John Bellairs Fanfiction Board

Ford_Prefect62 · Joined: 16 Feb 2005 Posts: 22 Location: Alabama (USA)

Previously I had mentioned that "The House with the Clock in the Walls" was my favorite Bellairs book. And it is still a terrific book. However, I have just recently finished "The Drum, the Doll and the Zombie" and I have to say this book was such a refreshing change of pace that I have to list it among my favorites. I'd come to expect gothic horror from Bellairs and Strickland, but this book pretty much turned everything on its ear as far as I'm concerned.

Rather than deal with wizards and ghosts, Johnny now has to confront a voodoo priestess (shaman / witch) and caribbean / Hatian / African legends. It does have a touch of Southern flavor to it (Voodoo being prevelant in New Orleans) which was nice as I live nearer to New Orleans than to Michigan.

I had to laugh when I read about Mama Sinesta's first appearance. If a film were being made of this book, I could envision Earth Kitt playing her role...purring out her dialogue in a sinister manner. Laughing

I think Strickland is a good writer, but I do wish he would hide things in the books a bit more carefully from now on. Did anyone not think that Todd staying so closely by Prof. Coot's hospital room practically scream 'TRAP'? I know these are kids' books, but C'mon! Rolling Eyes

Also, we had the same old thing with Fergie and Prof. Childermass ignoring the obvious and denying that anything weird was going on. How many times has Fergie confronted the supernatural now? And yet he bangs on a voodoo drum that a Prof. specializing in the occult and magic is telling him about? Puh-leeze! This is why these books have not had the sort of success the Harry Potter ones have. Its like with each new book, everyone gets a case of the stoopids. Rolling Eyes

I dont like Fergie anyway.

Also there was a significant plot development where Johhny's father asks him to move to Hotlanta with him. Johnny is afraid to go. Why? Because he was afraid that Southerners were still fighting the Civil War down there and he might not fit in becuase he's a Yank. Is he serious? I live in Alabama and I had to wonder if people from the north think we Southerners are fighting a war that ended 150 years ago! Sure, we have reinactments down here, but thats all they are. That's like Brits asking if Americans are still fighting the Revolutionary war since we still have reinactments. I mean...c'mon folks. Its just history...thats all. 99% of us are far more interested in good food, good music and college football. Laughing

I really question wheter Strickland (a Georgia native) wrote this part or whether the idea came from Bellairs.

Still, it was nice to see Bellairs and Strickland go in a totally different direction.
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Guest · Posted: Mon May 23, 2005 1:26 pm Post subject:

I really have to agree with you on this one,the points you raised are very humorous ones. Laughing

I loved this book quite alot.At first,when I checked it out I dreaded the thought of reading it because I thought it was going to be dumb.XD

Telly · Guest

I really have to agree with you on this one,the points you raised are very humorous ones.

I loved this book quite alot.At first,when I checked it out I dreaded the thought of reading it because I thought it was going to be dumb.XD

Ford_Prefect62 · Joined: 16 Feb 2005 Posts: 22 Location: Alabama (USA)

Telly · Joined: 23 May 2005 Posts: 17 Location: Alabama

That's a hard one...and I IS SLEEPY YA.*will respond tomorrow*
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Telly

vazuzu · Guest

Guest · Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 7:47 pm Post subject: Re: Fav Book