Wir Werden Nicht Von Yaks Gefressen: Hoffentlich (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
My son and I read this together in the evenings, enjoying the Navel twins unwelcome visit to Tibet. The situations were wacky, the characters mores so. The tale is written tongue-in-cheek so you are enjoying yourself while wondering what rabbit will the author pull out of his hat next. We will probably check out others in the series to see how Oliver and Celia survive the summer with Sir Edmund and his lizard. I'll have to add to this review later when I have more time. Suffice it to say right now that I had seen this on a list of recommended hilarious read-alouds for middle grades. I found it only mediocre and was disappointed.The Navel twins would much, much rather sit on the couch and watch endless hours of tv than go rescue their mother and find some lost tablets that could be the key to the Library of Alexandria. But unfortunately, it seems they have to do just that or their father will lose his spot as resident explorer (and with it their home) and they'll become slaves to the sinister Sir Edmund. So off they go to the mountains of Tibet where they have a disturbing tendency to fall from great heights and end up in precarious situations. Of course, they do manage to survive all of them. But it is becoming more and more likely that there are no tablets to be found, their mother doesn't seem to want to be found, and they were sent on a fool's errand (and are needlessly missing hours of tv).In many ways this reads like A Series of Unfortunate Events, but with child characters who aren't anywhere near as likeable. The author seems to be trying to employ some hyperbole to make things more humorous, but it didn't work for me. The kids who are beyond addicted to tv seem to have no repercussions for their sedentary life style (in fact, they manage to get out of all scrapes by using things from tv shows they've seen), they don't show much respect to adults, and in general come off as lazy know-it-alls. I think London was trying to make them ridiculous and funny, but it back-fired. He treats Tibetan Buddhism in the same manner in the book, at times making fun of it but then at other times having it come in to save the day (prophecies and spirits that help the kids). There are books that have no point, and are just a fun ride, but this wasn't one of them.Notes on content: No language issues that I remember. No sexual content (though slightly related, the kids refer a LOT to soap operas they watch regularly). There is a lot of violence threatened, but not much physically carried out. A yeti eats someone. A monk is possessed by a spirit. A man is poisoned. The kids and their dad are thrown off a plane after being tackled and bound. They get chased a lot and locked up a lot.
What do You think about Wir Werden Nicht Von Yaks Gefressen: Hoffentlich (2011)?
like a dark, modern version of the boxcar children series...kids love it.
—cmcelroy
Kind of a mix between Lemony Snicket and the 39 Clues.
—rajani
so funny. twin couch potatoes on a great adventure!
—KatherineGonzale
