The Secret Of The Old Clock (1991) - Plot & Excerpts
I see this edition is actually a postcard book, but I wanted to review The Secret of the Old Clock with its proper cover.This was the first chapter book I ever read. I have a very clear memory of my mom giving it to me in the car on the way back from Palo Alto, which can't possibly be correct because she wouldn't have handed me a book while driving on the freeway. Maybe she gave it to me before we started driving, and I was reading it in the car? It's kind of a mystery.Anyway, these books taught me how to read. Up until that point, I remember my mom being a bit pushy (or so it seemed to me) giving me books all the time, but as soon as I read this, the first tale of intrepid, strawberry-blonde sleuth Nancy and her friends Stupid Bess and George the Lesbian, I basically became a little drug addict. My substance of choice was these glorious yellow-spined anachronisms, which I sat around my basement bedroom devouring, to the detriment of socialization, math homework, and other important developmental activitives.I have a personal theory about learning to read, based only in my own experience and nothing else, which is that formulaic, redundant series books play a huge role in mastering this skill. Really little kids love to "read" books they're memorized from hearing them, and I think there's a similar process in slightly older kids who've learned to read words but not to enjoy them. Series like the Nancy Drew books are great, because they all begin exactly the same, and skimming through that familiar formula makes the kid feel smart, safe, on top of things, and eager to push forward through a plot which seems both highly suspenseful and completely predictable. I was lucky enough to read some really fabulous children's literature in my day, but honestly, it wasn't the Newberry Award winners that taught me the habit: it was books written on assembly lines, in committee, by ghosts, or however it is that they produced these things (see Sweet Valley High).That said, I'm not trying to take away any glory from Nancy Drew, girl detective. She was always so clever and brave and determined! I hope girls still read these books, and I hope one day to hand my own daughter The Secret of the Old Clock, though probably not on the freeway.
Can I say how excited I was to read my first Nancy Drew book since about the 5th grade. I devoured these book throughout the school year and I really think Nancy gets some of the credit for my lifelong love affair with mysteries.Underneath that excitement was just a small amount of fear. I haven't read this book in 25 years so I was scared that it wouldn't live up to the memory. It wouldn't be the first time that I reread a book I loved when I was younger only to find out that I really didn't care for it as an adult. What if that were to happen now? Would I suddenly find myself ditching mysteries and take up historical romance? I shuddered at the thought then and now, it's just not pretty to think about. On the other hand I knew it wouldn't be the same, and it wasn't. Compared to the mysteries I read now, this was pretty tame and simple. It was a fast and easy read. It wasn't bogged down in complicated plots involving more characters than you can count. Nobody was killed and despite a few scares nobody was really ever in danger. I loved it almost as much as I did in the 5th grade. It was for different reasons though. As a kid I was caught up in the mystery. I had to know where the will was hidden and that the bad guys would be punished. I wanted to know that the good relatives would get their inheritance so they could live happily eve rafter.As an adult, this book served as a palate cleanser. It was just the thing I needed to reset my brain and get me out my more serious frame of mind. It was pure escapism. I was able to read simply for the pleasure of it. I didn't have to think about or analyze what I was reading. I didn't have to deal with emotionally complex characters that left me drained at the end. I got to read a story that was simple and fun, a story that left me happy at the end. I can't wait to do it again.
What do You think about The Secret Of The Old Clock (1991)?
The Good: Before the Disney Channel or Nickelodeon, it was book series such as Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys that entertained young people everywhere. An exciting start to the series, this is not the character that Emma Roberts portrayed in the film from several years ago; she is much more an old-school heroine, which is just how I like my characters. There are enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat, and, as you'd expect, the ending leaves you waiting for the sequel.The Bad: The only complaint I really have is that, despite how fun it is, it didn't blow me away like a series premiere should. Maybe future installments will improve on that.Content Concerns:Sex: None. 5/5Nudity: None. 5/5Language: None. 5/5Violence: Some mild, "PG"-level peril. 4/5Drugs: None. 5/5Frightening/Intense Scenes: The aforementioned mild peril. 4/5 Score: 4/5
—Jerry
Okay -- yes I am about 25 years too old to be reading this book ... but I tried to read it when I was the appropriate age and couldn't get past the gloves and convertible running errands for Daddy.I finally got past all that and decided, you know, it wasn't half bad. I am not a t-shirt wearing convert but at least I successfully read it and may try to read another at some point.As previously mentioned, Nancy runs errands for her father the handsome widower Carson Drew, attorney at law. She has a convertible and wears gloves and proper attire. She is very socially adept and concerned for others. She is the perfect lady -- maybe that is why I didn't like her when I was a youth!Nancy meets a series of people who all are somehow connected to a man who recently passed away and there is a question of his will. The will that has been found is not the will everyone was expecting to see and Nancy needs to find the new will. She has narrow escapes and lots of adventure and ultimately saves the day.So yes this is a book for pre-teen and early teen readers and I finally got around to reading it. Certainly I get kudos for that!
—Lynn
Honestly reading this book as an adult was almost brutal. Nancy's whole demeanor/thoughts/words used etc were just so cheesy.BUT, I read quite a few Nancy Drew books during my preteen years & I absolutely LOVED them. I loved them enough to never part with the books & if I find the "old style" edition of a Nancy Drew book that I don't have I buy it, still. So, I am giving the book 5 stars because when I was a kid I really did think these books were amazing. Now, as an adult, they are ridiculous, lol but I know they aren't geared for adults.Another thing I never noticed before (when I was a kid) is how the title of the book ruins the whole point of the "mystery" of the story, lol! Anyways, I will always love Nancy Drew & I used to envy her when I was a kid. :D
—☆Brittany☆
