Review of The Greenhouse
Posted: 17 Jun 2023, 10:19
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Greenhouse" by fabian grant.]
The insect kingdom had recently faced a calamity that resulted in a significant loss of their stored food reserves. They diligently collected and stored provisions in designated areas for the winter season. However, their efforts were thwarted when water flooded their plant pot, causing extensive damage to their homes and food supplies. Tragically, some of their fellow insects also lost their lives in the incident. The leaders of the community grew deeply concerned, recognizing the imminent danger of starvation if they failed to devise a plan to secure sufficient food for the approaching winter with its snowy landscapes and freezing temperatures. Ralf, who had always been captivated by the greenhouse, conveyed his idea to Nathan, the leader of the ants. After thorough consideration, Nathan made the bold choice to communicate the mission concerning the greenhouse to the rest of the insects. However, they were well aware that this endeavor came with great peril, as Mr. Johnson, the owner of the greenhouse, took the security of his plants and vegetables very seriously. He employed various measures to ensure that no animals or insects could infiltrate the greenhouse premises.
One positive aspect that stood out to me in the book was the portrayal of admirable qualities in leaders like Nathan. He exhibited kindness, care, and a genuine concern for the well-being of all the insects. Unlike other leaders, who were driven by selfishness and greed, Nathan made decisions with the greater good in mind. Additionally, he demonstrated hard work and resilience in challenging times. This was in stark contrast to the worm leader, William, who displayed foolish behavior and a thirst for power, coupled with laziness.
On the other hand, there were several negative aspects of the book that I found troubling. The narration of the main human character, Mr. Johnson, having an extramarital relationship, comes in first on my list. I strongly disagree with the storyline of a married person having an affair, particularly in a children's book. I'm not sure what message the author intended to send to young readers through this particular plot. Furthermore, Mr. Johnson is portrayed as a nasty character with vile behavior, including smoking, whereas his wife is portrayed as hardworking and enduring his mistreatment. In my opinion, Mr. Johnson's cruelty to his wife, as well as the scene in which he discarded his soiled briefs for her to wash, were particularly distressing and unnecessary. I didn't find the drawings in the book appealing. They appeared hasty and lacked attention to detail. They failed to effectively depict the characters as intended. Additionally, I felt that certain scenes in the story were excessively described, such as the race between Ralf and Patrick. Instead of dedicating numerous pages to it, a brief description would have sufficed. I was also puzzled by the inclusion of some scenes between Mr. Johnson and his 'lady friend' in the story. These scenes did not seem to contribute to the overall plot, and I found their presence unexpected for a children’s book. (i.e., "We should go away together. Spend a whole week away abroad," lusted Mr. Johnson.) This was followed by their indulgence in drinking lots of champagne. I found this aspect of the story confusing, as it seemed inappropriate for young readers.
I would give the book a rating of 2 out of 5 stars. I found certain aspects of the book inappropriate for a children's book, and I believe the author could do a better job. As for the editing of the book, I did come across a few grammatical errors, but they weren't significant enough to distract me from the overall content. I deducted three stars from my rating of the book due to the various negative aspects I found.
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The Greenhouse
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The insect kingdom had recently faced a calamity that resulted in a significant loss of their stored food reserves. They diligently collected and stored provisions in designated areas for the winter season. However, their efforts were thwarted when water flooded their plant pot, causing extensive damage to their homes and food supplies. Tragically, some of their fellow insects also lost their lives in the incident. The leaders of the community grew deeply concerned, recognizing the imminent danger of starvation if they failed to devise a plan to secure sufficient food for the approaching winter with its snowy landscapes and freezing temperatures. Ralf, who had always been captivated by the greenhouse, conveyed his idea to Nathan, the leader of the ants. After thorough consideration, Nathan made the bold choice to communicate the mission concerning the greenhouse to the rest of the insects. However, they were well aware that this endeavor came with great peril, as Mr. Johnson, the owner of the greenhouse, took the security of his plants and vegetables very seriously. He employed various measures to ensure that no animals or insects could infiltrate the greenhouse premises.
One positive aspect that stood out to me in the book was the portrayal of admirable qualities in leaders like Nathan. He exhibited kindness, care, and a genuine concern for the well-being of all the insects. Unlike other leaders, who were driven by selfishness and greed, Nathan made decisions with the greater good in mind. Additionally, he demonstrated hard work and resilience in challenging times. This was in stark contrast to the worm leader, William, who displayed foolish behavior and a thirst for power, coupled with laziness.
On the other hand, there were several negative aspects of the book that I found troubling. The narration of the main human character, Mr. Johnson, having an extramarital relationship, comes in first on my list. I strongly disagree with the storyline of a married person having an affair, particularly in a children's book. I'm not sure what message the author intended to send to young readers through this particular plot. Furthermore, Mr. Johnson is portrayed as a nasty character with vile behavior, including smoking, whereas his wife is portrayed as hardworking and enduring his mistreatment. In my opinion, Mr. Johnson's cruelty to his wife, as well as the scene in which he discarded his soiled briefs for her to wash, were particularly distressing and unnecessary. I didn't find the drawings in the book appealing. They appeared hasty and lacked attention to detail. They failed to effectively depict the characters as intended. Additionally, I felt that certain scenes in the story were excessively described, such as the race between Ralf and Patrick. Instead of dedicating numerous pages to it, a brief description would have sufficed. I was also puzzled by the inclusion of some scenes between Mr. Johnson and his 'lady friend' in the story. These scenes did not seem to contribute to the overall plot, and I found their presence unexpected for a children’s book. (i.e., "We should go away together. Spend a whole week away abroad," lusted Mr. Johnson.) This was followed by their indulgence in drinking lots of champagne. I found this aspect of the story confusing, as it seemed inappropriate for young readers.
I would give the book a rating of 2 out of 5 stars. I found certain aspects of the book inappropriate for a children's book, and I believe the author could do a better job. As for the editing of the book, I did come across a few grammatical errors, but they weren't significant enough to distract me from the overall content. I deducted three stars from my rating of the book due to the various negative aspects I found.
******
The Greenhouse
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon