T.C. Robson -
Helpful Score: 5
Rogue tooth fairy? A cat named McCavity? An old, lonely lady that talks to bugs? Yeah, Gregory Maguire covers it all.
This September release highlights a little skiberee (tooth fairy, in layman's terms), dubbed 'What-The-Dickens' after a human's reaction to him, that is trying to regain memory of who and what he is and find his home. This alone would seem to create an awkward, childish tale, but as told by a twenty-something English teacher named Gage caring for his cousins during a ravenous storm, its fairytale quality is much more endearing.
The book follows the little guy through Gage's telling of his adventures from one home to another, discovering new sights and helping others along the way (who else better to extract a Bengal tiger's tooth?). All the while, Gage and his close group of relatives fight sleep and fright during the raging storm, waiting for their parents to return safely...they hope. In order to calm and soothe the youngsters, Gage launches into What-The-Dickens' story whenever fright, hunger or chill overcomes them. And while the kids face the possibility of leaving their home for a shelter upon a sheriff's insistence, the lost fairy finds a colony of those like him...even though they seem to be less than thrilled with his presence.
Only through a series of twists, turns, surprises and sticky situations do both the rainy-day children and the rogue fairy discover their true talents and purposes. Thhe light, but dramatic tale may have children waking in the night to see if that baby tooth they lost is still under their pillow...
This September release highlights a little skiberee (tooth fairy, in layman's terms), dubbed 'What-The-Dickens' after a human's reaction to him, that is trying to regain memory of who and what he is and find his home. This alone would seem to create an awkward, childish tale, but as told by a twenty-something English teacher named Gage caring for his cousins during a ravenous storm, its fairytale quality is much more endearing.
The book follows the little guy through Gage's telling of his adventures from one home to another, discovering new sights and helping others along the way (who else better to extract a Bengal tiger's tooth?). All the while, Gage and his close group of relatives fight sleep and fright during the raging storm, waiting for their parents to return safely...they hope. In order to calm and soothe the youngsters, Gage launches into What-The-Dickens' story whenever fright, hunger or chill overcomes them. And while the kids face the possibility of leaving their home for a shelter upon a sheriff's insistence, the lost fairy finds a colony of those like him...even though they seem to be less than thrilled with his presence.
Only through a series of twists, turns, surprises and sticky situations do both the rainy-day children and the rogue fairy discover their true talents and purposes. Thhe light, but dramatic tale may have children waking in the night to see if that baby tooth they lost is still under their pillow...
Karen S. (KarenLS) reviewed What-the-Dickens: The Story of a Rogue Tooth Fairy on + 25 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Wonderful book !! I liked it better than Lost, Wicked, all his others. Very hard to put down.
Carolyn A. (cvicious82) reviewed What-the-Dickens: The Story of a Rogue Tooth Fairy on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I really liked this book. It was a fun and easy read. I found myself cheering for What-the-Dickens all the way through:)
Charlene (ATraveler) -
Maguire does it again! Take the idea of a Tooth Fairy and builds a whole world and story around it. Enjoyable read for all ages . . . especially adults.
Stef S. (bookgoddessme) reviewed What-the-Dickens: The Story of a Rogue Tooth Fairy on + 106 more book reviews
Another entertaining tale by Maguire. This one is a quick read. Maguire has a real knack for creative storytelling; lots of imagination and fun details. Not one of my favorites unfortunately, that still remains Confessions ... Recommend it.
JOANNE (joann) -
This is a very good story about a poor skibberee who is born alone and discovers his true being. We encounter cats, grissets, tigers, and other skibberee as What-the-Dickens learns valuable lessons on life and how to be the best that one can be. I really like the fact that is written in the present.
Shannon M. (confuzzledbooks) reviewed What-the-Dickens: The Story of a Rogue Tooth Fairy on + 487 more book reviews
A fairy, just born, without any mother or father goes through some of lifes roller coaster in just a few days. Confused about his name (What-The-Dickens) and role in life. The fairy comes across many unique characters including another tooth fairy.
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would since I have only read one other Maguire book and it was not Wicked or another in the Wicked series. What The Dickens story is unique and action packed. In some instances you forget the that the fairys story is a story within a story. The fairys tale is being told by Gabe a babysitter of 3 children that are stuck in the childrens home without electricity and not much food. Not much food insinuates they have been stuck within the home for days. Both stories are interesting and grab you.
With both stories, the story of Gabe babysitting and the story that Gabe is telling, are so interesting that you leave with more questions. Even though there are still some questions unanswered the stories keep the pace interesting and imaginative.
I would like to see more written on What-The-Dickens, the character. He starts as most of us do which is young, gullible, and take things literally. Gregory Maguires writing in this book is excellent and has me wanting to read other books by him.
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would since I have only read one other Maguire book and it was not Wicked or another in the Wicked series. What The Dickens story is unique and action packed. In some instances you forget the that the fairys story is a story within a story. The fairys tale is being told by Gabe a babysitter of 3 children that are stuck in the childrens home without electricity and not much food. Not much food insinuates they have been stuck within the home for days. Both stories are interesting and grab you.
With both stories, the story of Gabe babysitting and the story that Gabe is telling, are so interesting that you leave with more questions. Even though there are still some questions unanswered the stories keep the pace interesting and imaginative.
I would like to see more written on What-The-Dickens, the character. He starts as most of us do which is young, gullible, and take things literally. Gregory Maguires writing in this book is excellent and has me wanting to read other books by him.
Fun read
