The
More the Merrier by
Anne Fine
Published by Doubleday, 2003
ISBN 0385606184
Reviewed by Shannon Children’s Book Club
It’s
Christmas time and the Mountfield house is full to bursting with
assorted relatives, including Great Granny who threatens “If
I had my own teeth I’d bite you”, Uncle Tristram who
gives wrapped up half bricks as presents and spoilt cousin Titania
who dresses in frilly fairy dresses and sings cutsie, sick making
songs.
This
story is told by young Ralph Mountfield who has been grounded in
his room for causing a huge family fight. Following on from a disastrous
Christmas Day dinner and a near riot at present opening, Mum is
hiding in her room and making Dad promise to take her away to the
Seychelles next Christmas.
However,
there is happy ending when insulted relatives flounce off in anger
leaving Mum, Dad, Ralph and his brother along with Uncle Tristram
and Great Granny to enjoy what’s left of Christmas.
This
was an easy to read and a very funny (pay close attention to the
boys’ Christmas lists!) book. We learned from the Anne Fine
website (www.annefine.co.uk) that the author doesn’t like
Christmas and it shows. She writes that in this book she “peels
back the nice surfaces of family life and shows what’s underneath”.
We really liked this book and gave it a rating of 8 out of 10.
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