Mennyms Alive

Mennyms #5

by Sylvia Waugh

The fifth and final volume of the series featuring the Mennyms, a family of life-sized rag dolls, finds the clan bereft of their life force, except for Soobie, the blue Mennym, who prays his family will live again.

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Science Fiction Fantasy, British Literature

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Sylvia Waugh (sounds like "cough") was born in Gateshead, County Durham -there was no Tyne & Wear till 1974- in Northern England in 1935. Having worked full-time as a grammar teacher for seventeen years, Waugh began her writing career in her late forties, after her three children were grown. In 1993, she published her first book, The Mennyms, which eventually evolved into an entire series. Ms. Waugh said in an "Entertainment Weekly," interview with Lois Alter Mark, "I created the Mennyms because the world is too cynical, too lacking in magic. People with dreams are an endangered species, and I wanted to write for them. I don't want the nastiness-the stuff I see on TV." Since completing her "Mennyms" books, Waugh has continued her focus, as "Horn Book" contributor Martha V. Parravano noted, on "what it means to be human by exploring the lives of those who are not."

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps 4 stars for this book but 5 stars for the series. We grew to love this family, the characters are so distinct. Read as a read aloud this was perfect, for those who love developing a voice for each character,this was ideal. By book 5 these characters were real 3D people to us.

We were fascinated to see where this series would go and it kept us guessing up until the last moment. We loved the mystery of what was actually happening and what involvement Aunt Kate actually had.

There was some great humour in this book, we loved Magnus' taxi ride and Appleby provided much humour and a great character.

There was an interesting bringing together of plots, we were glad to have a link with the Billy storyline but felt sad that the family didn't do more to thank Aunt Daisy, we wanted them to invite her to their new place, it felt sad deserting her just before Christmas after all she had done.

We were disappointed an ideal opportunity was missed why did Paddy Black not come alive? We were certain this would happen and felt it was a huge missed opportunity not to create a dog out of some furry material and through love and believing them real they come alive

We also thought there could have been some interesting twists and turns we were hoping there might be other rag dolls somewhere, surely they can't be the only ones? We wondered if they would become more human until one day they would discover that they were, and perhaps the humans would start to become rag dolls. Would the two 'Betty' dolls in the shop become sentient one day and enable Aunt Daisy to live on? We liked that this story made us think of more questions than answers.

One element that we really enjoyed in this series was the idea of 'pretends' these are actions that they pretend to enjoy but don't actually experience. A pretend mug of tea, a pretend special meal or putting a hand on an aching back when mowing the lawn. Although at first these seemed silly and even some of the Mennyms found them so, we began to realize the importance of a pretend and began to spot some of them ourselves in the real world. It's become a regularly used word in our vocabulary.

It felt like there would be an end message to the series, an explanation of why these rag dolls became sentient beings. It felt as though this was answered on the last page which stated Daisy understood the secret of the Mennyms. Although the story didn't spell out the secret, I took it to mean the mennyms became alive because they were loved, loving something makes the something live, and we live on in those we love?

There were some great philosophical quotes in this book which I had hoped to add, looks as though the markers have fallen out of the book so will have to add these on a reread.

[Shoshanah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this series over and over throughout middle and high school, but it wasn't till I was in college that I even knew this final book existed. I still remember my sophomore year of college when my mom it for me for my birthday. I was so excited that I could finally finish this series.

I know I mentioned in my post about the last Mennyms book that it was different from all the rest. While that is still true, this 5th and final book, while similar to the 4th, is once again completely different. Without giving too much away the Mennyms are in a completely different place and dealing with issues they've never thought about before. Plus like the book preceding this isn't entirely told from the Mennyms perspective.

One reason I never even thought to look for this book earlier is that the 4th book feels so final. Yes, it ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but one that makes sense. Instead this one not only feels final but wraps up all the loose ends. I would still love another book on the Mennyms to check in with them and see what they're up to now, except in a way that would kind of defeat this purpose of its ending.

I'm so glad I took the time to reread this favorite series of mine, and it gets me excited about rereading some of my other favorites. There's the obvious choices, at least to me, of the Betsy-Tacy Series, The Little House series, or Anne of Green Gables, but there's a few slightly less obvious ones like the Alanna Series, The Indian in the Cupboard series, or The Face on the Milk Carton series. So I guess you'll just have to wait and see which one I turn to next!

[Jannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ive been rereading the entire series, ever since my child had discovered he could rip my books I have rediscovered my love for them lol.
Anyhow it was all new again very fun and this was quite enjoyable. There is always a air of comfort in these books and yet the story was never boring or predictable.
The Mennyms are 'characters' each in their own right clear personalities and rather a likeable bunch dispite their unlikable characteristics (Appleby is a horrible brat, Vinetta gives in way too much, Tulip is bossy and waspish, Magnus is a tyrant, the others arent so bad but you get the gist).
This closes their story in a nice bow and free hopefully from the fear that has threatened them for the last few years.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I shall miss the Mennyms, as frustrating as they can be! I understand why the book ended from the perspective of Daisy and Billy--the Mennyms have left all of us, and we must assume they will be fine. But I would've liked a scene of the Mennyms in their new house.

I am someone who values living an open life, of reaching out to those who care about me. I wish the Mennyms had felt free to be themselves around Daisy. Honestly, it was not relatable to me that Daisy preferred not knowing too, even though she knew. I shared Billy's reaction more. I'd want them to speak to me.

If someone loves me, why would I not want to share my whole self with them? Why keep living the same isolated life? But this is a reflection of the journey I'm on, which maybe is way too deep for this series. And also, I am not a lifesize ragdoll. I might feel differently if I was.

[Sheila Nielson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book in the Mennyms series. If only it weren't the last! I often find myself wondering what could have happened to the Mennyms afterwards.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fifth and final volume in the Mennyms series. It's a wonderful book full of excitement but also poignant and philosophical.

[Marie Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I reread this book recently and loved it just as much as before. The story of a family of life size rag dolls, their life together, their personalities and adventures in a world where they always have to keep their existence secret.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heaRtwarming series, worth the journey got better and better as it progressed.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this was a really lovely way to wrap up the series

[Pollymoore3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final volume, how sad! How one hopes they will actually become human, "alive" in that sense? But you will have to read it to find out.

[Noonie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just whimsically lovely 💕❤️

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A somewhat anticlimactic ending to the series, but a fun read anyhow.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series was enthralling throughout. Amazing stuff.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite as gloomy as the last couple entries but still sad .

I am surprised that it was addressed/the mention by Soobie that living forever is its own kind of punishment.

[Saya · Rating 5 out of 5]

(re-read)