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The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place #2
The Hidden Gallery
Of especially naughty children, it is sometimes said, "They must have been raised by wolves." The Incorrigible children actually were.
Thanks to the efforts of Miss Penelope Lumley, their plucky governess, Alexander, Beowulf, and Cassiopeia are much more like children than wolf pups now. They are accustomed to wearing clothes. They hardly ever howl at the moon. And for the most part, they resist the urge to chase squirrels up trees.
Despite Penelope's civilizing influence, the Incorrigibles still managed to ruin Lady Constance's Christmas ball, nearly destroying the grand house. So while Ashton Place is being restored, Penelope, the Ashtons, and the children take up residence in London. Penelope is thrilled, as London offers so many opportunities to further the education of her unique students.
But the city presents challenges, too, in the form of the palace guards' bearskin hats, which drive the children wild not to mention the abundance of pigeons the Incorrigibles love to hunt. As they explore London, however, they discover more about themselves as clues about the children's and Penelope's mysterious past crop up in the most unexpected ways.
Thanks to the efforts of Miss Penelope Lumley, their plucky governess, Alexander, Beowulf, and Cassiopeia are much more like children than wolf pups now. They are accustomed to wearing clothes. They hardly ever howl at the moon. And for the most part, they resist the urge to chase squirrels up trees.
Despite Penelope's civilizing influence, the Incorrigibles still managed to ruin Lady Constance's Christmas ball, nearly destroying the grand house. So while Ashton Place is being restored, Penelope, the Ashtons, and the children take up residence in London. Penelope is thrilled, as London offers so many opportunities to further the education of her unique students.
But the city presents challenges, too, in the form of the palace guards' bearskin hats, which drive the children wild not to mention the abundance of pigeons the Incorrigibles love to hunt. As they explore London, however, they discover more about themselves as clues about the children's and Penelope's mysterious past crop up in the most unexpected ways.
6 pages, Audiobook
First published April 1, 2010
263 people are currently reading
3993 people want to read
About the author
Maryrose Wood
22 books1,027 followersSending big hugs and loveawoo to all.
I'm so pleased to introduce you to my new book: Alice's Farm, A Rabbit’s Tale. In stores on September 1st; available for preorder now.
Alice is an eastern cottontail. Genus sylvagia, species floridanus. About three pounds full grown, if she makes it that far.
Life at the bottom of the food chain is no picnic! But that doesn’t worry Alice much. She's too busy doing all she can to save her beautiful farmland home—not just for herself, but for all the creatures of the valley between the hills.
Yup, all of ’em! Even that new family of farmers who just moved into the big red
house across the meadow. They don’t know much about farming, being from
the city. They mean well. But they’re easy pickins for the local apex predator (he's a real estate developer, in case you couldn't tell).
But Alice has a plan to help.
Rabbits helping farmers? That’s awfully unusual, isn’t it? Well, you're right
about that, young’un!
Let’s put it this way: Alice is no ordinary rabbit.
With loveawoo,
Maryrose
p.s. — If you could use a little extra pluck and optimism right now, please help yourself to THE SWANBURNE ACADEMY GUIDE TO SHELTERING IN PLACE.
You can download it right here:
www.swanburneacademy.com/freeguide
I'm so pleased to introduce you to my new book: Alice's Farm, A Rabbit’s Tale. In stores on September 1st; available for preorder now.
Alice is an eastern cottontail. Genus sylvagia, species floridanus. About three pounds full grown, if she makes it that far.
Life at the bottom of the food chain is no picnic! But that doesn’t worry Alice much. She's too busy doing all she can to save her beautiful farmland home—not just for herself, but for all the creatures of the valley between the hills.
Yup, all of ’em! Even that new family of farmers who just moved into the big red
house across the meadow. They don’t know much about farming, being from
the city. They mean well. But they’re easy pickins for the local apex predator (he's a real estate developer, in case you couldn't tell).
But Alice has a plan to help.
Rabbits helping farmers? That’s awfully unusual, isn’t it? Well, you're right
about that, young’un!
Let’s put it this way: Alice is no ordinary rabbit.
With loveawoo,
Maryrose
p.s. — If you could use a little extra pluck and optimism right now, please help yourself to THE SWANBURNE ACADEMY GUIDE TO SHELTERING IN PLACE.
You can download it right here:
www.swanburneacademy.com/freeguide
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,141 reviews
April 24, 2017
"Strange babies," the woman intoned. "Wolf babies! Be careful!" She tapped the card with her long crooked index finger. "The hunter is on the loose."
Well, this one was nowhere near as charming as the first book.
With Ashton Place in a state of disrepair after the disastrous Christmas ball, Lady Constance decides to temporarily relocate to London, where she hopes to take the city by storm. A tempest may indeed be brewing, as Miss Lumley and her Incorrigible charges are along for the trip. Urban temptations abound for a trio of children raised by wolves, not the least of which is the tasty pigeon-shaped snacks roaming the streets and parks. There are many educational outings, including a memorable trip to Buckingham Palace, and a visit to the British "Mew-eezum." We are introduced to Simon Harley-Dickson, a probable love interest for Miss Lumley. And speaking of that dear girl, she has an adventure on a runaway velocipede, and shares a tasty luncheon with her favorite teacher. Far from being a comfort, Miss Mortimer is behaving strangely, and fills the girl's head many unanswered questions.
Oh, dear.
The entire book answers none of the quandaries posed in the first volume, while tossing even more mysteries into the pot. So, though I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first story, I'll move on to number three. Inquiring minds just gotta know.
And, as Agatha Swanburne, founder of the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, cautions, "Time will tell, but only in hindsight, for time is not talking just yet."
Well, this one was nowhere near as charming as the first book.
With Ashton Place in a state of disrepair after the disastrous Christmas ball, Lady Constance decides to temporarily relocate to London, where she hopes to take the city by storm. A tempest may indeed be brewing, as Miss Lumley and her Incorrigible charges are along for the trip. Urban temptations abound for a trio of children raised by wolves, not the least of which is the tasty pigeon-shaped snacks roaming the streets and parks. There are many educational outings, including a memorable trip to Buckingham Palace, and a visit to the British "Mew-eezum." We are introduced to Simon Harley-Dickson, a probable love interest for Miss Lumley. And speaking of that dear girl, she has an adventure on a runaway velocipede, and shares a tasty luncheon with her favorite teacher. Far from being a comfort, Miss Mortimer is behaving strangely, and fills the girl's head many unanswered questions.
Oh, dear.
The entire book answers none of the quandaries posed in the first volume, while tossing even more mysteries into the pot. So, though I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first story, I'll move on to number three. Inquiring minds just gotta know.
And, as Agatha Swanburne, founder of the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, cautions, "Time will tell, but only in hindsight, for time is not talking just yet."
March 23, 2012
Sometimes surreal, often hilarious, this book made me laugh out loud in a crowded café, and I gobbled it all up with total delight. I love, love, love this series! The Incorrigibles are wonderful, and the mad zaniness of this whole book is just delicious.
It is such a pleasure to read such a funny series, with so much heart underneath the humor.
My favorite Swanburne-ism from this book: "As Agatha Swanburne once said, 'To be kept waiting is unfortunate, but to be kept waiting with nothing interesting to read is a tragedy of Greek proportions.'"
I am definitely a Swanburne girl wannabe!
It is such a pleasure to read such a funny series, with so much heart underneath the humor.
My favorite Swanburne-ism from this book: "As Agatha Swanburne once said, 'To be kept waiting is unfortunate, but to be kept waiting with nothing interesting to read is a tragedy of Greek proportions.'"
I am definitely a Swanburne girl wannabe!
August 3, 2020
Enjoyed another adventure with the Incorrigibles and Penelope and I loved the addition of Simon! I hope we see him in the next book too.
June 27, 2011
Although I like the writing of these books, there is something ultimately unsatisfying in the plot. I don't mind the mysterious referrals to hidden identities, etc. and the gradual revealing of clues to the past. But each book itself doesn't have a main plot or climax. The first one was "we had a Christmas party and things went terribly wrong." This book is basically "we went to London and things went terribly wrong, but we are becoming aware that something strange is going on behind the scenes." If you are going to write a series, that's fine - I love reading those. But at least make each book able to stand alone on its own plot. There is too much reference to the first book here, reminders of things that really don't matter to this story, as flimsy as it is. So I like the language these are written in, but actually both of these books could be combined, in my opinion. If you have a big point to make, at least be making smaller points along the way; don't keep dawdling with minor adventures hinting that there's a bigger adventure just ahead out of reach. Did this book have an editor?
July 22, 2016
These books are so cute!! I recommend the audio version. The reader is a brilliant actress and the British accent makes me want a cuppa tea while enjoying the story.
December 12, 2021
4.5 out of 5 stars
I really loved this book, for different reasons than I loved book one. Book one had such charm to it... this one does have that charm, but in a lesser degree. But this one has a new air of mystery and danger and intrigue that I really, really loved. The overall story was very interesting. The most notable features of this book are a new primary character who I was delighted to get to know and a handful of more intriguing questions... and possible answers. We certainly have quite the tangled mystery here...
To my utter dismay, this book began to lean into the supernatural. It introduces a fortune-teller character, who, while a very minor character, seems to play an important role. I would be completely fine with this if her powers were portrayed as being false, but the book definately seemed to be implying that she had true occultist power, which I'm not a fan of, especially in a middle-grade book like this. I don't want to read about witchcraft or that nonsense.
And, last but not least, I must mention the priceless art of Jon Klassen that adorns this books covers and interior pages. Jon Klassen is my favorite artist, and his artwork for this series matches the text beautifully. Just look at that cover! Perfectly marvelous!
I really loved this book, for different reasons than I loved book one. Book one had such charm to it... this one does have that charm, but in a lesser degree. But this one has a new air of mystery and danger and intrigue that I really, really loved. The overall story was very interesting. The most notable features of this book are a new primary character who I was delighted to get to know and a handful of more intriguing questions... and possible answers. We certainly have quite the tangled mystery here...
To my utter dismay, this book began to lean into the supernatural. It introduces a fortune-teller character, who, while a very minor character, seems to play an important role. I would be completely fine with this if her powers were portrayed as being false, but the book definately seemed to be implying that she had true occultist power, which I'm not a fan of, especially in a middle-grade book like this. I don't want to read about witchcraft or that nonsense.
And, last but not least, I must mention the priceless art of Jon Klassen that adorns this books covers and interior pages. Jon Klassen is my favorite artist, and his artwork for this series matches the text beautifully. Just look at that cover! Perfectly marvelous!
January 3, 2022
Back to Incorrigible Children. Now they are off to London for a new adventure. There they meet a new friend, which Penelope is really found of. There they start to find small pieces of who they are and also find other who are really interested in them. Will they ever discover who they really are and does Miss Penelope have something to do with it? This story is beautiful and so much fun. No matter what your age is you will absolutely fall in love with Miss Penelope and the Incorrigible children, so go ahead and have a wonderful read!!
June 7, 2023
While it is fairly obvious what’s going on here, and little of the mystery is solved in each book, it’s still an absolute joy to read.
November 7, 2012
There is an undeniable charm about Maryrose Wood's odd tales of the three Incorrigible children who were literally raised by wolves until they were rescued by a wealthy British lord Frederick Ashton and placed under the loving if sometimes flustered care of Miss Penelope Lumley, lately graduated from Swanbourne Academy for Poor Bright Females. I love the quirky humor, the witty wisdom from all those Agatha Swanbourne quotes, and Penelope's vibrant spirit. The Victoriana is a delight, too.
This installment finds the children and Penelope in London, with a Hixby's guide book that doesn't seem to have very helpful directions to anything--except a mysterious hidden gallery!--and which some nefarious persons would like to get their hands on. There are odd warnings from gypsy women involving a "hunt," and the charming attentions of a handsome young man who befriends Penelope and the children in an hour of need, and then the taxing tasks of trying to keep the children from climbing up the palace guards (those tall fur hats! why they look like bears!) and running wild in the London Zoo. And why, oh why, is Lord Ashton so obsessed with his almanac and the cycles of the moon?
As much as I smiled my way through the book, I did find the constant "wolf-talk" of the children a bit grating at times. And I found it grossly unfair that Penelope solves a mystery at the end but the author doesn't let the readers in on it. Of course, I thought smugly (I'll admit it) to myself, *I* solved that particular "mystery" at the end of the first book--but perhaps younger readers would still be a bit baffled. Still, on the whole it's a charming read and I will probably seek out the next book to finish the series and see if I really am right about that mystery!
This installment finds the children and Penelope in London, with a Hixby's guide book that doesn't seem to have very helpful directions to anything--except a mysterious hidden gallery!--and which some nefarious persons would like to get their hands on. There are odd warnings from gypsy women involving a "hunt," and the charming attentions of a handsome young man who befriends Penelope and the children in an hour of need, and then the taxing tasks of trying to keep the children from climbing up the palace guards (those tall fur hats! why they look like bears!) and running wild in the London Zoo. And why, oh why, is Lord Ashton so obsessed with his almanac and the cycles of the moon?
As much as I smiled my way through the book, I did find the constant "wolf-talk" of the children a bit grating at times. And I found it grossly unfair that Penelope solves a mystery at the end but the author doesn't let the readers in on it. Of course, I thought smugly (I'll admit it) to myself, *I* solved that particular "mystery" at the end of the first book--but perhaps younger readers would still be a bit baffled. Still, on the whole it's a charming read and I will probably seek out the next book to finish the series and see if I really am right about that mystery!
December 4, 2015
Two books in, and I'm still enjoying this series. I like the characters, especially Penelope, a lot, I'm interested by the central mystery, and I really like the narrator on the audiobooks. This is one of the best uses of a Lemony Snicket style narrator outside A Series of Unfortunate Events, which makes me very happy. And yet I'm started to feel slightly frustrated with the pace that central mystery is unfolding at. It's going very, very slowly, so much so that I'm starting to think that there isn't really enough mystery to support six books. And outside of that central mystery, there really isn't much plot to speak of. If it weren't for liking the characters so much, I doubt I'd get through this series. And yet, I continue, and I hope I won't be terribly disappointed in the end.
March 20, 2018
A solid continuation of the saga of the Incorrigibles. Governess Penelope Lumley finds herself exploring London with her charges coming up with more questions than answers. She meets a new friend in the young budding playwright Simon Harley-Dickinson. We also are beginning to suspect that Lord Ashton's absences seem to be related to the full moon. Hmmm. And why does the painting Penelope sees in the museum gallery seventeen, Overuse of Symbolism in Minor Historical Portraits look so familiar? Very much as described: Jane Eyre meets Lemony Snicket. Lady Contance's diatribe on the shortcomings of the poor was one of my favorite passages.
January 13, 2019
A nice second to a series. The kids are back with their intrepid governess and in London to shake things up for polite society and learn some more pieces in the story of our heroine and her charges.
Lady Astor is about as difficult an individual as one ever hopes to meet and finds London doesn’t quite suit her idea of things.
The mysteries deepen with each new clue and the entertainment factor is high. I shall keep reading this series.
Lady Astor is about as difficult an individual as one ever hopes to meet and finds London doesn’t quite suit her idea of things.
The mysteries deepen with each new clue and the entertainment factor is high. I shall keep reading this series.
January 10, 2011
One Sentence Review: A stellar sequel in a great series though it does maddeningly create more questions than it answers.
June 28, 2022
Rating: 2.7 / 5
*yawns* Okay, two problems with this book.
One, it's boring. I had to DNF it at 226 pages, which is most of the book, because by that point even though I didn't see where the story was going, I also realized that I just didn't care. This was a book that I should have breezed through, and yet it seemed to drag on, and on, and on, until the point that I just didn't care about the plot anymore.
And two, the plot itself is just....not really there.
Like, you know how there are TV shows that have some plot progression in some episodes but most of the episodes are just filler?
Yeeeeah, this is like that.
At the beginning, it starts off strong, with the same charm as the first book. I was surprised that everyone was going to change location and go to London, but I thought, "okay, nice change".
Except that...the plot kinda stalls after they first arrived in London and met a mysterious old woman who told the "the hunt is on". If it is, then it's the slooooooowest, most unproductive hunt ever. Everything after that is just a series of episodic weird stuff happening, with a bunch of explanations inserted by the author in a way that makes it obvious that she's trying to be Lemony Snicket.
Except that when Snicket gave us explanations of definitions or references to something outside the story, they were interesting and super relevant to what the Beaudelaires were going through.
In THIS book, you could honestly edit those out and lose absolutely NOTHING from the plot.
Ahem, again, because there isn't much of a plot.
Like, at the beginning, there are some new mysteries included, with tie-ins of different plot points that the author keeps hinting at, but that is never revealed.
My response? --> "Oh, that's good! That's the way to build suspense, good show!"
Except that as you read on, and on, and on, those plot points and mysteries are never developed or unraveled, or really even give any hints to helping you solve matters. I feel like the author had good ideas geared up, but then she got it into her head that she ought to hold off on any reveals for as long as possible. This would be fine, except that she doesn't really have anything for her characters to go in the meantime, she so she wastes both their time and ours.
Sorry to stop this series so soon, and especially DNF a book when I got over halfway through it, but there comes a time when I just can't put myself through something anymore, and so I will willingly dump a book before torturing myself with it further just for the sake of finishing it.
Alas, not worth it.
*yawns* Okay, two problems with this book.
One, it's boring. I had to DNF it at 226 pages, which is most of the book, because by that point even though I didn't see where the story was going, I also realized that I just didn't care. This was a book that I should have breezed through, and yet it seemed to drag on, and on, and on, until the point that I just didn't care about the plot anymore.
And two, the plot itself is just....not really there.
Like, you know how there are TV shows that have some plot progression in some episodes but most of the episodes are just filler?
Yeeeeah, this is like that.
At the beginning, it starts off strong, with the same charm as the first book. I was surprised that everyone was going to change location and go to London, but I thought, "okay, nice change".
Except that...the plot kinda stalls after they first arrived in London and met a mysterious old woman who told the "the hunt is on". If it is, then it's the slooooooowest, most unproductive hunt ever. Everything after that is just a series of episodic weird stuff happening, with a bunch of explanations inserted by the author in a way that makes it obvious that she's trying to be Lemony Snicket.
Except that when Snicket gave us explanations of definitions or references to something outside the story, they were interesting and super relevant to what the Beaudelaires were going through.
In THIS book, you could honestly edit those out and lose absolutely NOTHING from the plot.
Ahem, again, because there isn't much of a plot.
Like, at the beginning, there are some new mysteries included, with tie-ins of different plot points that the author keeps hinting at, but that is never revealed.
My response? --> "Oh, that's good! That's the way to build suspense, good show!"
Except that as you read on, and on, and on, those plot points and mysteries are never developed or unraveled, or really even give any hints to helping you solve matters. I feel like the author had good ideas geared up, but then she got it into her head that she ought to hold off on any reveals for as long as possible. This would be fine, except that she doesn't really have anything for her characters to go in the meantime, she so she wastes both their time and ours.
Sorry to stop this series so soon, and especially DNF a book when I got over halfway through it, but there comes a time when I just can't put myself through something anymore, and so I will willingly dump a book before torturing myself with it further just for the sake of finishing it.
Alas, not worth it.
August 29, 2023
Great book for kids of all ages
January 6, 2020
I CANNOT GET ENOUGH OF THIS SERIES. If you mixed the style of Series of Unfortunate Events with the spirit of Anne of Green Gables and the setting of Jane Eyre, with a good bit of British wit and humor thrown in for good measure, the Incorrigibles are what you'd get.
Also would 10/10 recommend the audiobooks read by Katherine Kellgren, she is a genius!
Also would 10/10 recommend the audiobooks read by Katherine Kellgren, she is a genius!
March 31, 2019
A lot of fun. The mysteries in this series unfold very slowly but it's pleasant reading (or, in our case listening) so I don't mind.
December 1, 2019
Due to the author's craft and the slow-moving plot of the book "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood, I have decided to give up completing it.
I found the characters unappealing. I first decided to pick up the book due to an introduction of werewolf children in the blurb and their struggle to adapt to the norms of human society. However, upon reading the book, I found that the "wolf children" were quite like normal children apart from their lacking ability to speak and their urges to chase squirrels up trees. Due to their inability to comprehend human languages, I didn't get to see much of their personalities apart from their playful sides when chasing creatures. This made the characters less memorable for me. Penelope and Lady Constance, who somehow possessed the ability to speak when her children didn't and weren't taught to, narrated the story in too formal and calm a way that caused me to interpret events differently than the author. This in turn, muddled up events for me and made the book less enjoyable.
For those who thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, I just simply didn't see or feel what you did during "The Hidden Gallery".
I found the characters unappealing. I first decided to pick up the book due to an introduction of werewolf children in the blurb and their struggle to adapt to the norms of human society. However, upon reading the book, I found that the "wolf children" were quite like normal children apart from their lacking ability to speak and their urges to chase squirrels up trees. Due to their inability to comprehend human languages, I didn't get to see much of their personalities apart from their playful sides when chasing creatures. This made the characters less memorable for me. Penelope and Lady Constance, who somehow possessed the ability to speak when her children didn't and weren't taught to, narrated the story in too formal and calm a way that caused me to interpret events differently than the author. This in turn, muddled up events for me and made the book less enjoyable.
For those who thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, I just simply didn't see or feel what you did during "The Hidden Gallery".
April 11, 2017
Picking up shortly after the events of The Mysterious Howling, indefatiguable teenage governess Penelope Lumley is back, along with her charges, Alexander, Beowulf, and Casseopia Incorrigible, three siblings who were actually (probably) raised by wolves. Also back is Nutsawoo, the squirrel that Casseopia unexpectedly adopted as a pet after he crashed Lady Constance's Christmas party. When the human inhabitants of Ashton place are packed off to London during estate repairs, poor little Nutsawoo is left behind.
“Of course we will send postcards to Nutsawoo. And we shall bring him back a present as well. In fact,' she went on, with the instinctive knack every good governess has for turning something enjoyable into a lesson, and vice versa, 'I will expect all three of you to practice your writing by keeping a journal of our trip so that Nutsawoo may know how we spend our days. Why, by the time we return, he will think he has been to London himself! He will be the envy of all his little squirrel friends,' she declared.
Penelope had no way of knowing if this last statement was true. Could squirrels feel envy? Would they give two figs about London? Did Nutsawoo even have friends?”
While Penelope attempts to make the children's (and, indeed, her own) first trip to London educational and culturally enriching, strange events continue to follow the quartet, including a creepy warning from a mysterious gypsy woman, a guidebook that is often less than helpful, a confusing encounter with Penelope's former headmistress and more strange behavior from Lord Ashton. More questions than clues regarding the Incorrigibles' origins (as well as Penelope's) pile up, with no real answers, but since this is only the second of six books, I'll assume that all the mysteries will eventually be solved.
In the meantime, I'll be satisfied with charming passages like this:
“Nowadays, people resort to all kinds of activities in order to calm themselves after a stressful event: performing yoga poses in a sauna, leaping off bridges while tied to a bungee, killing imaginary zombies with imaginary weapons, and so forth. But in Miss Penelope Lumley's day, it was universally understood that there is nothing like a nice cup of tea to settle one's nerves in the aftermath of an adventure- a practice many would find well worth reviving.”
“Of course we will send postcards to Nutsawoo. And we shall bring him back a present as well. In fact,' she went on, with the instinctive knack every good governess has for turning something enjoyable into a lesson, and vice versa, 'I will expect all three of you to practice your writing by keeping a journal of our trip so that Nutsawoo may know how we spend our days. Why, by the time we return, he will think he has been to London himself! He will be the envy of all his little squirrel friends,' she declared.
Penelope had no way of knowing if this last statement was true. Could squirrels feel envy? Would they give two figs about London? Did Nutsawoo even have friends?”
While Penelope attempts to make the children's (and, indeed, her own) first trip to London educational and culturally enriching, strange events continue to follow the quartet, including a creepy warning from a mysterious gypsy woman, a guidebook that is often less than helpful, a confusing encounter with Penelope's former headmistress and more strange behavior from Lord Ashton. More questions than clues regarding the Incorrigibles' origins (as well as Penelope's) pile up, with no real answers, but since this is only the second of six books, I'll assume that all the mysteries will eventually be solved.
In the meantime, I'll be satisfied with charming passages like this:
“Nowadays, people resort to all kinds of activities in order to calm themselves after a stressful event: performing yoga poses in a sauna, leaping off bridges while tied to a bungee, killing imaginary zombies with imaginary weapons, and so forth. But in Miss Penelope Lumley's day, it was universally understood that there is nothing like a nice cup of tea to settle one's nerves in the aftermath of an adventure- a practice many would find well worth reviving.”
May 22, 2017
After the chaos caused by the children at the ball, Ashton Place is in need of renovation. To make this palatable, the whole family pack up and move to London for a time.
Penelope receives an unusual illustrated guide to London, the like of which has never before been seen, from her ex-headmistress and it's evident that something odd is going on. Characters who don't seem to exist, strange noises from the attic, an obsession with charting the phases of the moon and people attempting to attack the children.
There's the usual chaos surrounding the children, and Penelope's determination to hang onto the power of education is amusing. Though it's good fun, the clues about the origins of the children and suggestion that Penelope is linked were never developed and this felt rather short on answers.
Penelope receives an unusual illustrated guide to London, the like of which has never before been seen, from her ex-headmistress and it's evident that something odd is going on. Characters who don't seem to exist, strange noises from the attic, an obsession with charting the phases of the moon and people attempting to attack the children.
There's the usual chaos surrounding the children, and Penelope's determination to hang onto the power of education is amusing. Though it's good fun, the clues about the origins of the children and suggestion that Penelope is linked were never developed and this felt rather short on answers.
November 15, 2018
4.5 ⭐️s Littles loved this book. Story gets more and more mysterious. The vocabulary in these books are pretty high level. Love how they explain what a word is through the story's characters. Some parental guidance probably needed as it mentions a fortune teller and past curses on the children. For a highly sensitive child it could be a tad scary.
July 5, 2020
Another cute instalment where Penelope tries valiantly to educate the Incorrigibles despite continual disruptions and mysteries.
We still don’t have answers on the children’s parents or the connection with Penelope but there are lots of clues which are perhaps more obvious for adult readers.
Quite a bit of fun!
We still don’t have answers on the children’s parents or the connection with Penelope but there are lots of clues which are perhaps more obvious for adult readers.
Quite a bit of fun!
April 26, 2018
Imagine that you are waiting impatiently to watch your favorite show on tv and just when the show is about to begin, the power goes off.
How would you feel?
.
.
.
.
That's exactly how I felt when I finished reading this book. Just when I thought things were spicing up a bit, the author put the end card thereby clipping the wings of my high flying spirits.
How would you feel?
.
.
.
.
That's exactly how I felt when I finished reading this book. Just when I thought things were spicing up a bit, the author put the end card thereby clipping the wings of my high flying spirits.
November 22, 2018
I enjoyed the second book in the Incorrigible Children series! I think I will continue to read them! ;)
4 stars.
4 stars.
April 23, 2024
Bits and pieces of the puzzle are coming together, I guess I’ll have to read the entire series to find the answers.
January 16, 2020
4.7 stars
I adore this series. The characters jump off the page and Penelope is a wonderful heroine - compassionate, plucky, hard-working, and practical. The writing has lots of witty asides and tangents, but they are all so delightful I never mind that it slows the story. I find myself wanting to quote the intrepid Agatha Swanburne and wishing I could discuss poetry with Penelope.
The audio books are magnificent.
I adore this series. The characters jump off the page and Penelope is a wonderful heroine - compassionate, plucky, hard-working, and practical. The writing has lots of witty asides and tangents, but they are all so delightful I never mind that it slows the story. I find myself wanting to quote the intrepid Agatha Swanburne and wishing I could discuss poetry with Penelope.
The audio books are magnificent.
June 23, 2013
In the last installment, Ashton Place was left in ruins thanks to The Incorrigibles and their new pet squirrel, Nutsawoo. This one picks up a month or so after. As repairs are still underway, Lady Ashton gets the bright idea (of course, after it was mentioned to her by Miss Lumley) to temporarily move everyone into a London townhouse. This presents plenty of opportunity for “educashawoo” excursions for Miss Lumley and The Incorrigibles as well as social opportunities for Lady Ashton. Or so, that’s the plan. But, as the book points out even the best laid plans go astray.
The book started a tad slower than the first one, but once it got going it was pretty good. I liked how Ms. Wood reminds readers of what happened in the previous book without going on for pages or interrupting the flow of the current story. Not many authors share this talent. She’s also able to inject educational tidbits without bringing the story down.
In this second installment, we have the same characters as before but we also meet a nice playwriter dubbed Simawoo by the children and we finally meet Miss Mortimer, Penelope’s old school mistress. We also meet Gypsawoo and some pirates!
As for the mystery portion of the story, just like the last one there is no resolution. However, readers are given a few more clues, so the plot thickens in time for the third installment.
Like the first this one is a fun read. It’s appealing to children of both sexes and I think adults will enjoy it too.
This was one of my favorite quotes in the book:
"As Agatha Swanburne once said, 'To be kept waiting is unfortunate, but to be kept waiting with nothing interesting to read is a tragedy of Greek proportions.'"
So true, Agatha. So true.
The book started a tad slower than the first one, but once it got going it was pretty good. I liked how Ms. Wood reminds readers of what happened in the previous book without going on for pages or interrupting the flow of the current story. Not many authors share this talent. She’s also able to inject educational tidbits without bringing the story down.
In this second installment, we have the same characters as before but we also meet a nice playwriter dubbed Simawoo by the children and we finally meet Miss Mortimer, Penelope’s old school mistress. We also meet Gypsawoo and some pirates!
As for the mystery portion of the story, just like the last one there is no resolution. However, readers are given a few more clues, so the plot thickens in time for the third installment.
Like the first this one is a fun read. It’s appealing to children of both sexes and I think adults will enjoy it too.
This was one of my favorite quotes in the book:
"As Agatha Swanburne once said, 'To be kept waiting is unfortunate, but to be kept waiting with nothing interesting to read is a tragedy of Greek proportions.'"
So true, Agatha. So true.
May 28, 2014
This series is certainly going to develop is some interesting ways - ways that I am having a hard time imagining. The Hidden Gallery is actually better than The Mysterious Howling; a great rarity, that, for a sequel to be better than its predecessor. Penelope Lumley continues to be a terrific heroine - sensible, brave, and not one to give into silly whims or brook any nonsense. When she wants something, she accomplishes it; no questions asked. And the children are just as cute as before - perhaps more so.
The Hidden Gallery introduces many new characters, one of them being Simon Harley-Dickinson - a truly wonderful, unannoying young man who also happens to be an actor - and a few other mysterious ones. Maryrose Wood manages to offer just enough answers and illusions to what may be going on without giving too much away, maintaining the Reader's curiosity and suspense. At times, The Hidden Gallery was strange - the chase scene towards the end had me truly baffled; I had to wonder if I was reading it correctly. But judging by how this series is turning (and believe me, I was never expecting it), I think that strange is probably going to be quite normal for it. But I feel that it will be a good strange, maybe mixed in with a little "okay, that was odd" strange.
I desperately look forward to the next installment!
The Hidden Gallery introduces many new characters, one of them being Simon Harley-Dickinson - a truly wonderful, unannoying young man who also happens to be an actor - and a few other mysterious ones. Maryrose Wood manages to offer just enough answers and illusions to what may be going on without giving too much away, maintaining the Reader's curiosity and suspense. At times, The Hidden Gallery was strange - the chase scene towards the end had me truly baffled; I had to wonder if I was reading it correctly. But judging by how this series is turning (and believe me, I was never expecting it), I think that strange is probably going to be quite normal for it. But I feel that it will be a good strange, maybe mixed in with a little "okay, that was odd" strange.
I desperately look forward to the next installment!
April 3, 2011
It seems odd to say that a book I read in a couple hours dragged, but The Hidden Gallery did. The story itself, a continuation of The Mysterious Howling, should have been lively enough, but Wood's Lemony Snickett-esque explanations seemed intrusive here, slowing the pace rather than providing comic relief or enhancing the mood of the story. In fact, dragging the story out seems to be the main objective in the series. I would have found it more enjoyable to have the "mysteries" introduced in The Mysterious Howling resolved earlier in the book, and new, more convoluted ones introduced, but, no, everything is dragged out as long as possible. Penelope may have pluck, but she seems a bit slow on the uptake in this installment.
Having said that, I think the story of the mysterious wolf-like children and their governess is an appealing one, and I think many children would enjoy the series, especially young but strong readers. The clues are pronounced enough that a younger reader would feel good about noticing them before the heroine, and offer just the amount of mystery to engage their imagination without making outcomes too obvious.
Having said that, I think the story of the mysterious wolf-like children and their governess is an appealing one, and I think many children would enjoy the series, especially young but strong readers. The clues are pronounced enough that a younger reader would feel good about noticing them before the heroine, and offer just the amount of mystery to engage their imagination without making outcomes too obvious.
April 18, 2014
Book Two of the delightful and hilarious Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, this book was even better than the first. It delves deeper into the storyline and unearths some mystery surrounding the unique...situation of the Incorrigibles. The fun characters are entertainingly woven through a fascinating and complicated plot; I understand a good deal of the mystery now, and I'm still not sure where this is going.
Definitely recommended for younger readers, but also good for older readers looking for something light-hearted. This series has the great qualities of a classic children's book, like E Nesbit's or Edward Eager's work.
In full disclosure, I have only listened to the series on audiobook. Katherine Kellgren's narration is excellent, but I understand the books do have good illustrations.
Definitely recommended for younger readers, but also good for older readers looking for something light-hearted. This series has the great qualities of a classic children's book, like E Nesbit's or Edward Eager's work.
In full disclosure, I have only listened to the series on audiobook. Katherine Kellgren's narration is excellent, but I understand the books do have good illustrations.
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