Antonio S and the Mystery of Theodore Guzman

by Odo Hirsch

226pages. 18x11x1cm. Poche.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, Young Adult

202 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Odo Hirsch was born and grew up in Melbourne, where he trained to be a doctor. He now lives in London and writes excellent books that are published not only in Australia but also in the US, UK, Netherlands, Korea, Germany, and Italy.

For more information, please see http://www.answers.com/topic/odo-hirsch

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as a kid and just finished reading it to my daughters over 20 years later. It had always sat in my mind as a really great book and re-reading it I discovered a wonderous thing. Without me being able to put the connection together this book has shaped me as a child into the adult I have become. I read and realised in this book lay some of the foundations of how I think on imagination and creativity, writing, reading, friendship, humour. I hadn’t remembered this book word for word but it’s words have been etched on my soul. And what wonderful etchings they are. Here’s to hoping my daughters can say the same one day.

[Dave Cornford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids and parents loved it as audio book while on a long driving holiday.

[Matthew Hodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by Australian author, Odo Hirsch, this is a very simple but nicely told tale of a young boy, Antonio S, who lives with his parents in an apartment block that is built in what used to be a Duke's palace. (I know, awesome, right?) His father is a professional stage magician and his mother is a professor.

But the story chiefly concerns Antonio's obsession with Mr Guzman, an old exceptionally well-dressed gentleman he sees around the grounds of the palace. Mr Guzman used to be a very famous actor back in the day. But he never talks to anyone and keeps himself to himself. Antonio comes up with a brainwave idea to meet the famous Mr Guzman - he'll get a bunch of friends together and perform a play on the grounds of the old building, in the hopes that Mr Guzman will attend.

This delicate fantasy unfolds at a solid but gentle pace, with plenty of ruminations on the art of creative writing, acting and the role of story-telling. I'll be honest, it's not an all-guns-blazing sort of story, so if your kids are particular, they're possibly not going to like this one. But if you want to give them the equivalent of a well-written literary novel, then this is worth a look.

[Alison Stegert · Rating 3 out of 5]

A student who knows I like books about mysterious old houses lent me this book. I would have enjoyed it more if were actually about old houses, but it was not. It was about the theatre and story, giving and bequeathing. There were lots of lovely, intriguing bits, for instance, about how creativity can be enhanced by the act of juggling and how acting is about seeing through others' eyes.

Despite all of the heart-warming bits, I kept thinking to myself, "Yeah, but what about the house?" The discovery of a secret passage in the first section begged to be followed up with more hidden doors and subterranean tunnels.

The book won the Children's Book Council of Australia Honour Book Award in 2000.

[katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Philip Pullman's blurb for this is 'Strange, delicate and delightful' and I think I agree. It's certainly delicate -- it's one of those hazy-sunlight-on-morning-dew stories, with an old fashioned feel that I love. The story's mostly about the wonder of creating stories. The characters are cute and not twee.

Basically, I should've loved this book but I didn't quite manage it. Odo Hirsch has a habit of using WAS all over the place -- I'm not sure if it's a passive/active voice thing or just his style but it's put me off all three of his later books that I've attempted.

So, four stars!

[Anna Krjatian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up with my classroom teacher - Mrs Gates (may she RIP) - reading us Odo Hirsch's book series on the adventures of Bartlett. I found this book (Antonio S and the Mystery of Theodore Guzman) in the library and absolutely fell in love with this book. Odo Hirsch is one of my top 10 authors from my childhood. I learnt so much about the human condition and psychology from reading his books. This book deserves all the accolades it has received and I recommend it as a children's book along with Hirsh's other books.

[Sandra Munro · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. About the middle of the book I thought it was headed for 3 stars, but it didn't quite rise to it afterall, which was a bit of a shame - some interesting elements and characters were in place but were never developed beyond the mundane. (eg secret passages in an old house - it could have been great!)

[Laura Bang · Rating 3 out of 5]

What ultimately ends up being the main thread of the story (theatre and the nature of storytelling) is a lovely story, but there were side threads that should have been explored more (old house with secret passages! the kids brought together by the play, etc.). Enjoyable, but it just felt a bit uneven to me.

[Alison Wootten · Rating 4 out of 5]

My second Odo Hirsch book. He creates such feisty, interesting little characters. The books are a delight to read. They provide some ... emotional? intellectual? respite between reading back to back 'grown up' books. It is nice to immerse yourself in the magic and issues of childhood whilst not lowering the quality of the writing.

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this one of, or the, best books I have ever read. It’s not my favourite, by far - there are many things I love way more than this. But there’s something that makes me think that this is one of the best books out there. It’s a short children’s novel, yet I feel certain that anyone would be touched by this heartwarming story and enjoy it immensely.

[Anton Mifsud · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good easy read. I liked the plot of the story. I think a lot of thought went into this book, as it waa carefully organized.

[Iman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Antoinio learns how to put on his own play, from the great Theodore Guzman.

A children's book, yet a nice read.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a child I was a big fan of Odo Hirsch. I remember finding this book heart warming

[Byron Bibliotherapy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Odd Hirsch never disappoints. In this book, he lovingly presents the power of the theatre, in its most raw form. As usual, kind, interested characters living in a quirky community.

[Desrae Faulkner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this book in my primary school years loved reading it to own child

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story of imagination, connection and passing on knowledge xxx

[Selma Felice · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delicate, lovely story that sends one back to childhood, to those days full of passion, creativity and imagination. It's like being held in a warm embrace!