Reviewed by: The Page Turner
Book Review: The Missing Butler and Other Life Mysteries, by J. Schlenker
The Missing Butler and Other Life Mysteries by J. Schlenker
- Publication Date: November 16, 2016
- Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
- Language: English
- ASIN: B01N41RJP7
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
My Review:
When I first started this book of short stories I was immediately interested in how J. Schlenker draws such amazing pictures with her words, then I was taken by the actual drawing that accompanied the stories. Each story was rich in detail and there were some delightful images to go along. Frogs, mermaids, beets, all vivid and colorful and unique in their beauty.
The stories were thick with life, The Missing Butler was a story that showed me how much we can misconstrue if we are not careful and thoughtful in our mental processes. It was a great mystery with lively characters and a bittersweet feeling throughout.
One of my personal favorites concerned Oscar and his retelling of his past. He kept me on the edge of my seat just as he did his little listener. Again the pictures were perfect for the story and just as engaging and the tale.
One after the other the tales made me grin, laugh, smile and feel sadness, and compassion. It made me relive moments with my children when they thought I was being odd and unreasonable. There is something for everyone in this book. Some of the comments that the characters want to say are funnier than anything they actually do say. And she has some very funny characters in here. Another personal favorite is the couple in the Conjoined Twins Caper. I can see them in all stages of life and I resembled a few of their moments. My favorite illustration was Master of the Stacks. Loved the image as much as the story.
The stories cover so many different moods and reactions.So many characters in various points of their life. It was fresh and it was delightful. The anthology of short stories is beautifully written with words that stirred emotion, there’s nothing better that can be said about a book than that.
My Recommendation:
Pick up this book and read it slowly, running the words through your brain. Take your time capturing the nectar of each one. There are truly some tasty treats in this colorful book.
Where to Find, The Missing Butler and Other Life Mysteries:
This colorful book is available as Kindle and Nook, by clicking the links below.
J. Schlenker 