When both Eddie's parents catch a disease that makes them turn yellow, go a bit crinkly around the edges, and smell of old hot-water bottles, it's agreed he should go and stay with relatives at their house, Awful End. Unfortunately for Eddie, those relatives are Mad Uncle Jack and Even Madder Aunt Maud . . . .
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"An hour of reading and 117 pages full of absurd adventures that happen to Eddie Dickens (not quite an orphan) on his way to Awful End. It's very funny, very British and very imaginative. Definitely not only for children."
— Thalia (4 out of 5 stars)
" Wonderful fantasy! Strange characters and lots of fun! "
— Gram, 2/14/2014" it was a recommendation a friend gave to me, sadly it just wasn't my kind of humor, better luck next time! :) "
— Claudia, 2/14/2014" Very easy read. Not my type of humor but very imaginitive and creative book. "
— Katies, 2/13/2014" it doesn't have an awful end, it's so beautifully wierd and rebelious! "
— Dr., 1/25/2014" I could never remember what this book was called. I read in third grade, so it's not a wonder that I couldn't remember whatit was called. Besides, i need to re-read it to give it an accurate review. "
— Andrew, 1/17/2014" Such a silly book, we laughed or else we looked at each other in disbelief. "
— Holly, 1/15/2014" Listened as a book on tape. Surprised by how much both kids and hubby loved the off beat British humor! "
— Jolee, 1/11/2014" Clever, cute, charming. Very British, playful language, but lacking that spark. Fun for a quickie. "
— Jennifer, 1/1/2014" Proposterously funny "
— Rachel, 12/3/2013" Enjoyable, but very similar to snicket "
— Jeanette, 11/28/2013" I listened to this bizarre story on CD and laughed out loud. I don't know if it's really that funny, or if it's just how the guy read it. Nice British dry humor and good comedic timing. "
— Jen, 11/14/2013" It was too over the top for me. (And I like Lemony Snicket's over the top books.) I can't imagine what young person would really be a fan. "
— Nan, 11/10/2013" He he he, cute. "
— Kirsta, 6/13/2013" This book is just bizarre and outrageous and funny. I thoroughly enjoyed it. "
— Rebekah, 6/1/2013" Some children's books have an added layer for adults to enjoy - this book is not one of them. There are constant attempts at wit and eccentricity, but it all felt really contrived and childish. This is fun for kids, but anyone over the age of 10 should stay away. "
— Nikki, 12/28/2012" Very, very funny. In fact, I like this much better than Lemony Snicket, but it's definitely that kind of thing! "
— Polly, 11/11/2012" More likely this book should be 3.5 stars. It is a very cute story with memorable characters. "
— Devi, 8/23/2012" This book was so funny! Very random and weird(but a good weird). I thoroughly enjoyed it as a quick and easy fun read. "
— Gretchen, 7/24/2012" The wordplay is quirky & clever. "
— Brett, 6/21/2012" Positively hilarious! Laugh out loud dialogue! "
— Veronica, 7/17/2011" SO SO SO FUNNY "
— Katy, 7/7/2011" A hilarious hybrid of dickens and lemony snickett. Loved it! "
— Rachel, 5/27/2011" Very cleverly written trilogy. This book is hilarious. The audio book is very well done. "
— Rosemarie, 5/15/2011" A quick read with a lot of fun and adventure. Similar to Series of Unfortunate Events. Enjoyable read. "
— Lisa, 4/11/2011" Eh. This was somewhat entertaining and I enjoyed the voices that the reader chose. However, it had some similar tedium to the Lemony Snicket novels' repetition. I guess this is fun if you're 8 or 9? "
— Anndee, 3/10/2011" It was a pretty fun read or listen (did book on CD). Some of the humor got a little bit tiresome, but for the most part it was funny and lighthearted. "
— Heidi, 2/24/2011" Not as good as the adventures of the McNally's, but still good. I like that the author originally wrote the story as installments for his nephew at boarding school. I don't plan on running out and reading book 2, but I'll probably get to it eventually. "
— Ashley, 1/27/2011" Very cleverly written trilogy. This book is hilarious. The audio book is very well done. "
— Rosemarie, 12/22/2010" (C) Bizzare, macabre humor. Short. A series of Unfortunate Events is way better. Not worth re-reading. "
— Summer, 12/6/2010" Kind of a wild book about Eddie, Mad Aunt Maud, and the mad Uncle and strange parents and lots of strange people including a stuffed stoat.<br/>I found it mildly entertaining. "
— Rene, 12/6/2010" Very easy read. Not my type of humor but very imaginitive and creative book. "
— Katies, 9/30/2010" I thought this book was really,really,really,really funny! "
— Antonio, 9/24/2010" Not a bad book, but not to my particular tastes, I thought it was just a little too silly in places. I listened to it read on CD though and it was a great presentation. "
— Caitlin, 7/19/2010" Hilarious! Full of puns, ridiculous and unexpected. A great book to read aloud. "
— Bayla, 7/15/2010" I really laugh out loud everytime I read this book. It is absurd, and a lot of the jokes were over my sons head, but it is very enjoyable. If you like absurd humor this is a good series to read to your chilren. "
— Jonathan, 7/1/2010" Black humor for kids, this series will hit the same buttons as a Series of Unfortunate Events. But it is both more original and less repetitive, and stays fresh as the series progresses. Recommended. "
— Kimberly, 6/25/2010Philip Ardagh is over six and a half feet tall, with a bushy beard. He is not only very big but also very hairy. When not writing silly books, Mr. Ardagh is quite serious and frowns a great deal. He lives in a seaside town somewhere in England with his wife, and their son, Fred.