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Love Among the Walnuts, Or: How I Saved My Family from Being Poisoned
IT STARTED WITH A BIRTHDAY CAKE . . . CHOCK FULL OF POISON.
Alexander Huntington-Ackerman --- AHA, or Sandy for short --- didn't expect his whole life to be a free ride (even though his parents are multimillionaires and he lives in a mansion). He certainly didn't expect his two money-grubbing uncles to try to kill everyone with a drugged birthday cake. Luckily for Sandy, the cake only sends his parents (and their pet chicken Attila) into comas. Along with his loyal butler and a wacky nurse from Walnut Manor, the loony bin next door, Sandy is determined to bring the scoundrels to rights --- if he's not the next to go!
Alexander Huntington-Ackerman --- AHA, or Sandy for short --- didn't expect his whole life to be a free ride (even though his parents are multimillionaires and he lives in a mansion). He certainly didn't expect his two money-grubbing uncles to try to kill everyone with a drugged birthday cake. Luckily for Sandy, the cake only sends his parents (and their pet chicken Attila) into comas. Along with his loyal butler and a wacky nurse from Walnut Manor, the loony bin next door, Sandy is determined to bring the scoundrels to rights --- if he's not the next to go!
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
34 people are currently reading
774 people want to read
About the author
Jean Ferris
29 books208 followersThis author is not afraid to tackle difficult subjects: living with a deaf parent (Of Sound Mind), facing the consequences of a criminal act (Bad), or questioning one's sexuality (Eight Seconds). But Jean Ferris is also adept at writing comedy, historical fiction, and romance. What's most interesting is that she didn't publish her first novel until she was in her mid-40s. Yet she's never forgotten the intense feelings and changes of her own teenage years. Critics as well as teen readers have seen the evidence of that in her writing and have honored her novels with a number of awards, from Best Books for Young Adults to various state and National Book Award nominations.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews
February 23, 2020
Even though this is avl on OpenLibrary.org, I just can't give up the hardcover. The villains are bumblers that remind me of some of Dahl's, minor characters that propel the action. The premise is unique in my reading. The characters are, indeed, adorable. The writing style is clever with word-play, allusion, and deceptive grace. I'd shelve this with the juveniles of James Thurber such as The 13 Clocks and The Wonderful O. It's an all-ages fable: sweet enough for interested children age 9 up, romantic enough for open-minded genre readers, smart enough for readers of adult popular fiction, and a comforting and joyous read for world-weary aging women like me. Jean Ferris needs to write more books.
Btw, I'm giving it five stars, yes. Normally I reserve five stars for books I think that everyone would benefit from reading and that are also near perfect, but I just can't bear to give this only four even though I only think most people would enjoy it.
Btw, I'm giving it five stars, yes. Normally I reserve five stars for books I think that everyone would benefit from reading and that are also near perfect, but I just can't bear to give this only four even though I only think most people would enjoy it.
April 10, 2010
Good vs. Evil? Gosh, where do we start?? Bart and Bernie are your typical, typecast evil villains. And, Mousey and the rest of their family and friends at Walnut Manor and Eclipse are the typical good guys. Pure, sweet, honest... the list goes on. But, I feel like there's got to be something underneath all that. The characters have to go deeper they just being perfect and nice or horrible and mean, there's got to be something underneath that act. But, what?
I feel like though everyone knows nothing's perfect they still search for those perfect things. What I mean is, everyone "knows," or at least says that they know, that no one's perfect, no one's all good. But, still they label people good and bad, stereotype them. But, why? Why do we need to label someone good, bad, evil, sweet, beautiful, or anything else?
I don't think it's as simple as, "Well, those are just names." I mean, I don't think that it's entirely our society's fault, or something. I think that if we do end up hurting people by stereotyping them, there better be a good reason.
Maybe it's that Sandy, Mousey, Bentley, and the rest of the "good" gang rely on having something to darken their days. I mean, as they said, without the city you can't see the greatness of the country. Maybe they can't be the good guys unless their are those bad guys. But, if the good guys are really using the bad guys, then are the bad guys possibly good and the good guys bad?! I mean, have we really just made a big mistake and mixed up our good and bad guys?
I'd love to just say, "YES! I figured it out!" Except there's only one problem, "bad people" usually are pretty evil, or at least they seem that way. I mean, the kind of people that go around killing others, well, that doesn't sound remotely good to me! I mean, the only problem is that good guys act like good guys and bad guys act like bad guys. A lot like bad guys. So, maybe bad people change. Like, they start "good" but then something happens, and then... well, they become "evil" or "bad." But, what happens?
I think that Bart and Bernie must of grown into their evilness. I mean, when they where growing up, seeing that they were in a rich family, they were probably always surrounded by people telling them money is the most important thing, money can get you anything, money is life, money, money, money, money. Then they get told that they'll get almost nothing of the money they've become so fond of. But, is it their fault? No. Then as time goes on their brother keeps on doing better and better, making more and more, and they become more and more bitter. Eventually they hear whispers of them being "evil" or "grouchy" or "lazy" and , I think that does it.
When someone is told they are evil, I think something happens to them. They become evil. It;s almost like society chooses and then, "Now you are evil! Hahahahahaha *evil laugh*" But, why? I still wonder why anyone has to be evil, there's got to be something other then balancing out good with bad. I mean, what would happen if everyone was good?
I don't know. But, for starters, there'd be no story. Nothing interesting. Not only that but, maybe something even worse would happen. Maybe, if there was no bad or good everyone would turn bad, because I know we don't live in a perfect world. Maybe, no matter how much it sucks, there'd be nothing interesting if there weren't evil people. I mean, what would the media broadcast? Who would people talk about in scary stories? We've built our society in a way that relies on both good people and bad people. But, we have to make those people. And, though it doesn't seem right to condemn someone to a life of evil-ness, where would we be without it?
I feel like though everyone knows nothing's perfect they still search for those perfect things. What I mean is, everyone "knows," or at least says that they know, that no one's perfect, no one's all good. But, still they label people good and bad, stereotype them. But, why? Why do we need to label someone good, bad, evil, sweet, beautiful, or anything else?
I don't think it's as simple as, "Well, those are just names." I mean, I don't think that it's entirely our society's fault, or something. I think that if we do end up hurting people by stereotyping them, there better be a good reason.
Maybe it's that Sandy, Mousey, Bentley, and the rest of the "good" gang rely on having something to darken their days. I mean, as they said, without the city you can't see the greatness of the country. Maybe they can't be the good guys unless their are those bad guys. But, if the good guys are really using the bad guys, then are the bad guys possibly good and the good guys bad?! I mean, have we really just made a big mistake and mixed up our good and bad guys?
I'd love to just say, "YES! I figured it out!" Except there's only one problem, "bad people" usually are pretty evil, or at least they seem that way. I mean, the kind of people that go around killing others, well, that doesn't sound remotely good to me! I mean, the only problem is that good guys act like good guys and bad guys act like bad guys. A lot like bad guys. So, maybe bad people change. Like, they start "good" but then something happens, and then... well, they become "evil" or "bad." But, what happens?
I think that Bart and Bernie must of grown into their evilness. I mean, when they where growing up, seeing that they were in a rich family, they were probably always surrounded by people telling them money is the most important thing, money can get you anything, money is life, money, money, money, money. Then they get told that they'll get almost nothing of the money they've become so fond of. But, is it their fault? No. Then as time goes on their brother keeps on doing better and better, making more and more, and they become more and more bitter. Eventually they hear whispers of them being "evil" or "grouchy" or "lazy" and , I think that does it.
When someone is told they are evil, I think something happens to them. They become evil. It;s almost like society chooses and then, "Now you are evil! Hahahahahaha *evil laugh*" But, why? I still wonder why anyone has to be evil, there's got to be something other then balancing out good with bad. I mean, what would happen if everyone was good?
I don't know. But, for starters, there'd be no story. Nothing interesting. Not only that but, maybe something even worse would happen. Maybe, if there was no bad or good everyone would turn bad, because I know we don't live in a perfect world. Maybe, no matter how much it sucks, there'd be nothing interesting if there weren't evil people. I mean, what would the media broadcast? Who would people talk about in scary stories? We've built our society in a way that relies on both good people and bad people. But, we have to make those people. And, though it doesn't seem right to condemn someone to a life of evil-ness, where would we be without it?
October 1, 2009
Love Among the Walnuts Review
This book is one of the only books that actually kept me interested and made me want to read more. This book really kept me reading it because it is kind of a mystery book and is also somewhat dramatic which interest me. I would recommend this book to anyone who can read because I guarantee they would like it. They would probably like the character Sandy who is my favorite character because he is a leader and solves every problem thrown at him. They would not like Bart and Bernie though because they are the ones that try to steal all of Sandy’s dad’s money and puts him in a coma. This book made me feel bad because the things in the book actually happen to people in real life but they can’t fix it like in the book. My favorite line from the book is “You mean to think Bart and Bernie tried to . . . poison us all?” The part of the book that really got my attention was when Sandy’s family members were poisoned and put into comas. The ending was pretty predictable. The good guys win and he gets the girl just like every book. I think that the author wrote this book for someone that he loved and then lost because in the dedicated to section it said “to the memory of Jacket Dewey Everingham, someone who knew how to love.”
This book is one of the only books that actually kept me interested and made me want to read more. This book really kept me reading it because it is kind of a mystery book and is also somewhat dramatic which interest me. I would recommend this book to anyone who can read because I guarantee they would like it. They would probably like the character Sandy who is my favorite character because he is a leader and solves every problem thrown at him. They would not like Bart and Bernie though because they are the ones that try to steal all of Sandy’s dad’s money and puts him in a coma. This book made me feel bad because the things in the book actually happen to people in real life but they can’t fix it like in the book. My favorite line from the book is “You mean to think Bart and Bernie tried to . . . poison us all?” The part of the book that really got my attention was when Sandy’s family members were poisoned and put into comas. The ending was pretty predictable. The good guys win and he gets the girl just like every book. I think that the author wrote this book for someone that he loved and then lost because in the dedicated to section it said “to the memory of Jacket Dewey Everingham, someone who knew how to love.”
August 27, 2017
Reread 8/26/17
"And they all lived as happily ever after as real life will allow." I really just love this book.
**********************
I knew from almost the first page that I would love this quirky little gem. The characters are lovable and funny, the storyline is interesting, and the ending is perfect. Honestly, I kind of want to go back and reread the book immediately. It's marketed as a YA book, but I think upper elementary kids would enjoy it, too, and if I'm any indication, adults should love it, as well.
"And they all lived as happily ever after as real life will allow." I really just love this book.
**********************
I knew from almost the first page that I would love this quirky little gem. The characters are lovable and funny, the storyline is interesting, and the ending is perfect. Honestly, I kind of want to go back and reread the book immediately. It's marketed as a YA book, but I think upper elementary kids would enjoy it, too, and if I'm any indication, adults should love it, as well.
September 18, 2007
This book was sooooooooooo cute! I adored it! It was completely and utterly amazing. The author worked in some really great humor too and it was just very satisfying. It was easy and kinda childish to read but it was very entertaining and I would recommend it to anyone because it's not hard and it made me happy. The ending was beautiful. Kind of predictable as all little kid books are. 'They all lived happily ever after' you know what I mean? But it was very happifying. :)
May 23, 2017
I've been on a spree rereading old favorites. I loved this in middle school. It's still lots of fun. It's quirky and charming. Perfect if you want something fun, lighthearted, and easy.
May 29, 2020
This book is everything that childhood is. The villians are deliciously evil and bumbling, the setting is pristine, there is a perfect balance of scheming and dreamin, the touch of romance hits just right! Needless to say, if I could submerge myself in this universe, I would immediately.
May 10, 2021
Jean Ferris is my favorite! I love the quirky characters and the detestable uncles. Just a fun, imaginative story from start to finish. Loved it!
notes-on-unfinished-books
January 1, 2020I read about a quarter of this. It's real quirky, and I'm surprised it hasn't been made into a Wes Anderson movie yet.
I chose this book because I hoped it would be humorous, and it was more wry than funny.
I enjoyed what I read of it, but it just fell off my list of priorities. I'd like to finish it sometime.
I chose this book because I hoped it would be humorous, and it was more wry than funny.
I enjoyed what I read of it, but it just fell off my list of priorities. I'd like to finish it sometime.
April 26, 2010
LOVE AMONG THE WALNUTS
Have you ever wished that you had a perfect life with no problems? I have and I bet you have also. There are so many issues in our world that it is impossible to not encounter atleast a few of them. No matter how rich, powerful, or smart you are, no matter how well protected you are there is always conflict in your life. Some problems hurt you mentally, and some hurt you physically, but each can be just as powerful.
Sandy had what he thought of as a perfect life, he lived in a huge mansion with his family and their friends. He didn't go to school, he was taught at home, because his family did not want other children to pollute his mind. He could do almost whatever he wanted to. In our world this would not be considered a perfect life, it would be terrible to be cooped up all day. But in his family this was definately the perfect life, out of harms way.
The thing is, no matter how hard you have worked to make your life secure, some asshole always comes along and manages to mess it up. That's just what humans do. People are jealous greedy creatures who are never content with what they have. And they are willing to hurt, and even kill to get more.
Sandy's evil uncles, Bart and Berny plot to kill him and his family, and nearly succeed, everyone but Sandy, and his childhood teacher are sent into comas by a poisened cake. This cruel action by his uncles shocks Sandy greatly and the first problem in his life opens up a whole new category of emotions including hate, sadness, disbelief, and rage. Sandy is forced to bring his sleeping family to a nut house nearby. And with the help of Sandy's new friend Sunny, and all the mental patients, are able to survive, and awaken Sandy's family.
No one wants to have big problems in their lives, but if you think hard about it, you need them. Without problems there would be no motivation in life. Problems push you to try and learn more. When Sandy meets Sunny, he realizes just how isolated and lonely he was all his life. His whole life had been boring, he had never felt sad, or mad, or love, or excitement.
When Sandy's uncles tried to kill him, his life opened up, he finally faced the outside world, and discovered what it meant to live.
Big issues and problems seem to hurt and disrupt our lives, and they do, but they also keep them exciting and interesting. Problems give us motivation, and solving them makes us feel jubilant. We have all wished for perfect lives at some point. But the truth is, that would be boring. Anyway, there is no such thing as a perfect life.
Have you ever wished that you had a perfect life with no problems? I have and I bet you have also. There are so many issues in our world that it is impossible to not encounter atleast a few of them. No matter how rich, powerful, or smart you are, no matter how well protected you are there is always conflict in your life. Some problems hurt you mentally, and some hurt you physically, but each can be just as powerful.
Sandy had what he thought of as a perfect life, he lived in a huge mansion with his family and their friends. He didn't go to school, he was taught at home, because his family did not want other children to pollute his mind. He could do almost whatever he wanted to. In our world this would not be considered a perfect life, it would be terrible to be cooped up all day. But in his family this was definately the perfect life, out of harms way.
The thing is, no matter how hard you have worked to make your life secure, some asshole always comes along and manages to mess it up. That's just what humans do. People are jealous greedy creatures who are never content with what they have. And they are willing to hurt, and even kill to get more.
Sandy's evil uncles, Bart and Berny plot to kill him and his family, and nearly succeed, everyone but Sandy, and his childhood teacher are sent into comas by a poisened cake. This cruel action by his uncles shocks Sandy greatly and the first problem in his life opens up a whole new category of emotions including hate, sadness, disbelief, and rage. Sandy is forced to bring his sleeping family to a nut house nearby. And with the help of Sandy's new friend Sunny, and all the mental patients, are able to survive, and awaken Sandy's family.
No one wants to have big problems in their lives, but if you think hard about it, you need them. Without problems there would be no motivation in life. Problems push you to try and learn more. When Sandy meets Sunny, he realizes just how isolated and lonely he was all his life. His whole life had been boring, he had never felt sad, or mad, or love, or excitement.
When Sandy's uncles tried to kill him, his life opened up, he finally faced the outside world, and discovered what it meant to live.
Big issues and problems seem to hurt and disrupt our lives, and they do, but they also keep them exciting and interesting. Problems give us motivation, and solving them makes us feel jubilant. We have all wished for perfect lives at some point. But the truth is, that would be boring. Anyway, there is no such thing as a perfect life.
April 22, 2011
I found this book on a library shelf and it seemed interesting so I decided to checked it out.
This book is like a great big fortune cookie. On the outside, it's pretty plain and not very flavored or filling. But when you open it up, that's when you get the deeper hidden message. The writing is flat with hardly any descriptions of anything but in the end, the corners of your mouth will jerk up in a smile for the moral of this small story. This "telly" tale is about a wealthy couple, Horatio and Mousey, who build a house in a small secluded town to get away from the miserable hustle and bustle of city life and raise their son, Sandy. Unfortunately Sandy's parents, the butler's wife and Sandy's chicken are put into a poisonous coma by Sandy's evil uncles, who are plotting to steal the family's millions. To keep them safe until Bentley the Butler finds a cure to wake them, everyone moves into the looney bin next door called Walnut Manor. After spending almost a year visiting the institution, Sandy and Bentley come to realize that no one at Walnut Manor is really crazy. They all just suffer from the same disease. They are loveless. And only one person has the cure: Sunnie the Nurse.
What did I learn from Love Among The Walnuts? That a pinch of poison can go a long way. If not for evil plots, you would miss the opportunity to be saved...in so many different ways.
Had it not been for greedy, hopeless Uncle Bernie and Bart, the patients at Walnut Manor may have died there, without ever meeting Nurse Sunnie. And she would've never shown them careful attention, shown them what it was like to be loved and gain the confidence they needed to look within themselves and see their own potential. Sandy would've never seen how sheltered his life was out in the country. Spending all that time in the manor showed him new emotions and responsibilities he'd never had the need for before his parents accident. He learned to grow up...among the walnuts. Bernie and Bart set out to destroy one family and instead created a bigger one. Jean Ferris does a great job at showing how a dose of bad and a shower of good can change so many lives.
I would share my favorite line in the book but it's a huge spoiler.
This book is like a great big fortune cookie. On the outside, it's pretty plain and not very flavored or filling. But when you open it up, that's when you get the deeper hidden message. The writing is flat with hardly any descriptions of anything but in the end, the corners of your mouth will jerk up in a smile for the moral of this small story. This "telly" tale is about a wealthy couple, Horatio and Mousey, who build a house in a small secluded town to get away from the miserable hustle and bustle of city life and raise their son, Sandy. Unfortunately Sandy's parents, the butler's wife and Sandy's chicken are put into a poisonous coma by Sandy's evil uncles, who are plotting to steal the family's millions. To keep them safe until Bentley the Butler finds a cure to wake them, everyone moves into the looney bin next door called Walnut Manor. After spending almost a year visiting the institution, Sandy and Bentley come to realize that no one at Walnut Manor is really crazy. They all just suffer from the same disease. They are loveless. And only one person has the cure: Sunnie the Nurse.
What did I learn from Love Among The Walnuts? That a pinch of poison can go a long way. If not for evil plots, you would miss the opportunity to be saved...in so many different ways.
Had it not been for greedy, hopeless Uncle Bernie and Bart, the patients at Walnut Manor may have died there, without ever meeting Nurse Sunnie. And she would've never shown them careful attention, shown them what it was like to be loved and gain the confidence they needed to look within themselves and see their own potential. Sandy would've never seen how sheltered his life was out in the country. Spending all that time in the manor showed him new emotions and responsibilities he'd never had the need for before his parents accident. He learned to grow up...among the walnuts. Bernie and Bart set out to destroy one family and instead created a bigger one. Jean Ferris does a great job at showing how a dose of bad and a shower of good can change so many lives.
I would share my favorite line in the book but it's a huge spoiler.
June 19, 2017
Review: Love Among The Walnuts by Jean Ferris. 06/15/2017
This is a great story about friendship and fidelity. I think the author did a great job with her writing style and introducing characters that were different, individually creative, and eccentric with humor in the mix. I call it either a cozy, relaxing or beach book. The person narrating has a hopeless sounding style but just enough heart to keep the intimidating fundamentals humorous even when they are frightening.
This is a story about a wealthy man but he is not happy until he meets Mousey and they get married. They have a child and they named him Alexander but call him Sandy. After growing up Sandy tried hard to take care of his parents who are the legacy of his wealth but also Sandy was a caring person. Everything was going great until the day his two greedy uncles came back to town with nothing but trouble for the family and were planning to get rid of their brother, sister-in-law and Sandy to get there grubby hands on the multimillion dollars Eclipse Estate, free and clear….
One day the two uncles showed up with a birthday cake, laced with poison, to join in the festivities at the mansion. However, their plan didn’t go the way they wanted. Sandy and the butler didn’t eat any of the cake, no reason just coincidental. For some unknown reason Sandy’s parents, the housekeeper, Flossy, who the butler had a crush on and a pet chicken who had freedom in the Eclipse mansion…all fell into a coma…! Now, Sandy knew his uncles were up to no good. They made other attempts but were unproductive to succeed.
Sandy now has to hire a nurse to help him to care for his parents at home. The nurse turns out to be a little wacky but Sandy was fascinated with her. However, their home nursing plan was sabotaged. I wonder who was involved stopping their care at home…!? But wait, wouldn’t you know they lived next door to a sanitarium known as Walnut Manor…I’ll leave the other weird events for the next reader….
This is a great story about friendship and fidelity. I think the author did a great job with her writing style and introducing characters that were different, individually creative, and eccentric with humor in the mix. I call it either a cozy, relaxing or beach book. The person narrating has a hopeless sounding style but just enough heart to keep the intimidating fundamentals humorous even when they are frightening.
This is a story about a wealthy man but he is not happy until he meets Mousey and they get married. They have a child and they named him Alexander but call him Sandy. After growing up Sandy tried hard to take care of his parents who are the legacy of his wealth but also Sandy was a caring person. Everything was going great until the day his two greedy uncles came back to town with nothing but trouble for the family and were planning to get rid of their brother, sister-in-law and Sandy to get there grubby hands on the multimillion dollars Eclipse Estate, free and clear….
One day the two uncles showed up with a birthday cake, laced with poison, to join in the festivities at the mansion. However, their plan didn’t go the way they wanted. Sandy and the butler didn’t eat any of the cake, no reason just coincidental. For some unknown reason Sandy’s parents, the housekeeper, Flossy, who the butler had a crush on and a pet chicken who had freedom in the Eclipse mansion…all fell into a coma…! Now, Sandy knew his uncles were up to no good. They made other attempts but were unproductive to succeed.
Sandy now has to hire a nurse to help him to care for his parents at home. The nurse turns out to be a little wacky but Sandy was fascinated with her. However, their home nursing plan was sabotaged. I wonder who was involved stopping their care at home…!? But wait, wouldn’t you know they lived next door to a sanitarium known as Walnut Manor…I’ll leave the other weird events for the next reader….
April 20, 2012
Keri McLucas
Humor
Love among the Walnuts, by Jean Ferris, is an entertaining story about a very wealthy man and his family. Horatio Alger Huntington-Ackerman lives in an ideal, perfect world with his wife, Mousey and their son, Sandy. The world the little family lives in is so complete; they never need to leave their home for anything. The home is located right next door to a sanitarium known as Walnut Manor. Unfortunately, Horatio’s brothers, Bart and Bernie are not quite as happy or wealthy. They devise methods to take over Horatio’s companies and financial kingdom. Bart and Bernie make mistakes while trying to get rid of Horatio and his family, leaving Horatio, Mousey and the pet chicken in deep comas. The “sleepers” are moved next door to Walnut Manor for easier care until they wake up. While Sandy, the family butler and a lovely nurse take care of the family and other patients they learn some terrible secrets about the dwindling finances of Walnut Manor. They work to devise a plan of their own to end the brother’s attempts to take over the family fortune and Walnut Manor.
Love among the Walnuts is a book that readers will not be able to put down. At times the story seems a bit melancholy and other times very dramatic, yet the twists and turns keep it light and absolutely comical! This story begins as a novel for the younger teen; however, the plot quickly deepens and targets a much older group of young adult readers. The language is appropriately light and adds to this very clever and funny story!
Humor
Love among the Walnuts, by Jean Ferris, is an entertaining story about a very wealthy man and his family. Horatio Alger Huntington-Ackerman lives in an ideal, perfect world with his wife, Mousey and their son, Sandy. The world the little family lives in is so complete; they never need to leave their home for anything. The home is located right next door to a sanitarium known as Walnut Manor. Unfortunately, Horatio’s brothers, Bart and Bernie are not quite as happy or wealthy. They devise methods to take over Horatio’s companies and financial kingdom. Bart and Bernie make mistakes while trying to get rid of Horatio and his family, leaving Horatio, Mousey and the pet chicken in deep comas. The “sleepers” are moved next door to Walnut Manor for easier care until they wake up. While Sandy, the family butler and a lovely nurse take care of the family and other patients they learn some terrible secrets about the dwindling finances of Walnut Manor. They work to devise a plan of their own to end the brother’s attempts to take over the family fortune and Walnut Manor.
Love among the Walnuts is a book that readers will not be able to put down. At times the story seems a bit melancholy and other times very dramatic, yet the twists and turns keep it light and absolutely comical! This story begins as a novel for the younger teen; however, the plot quickly deepens and targets a much older group of young adult readers. The language is appropriately light and adds to this very clever and funny story!
May 20, 2009
Horatio is a wealthy man who meets and falls in love with Mousey. They get married and move to the country to live in isolation. Eventually they have a baby they name Sandy. Sandy grows up isolated from the world, learning from his parents. (he is very book smart) The only downside in their lives are monthly visits from Sandy's uncles (Horatio's brothers)Bentley and Bernie. Bentley and Bernie are trying to poison the family so that they can get all of the family's money. Eventually the brothers succeed in poisoning some, but not all of the family. Sandy's parents,Flossie (one of the two servants who are like family) and Sandy's pet chicken Atila. Sandy hires a nurse to care for them but the uncles go to court and insist they go to a hospital for proper care. Sandy takes them to the Walnut House next door, a hospital for distressed people. There are several people in Walnut House although there are things wrong with them, it is nothing that a little bit of time and Sunnie's common sense can't cure. Eventually the inmates band together with Sunnie and Sandy and not only do they beat out the uncles, but they discover that the relatives that put them there are stealing money from the institute. They get their money back from their relatives and turn the institute into a nonprofit place for people who need to recharge from life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
April 2, 2012Alyssa Morres
Humor
This story is about Horatio who in the beginning starts out as a very wealthy but unhappy man. Then he finds love and marries Mousey. They move out to the country and have a child named Alexander whose nickname is Sandy. The Horatio's brothers come into town and try everything to take his money. They decide then to try to poison him and send him and everyone else into a coma except Sandy and Bently, who is the butler. They put them into a crazy hospital where their nurse Sunnie tries to save them and turn in Bart and Bernie the brothers who did this.
Humor
This story is about Horatio who in the beginning starts out as a very wealthy but unhappy man. Then he finds love and marries Mousey. They move out to the country and have a child named Alexander whose nickname is Sandy. The Horatio's brothers come into town and try everything to take his money. They decide then to try to poison him and send him and everyone else into a coma except Sandy and Bently, who is the butler. They put them into a crazy hospital where their nurse Sunnie tries to save them and turn in Bart and Bernie the brothers who did this.
March 29, 2016
I read this a while back right after I read the Once Upon a Marigold series by the same author. As time has passed, I realize more and more how much this book touched me. It has really opened my eyes to the real world and though this is a middle grade, it was fantastic. I would honestly recommend it.
January 16, 2011
Very sweet fun laugh out loud romance and touching story. 14 and up.
August 18, 2017
Quick read. I liked the story.
April 27, 2018
You would think that they would not like cake for the wedding after all that had happened. I love this book
March 22, 2022
Love Among The Walnuts
Book Review
March 21st 2022
Love Among The Walnuts was written by Jean Ferris. The book is about a family who lives far away from the nearest city, who also has no idea what the date is, or the time. The family includes, the father Horatio, the mother Mousey, the uncle Bentley, the aunt Flossie, and the most important character, Sandy Huntington-Ackerman. Sandy has also these really crazy uncles who try killing the entire family for their money. They first try poisoning the family, which puts everyone into comas except for Sandy and Bentley. This causes a huge problem for the family. They hire a nurse, Sunnie, to watch over the so-called “sleepers”, while they file a restraining order against the uncles. That doesn't work out so well, but Sandy doesn't give up. Later on in the book, the “sleepers” get moved to an old hospital near their house. Sandy and Bentley meet many new people, and most of the people have problems of their own. The hospital basically becomes Sandy and Bentley’s new home, Bentley still is moving back and forth from their actual house to work on cures for the sleepers, and back to the hospital. As time passes those problems get solved, but the uncles are still going after their money. They try poisoning them once again, and even starting the hospital on fire. In the end, the sleepers wake up, and they live, sorta, a happy ever after.
The author, Jean Ferris, really puts lots of detail into the book. The book is really interesting and fun to read because of all of the mysteries it takes you through. It could make the reader feel scared, angry, confused, concerned, etc. But overall its a really good book to read if you enjoy mystery books.
I really enjoyed reading this book, it gives a feeling of wanting to keep reading after you finish a chapter/ a really important part. Sometimes the book can be confusing if you don’t pay much attention, but if you’re really into the book, you will want to read it. The ending was very good, it had all of the problems solved in the end, but i did not like the part where two of the characters got married. Love Among The Walnuts is a very good book to read, I really enjoyed it.
Book Review
March 21st 2022
Love Among The Walnuts was written by Jean Ferris. The book is about a family who lives far away from the nearest city, who also has no idea what the date is, or the time. The family includes, the father Horatio, the mother Mousey, the uncle Bentley, the aunt Flossie, and the most important character, Sandy Huntington-Ackerman. Sandy has also these really crazy uncles who try killing the entire family for their money. They first try poisoning the family, which puts everyone into comas except for Sandy and Bentley. This causes a huge problem for the family. They hire a nurse, Sunnie, to watch over the so-called “sleepers”, while they file a restraining order against the uncles. That doesn't work out so well, but Sandy doesn't give up. Later on in the book, the “sleepers” get moved to an old hospital near their house. Sandy and Bentley meet many new people, and most of the people have problems of their own. The hospital basically becomes Sandy and Bentley’s new home, Bentley still is moving back and forth from their actual house to work on cures for the sleepers, and back to the hospital. As time passes those problems get solved, but the uncles are still going after their money. They try poisoning them once again, and even starting the hospital on fire. In the end, the sleepers wake up, and they live, sorta, a happy ever after.
The author, Jean Ferris, really puts lots of detail into the book. The book is really interesting and fun to read because of all of the mysteries it takes you through. It could make the reader feel scared, angry, confused, concerned, etc. But overall its a really good book to read if you enjoy mystery books.
I really enjoyed reading this book, it gives a feeling of wanting to keep reading after you finish a chapter/ a really important part. Sometimes the book can be confusing if you don’t pay much attention, but if you’re really into the book, you will want to read it. The ending was very good, it had all of the problems solved in the end, but i did not like the part where two of the characters got married. Love Among The Walnuts is a very good book to read, I really enjoyed it.
June 5, 2019
"I think anything's bearable if you have the right people to bear it with you."
Love Among the Walnuts begins with Horatio and Mousey falling in love and starting a family. Fast forward into the future, they, (along with their chicken, Attila), are poisoned by the uncles. Sandy, their son, is determined to bring them out of their comas, and with the help of the butler and a nurse, Sunnie, they move the unconscious bodies to Walnut Manor. While the butler attempts to discover a cure, Sandy and Sunnie interact with the people living at Walnut Manor, whom of which are "loonies" in this "mental institution", and together they try to stop the uncles from poisoning the rest of them. This novel is all about discovering family and love.
The two words I would use to describe this book are "farcical" and "quirky". The plot and characters are over the top, but still written well. Though it is heavily layered with farce and humor, there is still a gentle theme and moral to the story, that of love and caring for one another. I'd recommend this book to all ages. The story is timeless and you quickly grow attached to the quirky characters and you can just feel the love seeping through the pages.
Content Warnings:
• none
Love Among the Walnuts begins with Horatio and Mousey falling in love and starting a family. Fast forward into the future, they, (along with their chicken, Attila), are poisoned by the uncles. Sandy, their son, is determined to bring them out of their comas, and with the help of the butler and a nurse, Sunnie, they move the unconscious bodies to Walnut Manor. While the butler attempts to discover a cure, Sandy and Sunnie interact with the people living at Walnut Manor, whom of which are "loonies" in this "mental institution", and together they try to stop the uncles from poisoning the rest of them. This novel is all about discovering family and love.
The two words I would use to describe this book are "farcical" and "quirky". The plot and characters are over the top, but still written well. Though it is heavily layered with farce and humor, there is still a gentle theme and moral to the story, that of love and caring for one another. I'd recommend this book to all ages. The story is timeless and you quickly grow attached to the quirky characters and you can just feel the love seeping through the pages.
Content Warnings:
• none
September 22, 2017
Love Among The Walnuts by Jean Ferris was a mediocre book. In this realistic fiction book the main characters have removed themselves from society and live in their own perfect world. Sandy, Horatio, and Mousey are wealthy and Sandy’s uncles are after the family’s fortune. One day the uncles poison a birthday cake and Mousey, Horatio, and Flossie- the butler’s wife- slip into comas. The patients are moved to the next door mental home, where shocking discoveries are made, all while Sandy’s uncles are after the residents of the home. The ending of the book is adorable but, the beginning was hard to read and was kind of boring. It was interesting enough that I couldn’t quit reading it, but I wasn’t obsessed with it. I would recommend this book if you needed something to pass the time and you want something light and funny. If you are looking for a deep, interesting, and a very good book I would not recommend this one. There was a very good plot, but it moved slowly. Overall I would give this book three stars.
October 14, 2019
fun and humorous yarn about a wealthy family, Horatio, Sandy (Alexander), Flossie and Bentley who live away from civilization at Eclipse, a haven separated from the real world. When Bernie and Bart, Sandy's uncle's poison the family, sending them into comas, it propels Sandy and Bentley into a story both heartfelt and quirky. They end up at Walnut Manor, an asylum for the mentally ill next to the property, where they move Horatio, Flossie and Bentley, in an effort to protect them from the Uncle's. The story includes a cast of characters including the inmates and Sunnie the nurse, that Sandy falls in love with. Maybe a bit saccharin at times, but hardly a difficult read, and would be good for YA of a younger age, looking for something lighter. The arc of the characters will be compelling for many readers and the care the author took in describing them (like Everett's use of quotes) goes along way to identifying with them.
September 19, 2019
Honestly I liked this book. It took me a lot longer to read it than I thought I would. This could be due to the filler parts of the story that just didn’t seem to interest me or keep me trying to read it. It ended quite fast and didn’t have that satisfactory ending. “Oh I finished it, cool. I can finally read a different book”
Spoiler: they all wake up and Sandy and Sunnie quickly get engaged. We all knew it was happening, it was inevitable. But I’m a sucker for romance, in any form or fashion. So,
Final rating 3.5
Ps. Bart and Bernie were some of my favorite ‘villains’ :)
Spoiler: they all wake up and Sandy and Sunnie quickly get engaged. We all knew it was happening, it was inevitable. But I’m a sucker for romance, in any form or fashion. So,
Final rating 3.5
Ps. Bart and Bernie were some of my favorite ‘villains’ :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2019
Maybe it's just me, but everyone in this book is way too happy. Oh we got poisoned? Awesome! Oh we live next to a mental hospital? Awesome! Oh we don't have any real life responsibilities and somehow just make bank all the time? Awesome! (Oh that would be awesome, but it's so unrealistic). They were too happy and too boring. The villains were way too typical and just evil for no reason. Boring! The whole thing was relatively boring because it was all happy, happy, happy.
April 12, 2020
I read this many years ago, and it's quirky and fun, full of eccentrics and there was never any doubt that it would end happily (though a couple of characters would pretty much stop at nothing to change that). I'm not sure now if this is really a kids' book, though--the characters are adults, and the first part of the book is rather long and doesn't get to the "action" for quite a while. I really enjoyed it, but I'm not sure if kids would stick with it.
February 10, 2020
Love among the walnuts is a great book that seems mostly unknown. It is about a married couple who are so happy together that they own a house in the middle of nowhere, but they love it since they can stay there forever and never leave. However, some of their relatives want their fortune so they try to poison them with a birthday cake. It is a nice twist on fairytales and i thoroughly enjoyed it.
April 3, 2022
Random but I remembered this book in a dream last night and can’t believe it isn’t more popular on GR. I LOVED this book as a kid. Whimsical screwball comedy with a big heart. I worry it might not hold up since there are some neurodivergent characters and I’m not if they are written with enough sensitivity. MUST RETREAD.
February 2, 2018
Quite frankly one of my favorite books of all time. Imagination, murder, and a capsule of hope in the bounds of the pages Ferris writes in. Yes, it may not be the world we live in, but it is one I want to.
January 16, 2019
Love among the walnuts was one of the best books i've ever read. As simple as the story was it was full of comedy and mystery. The book never got boring and always kept me in attention. I loved the amount of characters in the book as well. I strongly recommend this book to somebody who likes books.
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