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SheriC

Portable Magic

Reading, for me, is entertainment and an escape from the real world. But it can also inform and stretch the boundaries of the life I live.

Currently reading

A Wizard of Earthsea (The Earthsea Cycle, #1)
Ursula K. Le Guin
Whisper Network
Chandler Baker
Progress: 54 %
Invisible Man
Ralph Ellison
Progress: 28 %
The Mystery at Lilac Inn
Carolyn Keene
100 Hair-Raising Little Horror Stories
Gary Raisor, Richard Chizmar, Al Sarrantonio, Avram Davidson
Progress: 70/512 pages
Leading Change
John P. Kotter
Peanuts Classics
Charles M. Schulz
Progress: 66 %
The Bungalow Mystery
Carolyn Keene
Progress: 192/192 pages
The Bungalow Mystery #3
Carolyn Keene
Progress: 192/192 pages
The Mystery at Lilac Inn
Russell H. Tandy, Mildred Benson, Carolyn Keene

The Secret of the Old Clock ★★★☆☆

The Secret of the Old Clock - Carolyn Keene

After reading and comparing the 1930 original with the 1959 revision, it’s clear that much of the original charm was lost in the update. The original version featured a boisterously independent Nancy and a raucous cast of characters and events, but also some horrifyingly racist caricatures. In cleaning up the latter, the revision also cleaned up Nancy and the book’s events and settings to a syrupy sweet Nancy and ruthlessly G-rated mystery that is pretty dull in comparison. 4 Stars for the 1930 original, written by Mildred A Wirt Benson, and 2 Stars for the 1959 revision, written by Harriet Stratemeyer Adams, averaging to 3 stars overall.