A Pack of Lies: Twelve Stories in One

Rating:
Summary: Criminally underappreciated!
Review: Anyone who enjoys young adult fantasy, particularly that of Diana Wynne Jones, would be advised to hunt down this tiny gem of a novel. It can also be appreciated by those who do not like fantasy but simply enjoy intelligent Young Adult novels, such as Ellen Raskin's "The Westing Game." Someone appreciated it at one time, for it won the Carnegie Medal, and why it is out of print now is a mystery. "A Pack of Lies" is almost flawless on every level: the characters are real, the writing deft and the plotting perfect. Most of all, it is incredibly original, standing completely on its own.

"A Pack of Lies" is not obviously fantasy--the setting is contemporary, and "magic" per se does not exist in any tangible form. It is referred to as being "twelve stories in one" because the book comprises twelve stories within the main plotline. Part of the author's genius is that each story has its own distinctive style, each suited for the atmosphere and setting of that particular story. The tales range from lighthearted to moving to downright sinister, and each has its place within the main story as a whole, like gems in a beautiful setting. There are a couple of weak ones, like the "horror" story and the poem, which some might find a disappointing replacement for a story. But these are more than made up for by the others; each is lovely in its own unique way.

The book is also worth reading for the wonderful characters, who capture the reader's emotions despite the short space they have been alotted. The connection one feels by the end is what makes the ending so climactic...and of course I won't give it away.

What I so admire about this author is that she conceived a brilliant idea, went with it, and succeeded better than most writers ever could have. It is a shame that she has not written any other books, and equally a shame that this masterwork of hers has not earned the public recognition it deserves.

Rating:
Summary: Enchanting! Wonderful! WHY is it out of print??!!
Review: This book has won the Carnegie medal and is one of my favorite books of all time. A young man comes to work in the main character's mother's antique shop. Whenever a customer comes in he gets them to buy something by telling a story about it. Then he charges them a huge price for it and the customer just has to buy it!! In this way he helps get the antique store back in business. The stories are fascinating and creepy. They are just lies, but now they seem to be coming true... Then there is a great surprise ending. All in all it is one of the best young adult books ever written! Read it! Being out of print does NOT mean it's no good. It means that there is injustice in the publishing business. Read it and find out why. Just take The Silver Crown by Robert C. O'Brien for another example. I am 14 years old. Everyone over the age of 12 should read it.