macabre, with the odd man-eating monster thrown in, admirably and much in the style so common to the Addams family movie.
Needless to say this novel does require a willing suspension of disbelief, but once you get into the story it's really fun. Gliori's prose is straightforward and broken up into manageable chapters (usually four or so pages at a time) which make it a good pick for a reluctant reader who might not want to read a long chapter in one sitting.
The characters are also excellent. In addition to the family and staff, several mythical beasts and one hungry crocodile also add a lot of dimension to the book. Pure Dead Magic is one of those books that, if you can tolerate some fantastical elements, has something for everyone: a variety of characters, excitement, suspense, and humor. A well-rounded book for anyone looking for a story that will leave them smiling.
|
2: Cornwall,NY Sixth Grader
I am a sixth grader, I read the book Pure Dead Magic by Debi Gliori. It was a very entertaining book. This book was full of humor and magic with a modern day twist. The main characters Titus and his sister Pandora (aka Pan) go through a lot of events such as their father Signor Luciano Strega-Borgia, has been kidnapped. Their mother, Signora Baci Strega-Borgia, is to preoccupied with her advance ed witchcraft classes. Their baby sister ,Damp, has been accidentally shrunk, e-mailed, and lost in the World Wide Web. Finally to top it all off there is a gangster in a bunny suit lurking around. As things are getting worst in Strega-Borgia house hold their irritatingly cheerful nanny, Mrs. McLachlan, might be more help than they ever imagine.
This book is for people who like magic and suspense. I like how the author used fiction creatures as pets, ones such as a yeti, a griffin, a dragon, a talking spider and a great-great-great-great-great-great- grandmother sleeps preserved in the freezer, patiently waiting the day when the cure for old age will be found. I found myself able to relate to the characters and their emotions and troubles. This book can relate to Harry Potter, Lemony Snicket, and Mary Poppins. This what I think of the book Pure Dead Magic.
|
3: ZANY AND FUN
Signor Strega-Borgia has deserted his family. The house (and family) are badly in need of a nanny, housekeeper, and cook rolled into one. A man-eating crocodile inhabits the moat. Great-great-great-great-great-great- grandmother sleeps preserved in the freezer, patiently waiting the day when the cure for old age will be found.
Everything seems to be going wrong in the Strega-Borgia family. Titus, Pandora, and baby sister Damp must go through a series of darkly zany, magical events to re-unite their family and find peace in their home.
I found myself able to relate to the characters and their emotions and hardships. The magic wasn't dwelt on heavily as in the Harry Potter books, it simply "was". It didn't seem extraordinary in the least to pull out a disposable wand or come across a talking spider in this crazy household!
With its simple prose and dark aspects, I found myself comparing the book to Angie Sage's new, delightful little "Araminta Spookie" series. Not quite as clever and funny as the Lemony Snicket books but more enjoyable then the Spiderwick Chronicles, I had fun with this romp of a story and will be looking eagerly for the next installments in this series at my local library.
|
4: Pure Dead Magical
This is a great book!!!!! The antics of the Strega-Borgia's are so funny!! I really loved all the beasts and creatures that live in StregaSchloss. With a balence of comedy , danger and heroics, this is pretty much the perfect book. the relantionships of Titus and pandora remind me of me and my twin bro.
Recommended to any kid who wants a good laugh or a just plain good read.
|
5: Dead? Check. Magic? Check. Pure? Um...
Beware the books that proudly display blurbs using the word "meets". On the paperback copy of Deb Gliori's, "Pure Dead Magic", kids will learn that the book they hold in their hot little hands is both "Harry Potter meets Lemony Snicket" thanks to "Booklist", as well as "Mary Poppins meets the Addams Family" thanks to "Kirkus". I try to avoid the word "meets" when I write a review, but quite frankly I think "Kirkus" had a far better grasp on the book. An odd combination of fantasy-laden technology and sci-fi Dadaism, "Pure Dead Magic" is sure to prove popular with a whole assortment of kids. Whether it deserves its praise or not is entirely dependent on what kind of books your average child reader enjoys.
The Strega-Borgia family has been having a rough time of it. Not too long ago the patriarch of the family disappeared without leaving so much as a forwarding address. Now Mrs. Strega-Borgia is taking witchcraft lessons and hardly has any time at all to watch her three growing children. Fortunately, the answer to her prayers comes in the form of one Mrs. Flora McLachlan. Smart as a whip and not about to take any guff, McLachlan whips the house into shape and knows just how to deal with computer-obsessed Titus, rat-loving Pandora, and little baby Damp. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean the family still doesn't have problems. Apparently the kids' missing father has been taken hostage by his half-brother, a grand Mafioso. Also, the ancient ancestor currently cryogenically frozen in the basement freezer is thawing out, baby Damp has been accidentally shrunken and sent over the Internet via e-mail, and Pandora may have to swim with the family crocodile soon. Just add in the killer in the bunny suit and the fact that Mrs. McLachlan isn't all that she appears to be and you've got yourself a wacky tale with farce, large animals, and good timing.
The book doesn't have any qualms about channeling "The Addams Family". Heck, the butler in the story is named Latch (a switch of a vowel and a consonant) and the first thing out of his mouth when he answers the door is (I kid you not), "You rang?". But beyond that the only similarity comes in the form of creepy/extraordinary things. "The Addams Family" never employed a yeti and the Strega-Borgias would frown on dumping hot oil on visitors. Dragon poo on the other hand...
Any comparison with Lemony Snicket (which was done by "Booklist", "Kirkus" AND "School Library Journal") has to contend with the fact that whatever the flaws of "A Series of Unfortunate Events" may be, at least that series didn't engage in out-and-out potty humor. No such luck here. If the thought of a dragon killing a man through diarrhea doesn't disgust you particularly then THIS is the book for you! I gotta say, I've a pretty high "ick" tolerance, but there were times when this puppy definitely turned my tummy. Gliori also gets a bit sloppy on her finer details. We know right from the start that nanny McLachlan is a witch who tells herself at the start, "You want to forget the past?....Here is your chance to put it behind you". If we are to assume that the nanny ever has any qualms about using magic, however, that is quickly done away with the moment she needs something done. Gliori never says why McLachlan doesn't want to perform magic anymore. Perhaps that's a detail she's put on hold for a future book. Still, it's rather lazy giving the audience a big piece of information like that right at the start without caring to elaborate on it later.
You know, logic dictates that I should've really disliked this book. It had all kinds of things in it that I just don't care for. It's as if Gliori wanted to cram in as much craziness and characters as possible in as short a novel as necessary. But when at I look at its goofy little cover, I just can't do it. Yes, it's gross and not particularly inventive or new. But it has a kind of joyfulness to it that's hard to get past. Gliori is having such a good time writing this book and the kids who pick it up will have such a good time reading it that I'd have to be some kind of a cold-hearted ghoul of a wretch not to let some of that joy rub off onto me. The fact of the matter is that "Pure Dead Magic" accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do. It tells an amusing story with some new ideas and amusing characters. Not the best-written or smartest fantasy out there, but perfectly readable and acceptable for your young `uns.
|
|
|
|
|
