The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (Flavia de Luce, #1) in Crazy Challenge Connection

Dec 15, 2016 Susan rated it did not like it

Shelves: 2016, historical-fiction, cozy-reads, mystery

I really, really, really wanted to like this book. Unfortunately, I really did not. I have no intention whatsoever to read the next book, or any other book, in the series and am a bit sorry that I read to the end of this one.

The idea of a precocious, scientifically-mind girl for protagonist is wonderful. Unfortunately, Bradley seemed to assume that the reader was far from intelligent; the writing was so heavy-handed that even the most oblivious of readers would need to understand that 'Flavia i I really, really, really wanted to like this book. Unfortunately, I really did not. I have no intention whatsoever to read the next book, or any other book, in the series and am a bit sorry that I read to the end of this one.

The idea of a precocious, scientifically-mind girl for protagonist is wonderful. Unfortunately, Bradley seemed to assume that the reader was far from intelligent; the writing was so heavy-handed that even the most oblivious of readers would need to understand that 'Flavia is really smart, really unique, and really enjoys science, especially poisons'.

Flavia is also completely unlikeable. Her affect is completely limited. At first, I was hoping that perhaps Bradley was laying the ground work for a character who was on the Asperger's - autism scale. 'Imagine', I thought, 'how exciting that would be to have a brilliant little girl who thinks in a way that is a little different than the neuro-typicals but uses these characteristics to her advantage in solving mysteries'.

Alas, I was far too optimistic. The more I read the more I realized this character was about as far from the Asperger's - autism scale as you can get. Instead, she seems to fall squarely in the cluster-B personality disorders. Far from exciting, I found that idea, and this character supremely creepy. Flavia reads as if she has anti-social personality disorder (formerly known as the sociopaths and psychopaths). Aside from the fact that her emotions seem to be limited to anger, fear, and delight in taking advantage of others, she is a liar, proud of ability to lie and doing so both for supposed 'necessity' as well as her own amusement and entertainment. She also finds amusement from torturing her sisters and manipulating everyone around her, all the while crowing about how much more intelligent she is than those around her... UGH!, UGH!, UGH!!

I have to say that it is no surprise if this child does turn out to be a sociopath (you cannot actually call an 11 year old one). Her family is just as horrible as she is. The whole lot of them are at best neglectful and more often actively abusive toward one another. There never seems to be much of a point to it other than to just have created a bunch of disgusting, horrible characters who have nothing better to do with their time than to sit around pursuing their hobbies, and being as horrid as possible to one another. After reading this book I feel like I need to do a spiritual cleanse to rid myself of the ugliness of this book and these characters.

OK! At first I gave this book a generous two stars. However, in writing this review I realized that I cannot give two stars after all. A two-star rating is for 'It's OK.' I did not like this book, and that, on the GR scale, is a one-star rating so one star it is. UGH! I am going off to do my cleanse now... ...more

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Jul 25, 2017 ☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ rated it really liked it

Shelves: z-tt5, z-2017-reads, mystery, young-adult, fiction

Flavia is a fun and interesting character. She's also pretty smart for her age but as any young teen she is nosy and gets herself it a bit of trouble and the banter between her and her sister is also funny. An enjoyable start to the series. ...more

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Mar 29, 2020 Angie ☯ rated it liked it · review of another edition

Flavia is definitely a different character, despite her quirkiness, she is fun and entertaining. She is wise beyond her 11 years. She is a science nerd and an amateur sleuth, but she still fights with her older sisters. The banter between the sisters is funny.

I would continue with the series.

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