A Giant Disappointment
Today I will be posting the book Jack. This is another book in the Fairly True Tales series by Leisel Shurtliff. Before I go and talk about the book I wanted to note that I also have a post for Grump, which is the newest book in this series. Jack to be honest, really disappointed me. I was expecting something like the other three books which were really good, but this one was just poorly written. And to add to it, the character development was really weak. No one really had a backstory that explained where they had come from or what they were like as a character. It was also kind of hard to follow because of the confusing way the author explained the settings. Also, (don’t worry this is the last thing) unlike the other books this one didn’t have any connection to the rest of the series. It was just kind of out there, all alone. This book was a pretty easy read so I would say if you are 9 or 10 you could read this, but the wording is a little tricky. I give this book 3.5 stars, it just didn’t appeal to me. Setting Jack aside for a moment, I still recommend checking out the other books in the Fairly True Tales.
Jack follows the traditional story of Jack and the Beanstalk with the giant and the golden hen and so forth. However, instead it begins with this happy little family that lives on a small farm with, of course, a cow called Milky White. A mysteriously a “storm” occurs and the whole town is devastated. Only Jack, his sister, and his mother are left. Later, they realize the storm was actually giants! Jack’s mother is badly injured and Jack has to trade Milky White for money. But instead of money Jack comes home with giant beans. Enraged, his mother throws them out the window and they are left with nothing except a giant beanstalk when they wake up in the morning. Jack climbs it and finally reaches the giant kingdom where he searches for his father day and night and windes up in the giant king’s castle. He is taken in by the royal cook herself and is treated with luxury and lots of cheese. (This reminds me, stay tuned for a review of the movie Into the Woods which also includes a similar Jack storyline, plus Cinderella, Rapunzel and more! Coming Soon!) What happens to Jack? Is he lactose intolerant? Did his father survive?
I don’t know. You will just have to read for yourself.
Happy Reading!
Evelyn Harrier
Jack follows the traditional story of Jack and the Beanstalk with the giant and the golden hen and so forth. However, instead it begins with this happy little family that lives on a small farm with, of course, a cow called Milky White. A mysteriously a “storm” occurs and the whole town is devastated. Only Jack, his sister, and his mother are left. Later, they realize the storm was actually giants! Jack’s mother is badly injured and Jack has to trade Milky White for money. But instead of money Jack comes home with giant beans. Enraged, his mother throws them out the window and they are left with nothing except a giant beanstalk when they wake up in the morning. Jack climbs it and finally reaches the giant kingdom where he searches for his father day and night and windes up in the giant king’s castle. He is taken in by the royal cook herself and is treated with luxury and lots of cheese. (This reminds me, stay tuned for a review of the movie Into the Woods which also includes a similar Jack storyline, plus Cinderella, Rapunzel and more! Coming Soon!) What happens to Jack? Is he lactose intolerant? Did his father survive?
I don’t know. You will just have to read for yourself.
Happy Reading!
Evelyn Harrier
