Having just read the third Corduroy Mansions book this book compares well, with better realized and fleshed out characters, which hold up better against the author's off-character rambles/asides. Pat was back, if briefly, Antonia may have had an epiphany, Bruce makes a couple of sightings, Matthew and Elspeth get plenty of mileage, but this is really about Bertie who continues to dream of freedom. A charming, thoughtful boy who, unlike other children his age, seems to have fully developed the reasoning portion of his brain a full 15 years prior to normal maturity. Still, unbelievability aside, he is a pleasure to read about. And Ulysses turned into a more interesting character than would be expected at 1 year old.

A caveat, however, my feelings about his mother's continued efforts to crush any expressed thoughts or desires has gone from irritated amusement to distaste and repugnance. The continued cruelty, though apparently not malicious, requires even more from Bertie's father, who did manage to do some good this time around. I have decided to give the series one more shot but, if the unrelenting attack on Bertie and his little dreams does not come into balance, I will have to give up on thus series entirely as I cannot continue to read about even a pretend little boy who is treated in such a manner.