What do you think?
Rate this book
Sir Blunder: A Bedtime Story for Big People
In this witty fairy tale told in a wry, grandfatherly voice, a village waif, unwanted and alone, grows up to become the greatest knight of the era. With the help of the clever and strong-willed Princess Otello, the steadfast Sir One-Eye, and the rascally trickster Pee-Pee the Peeper, Sir Blunder sets out to slay the dragon who lurks in the woods.
Originally told as a fairy tale for his young children, Walter Kerr transformed it over the course of 20 years into a witty and profound novel for young adults about securing the good in a cruel world.
With a large cast of supporting characters, including Johnny Ne’er-Do-Well, Father Opportunity, Speedy Lightfingers, King Four-Four, and King Smart, this surprising and at times hilarious novel highlights the challenges of remaining true to yourself – always a good idea unless what you truly are needs to be changed.
**Note: This is not a novel for children. Some scenes may be too intense for young readers.** This humorous medieval fantasy is recommended for young adults and adults.
Originally told as a fairy tale for his young children, Walter Kerr transformed it over the course of 20 years into a witty and profound novel for young adults about securing the good in a cruel world.
With a large cast of supporting characters, including Johnny Ne’er-Do-Well, Father Opportunity, Speedy Lightfingers, King Four-Four, and King Smart, this surprising and at times hilarious novel highlights the challenges of remaining true to yourself – always a good idea unless what you truly are needs to be changed.
**Note: This is not a novel for children. Some scenes may be too intense for young readers.** This humorous medieval fantasy is recommended for young adults and adults.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 4, 2017
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 20, 2018
Have you ever come across a book where the pretty princess herself has turned into a witch? Or the ways to reverse a curse isn’t just a stupid kiss from some super-perfect guy? Me neither.
Sir Blunder is about a princess who is being loved by a wicked wizard. But the princess loves someone else and so the wizard turned her into an ugly witch. Little did the wizard know that the princess had a fairy godmother watching over her. So godmother turns the wizard into a dragon, so no more ‘happily ever after’.
This book has so many characters, sometimes it’s exhausting to remember them. But you don’t need to remember the characters in order to have fun. The author has got that covered. This is a plot that is full of twists and turns, events that you didn’t think were possible in a fairy tale. Treachery, bravery and most importantly, stupidity.
The book get’s its name from a kid named Blunder. Anything he does is one big mess. But his journey to Sir Blunder has been extremely eventful. As the story progresses, we get to know more about popular believes that people in the story have and how they deal with it.
One reason I would suggest you this books is that it’s witty and not-obvious. There are so many interesting stories within the master story, and it’s adventurous. There’s no instance where you would find boredom or monotone.
Sir Blunder is about a princess who is being loved by a wicked wizard. But the princess loves someone else and so the wizard turned her into an ugly witch. Little did the wizard know that the princess had a fairy godmother watching over her. So godmother turns the wizard into a dragon, so no more ‘happily ever after’.
This book has so many characters, sometimes it’s exhausting to remember them. But you don’t need to remember the characters in order to have fun. The author has got that covered. This is a plot that is full of twists and turns, events that you didn’t think were possible in a fairy tale. Treachery, bravery and most importantly, stupidity.
The book get’s its name from a kid named Blunder. Anything he does is one big mess. But his journey to Sir Blunder has been extremely eventful. As the story progresses, we get to know more about popular believes that people in the story have and how they deal with it.
One reason I would suggest you this books is that it’s witty and not-obvious. There are so many interesting stories within the master story, and it’s adventurous. There’s no instance where you would find boredom or monotone.
April 8, 2022
*2.5
The book was alright. It reads like a middle grade but is intended for YA/Adult audiences and that is evident with some of its content. I was a little bored during the book and felt like the plot was very slow to progress. I think that it didn’t need to be as long as it was since it was following along with the lines of a classic fairytale of a warrior going to slay a dragon to save the princess.
One part that did crack me up was some of the names of the characters in this book. They were ridiculous and very obviously making fun in a way that was humorous and not subtle. For example, a character was called Sir One Eye because he only had one functioning eye. Another was called Sir Pee Pee because he was a Peeping Tom. Stuff like that did make me chuckle.
It’s an easy, light read if you are looking for something to pass the time but if you want something with more substance and plot, this one is probably not for you.
The book was alright. It reads like a middle grade but is intended for YA/Adult audiences and that is evident with some of its content. I was a little bored during the book and felt like the plot was very slow to progress. I think that it didn’t need to be as long as it was since it was following along with the lines of a classic fairytale of a warrior going to slay a dragon to save the princess.
One part that did crack me up was some of the names of the characters in this book. They were ridiculous and very obviously making fun in a way that was humorous and not subtle. For example, a character was called Sir One Eye because he only had one functioning eye. Another was called Sir Pee Pee because he was a Peeping Tom. Stuff like that did make me chuckle.
It’s an easy, light read if you are looking for something to pass the time but if you want something with more substance and plot, this one is probably not for you.
April 12, 2018
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
Where to start . . . where to start . . .
Let's start with all the disclaimers and warnings on this book -- just because something says it's a fairy tale, that doesn't mean it's for kids. I don't know why people don't know this. See also: animation, comic books, and Not Your Father's Root Beer. Throw in Hans Christian Andersen's writing and the original Grimm's Tales, while we're at it. But, I've gotta say, on the whole, this novel doesn't need all the warnings. Anyone old enough for Suzanne Collins is quite old enough for this.
So, you've got your basics: a couple cursed by evil magic, doomed to appear as other than they are until the curse is broken; an evil dragon; a kind and wise princess; stupid and evil royalty (okay, that's more Shrek than Cinderella); a poor, orphan destined for greatness; noble warriors; corrupt churchmen; wicked/incredibly selfish stepmothers, and so on. Throw in a strange sense of humor, some probably satiric elements, an author who is clearly trying very hard to be whimsical and amusing -- maybe trying too hard -- and you've got yourself a recipe for an amusing read.
Kerr clearly wants to be S. Morgenstern (or maybe William Goldman), and doesn't quite make it. But he's not the first to try, nor the first to fail. But he's good enough to justify reading this, and many people would have a good time doing so.
That's what I was going to say for the first 60% of the book. But at that point, the curse is broken (minor spoiler...but c'mon, it had to happen), people are happy, the kingdoms are prosperous . . . and I figured we had just a couple of chapters of epilogue and resolution. But, no. From there Kerr goes on to fill this with some sort of pseudo-Christian nonsense (very strange morality, no redemption). I honestly have no clue what he was trying to do in the last chapters -- it was a mess.
Remember that scene in Tommy Boy where Tommy tells the waitress, Helen, "why I suck as a salesperson"? He goes on to stroke and pet a roll like a pet and then gets excited and destroys the roll? That's pretty much what Kerr did here -- he has a nice little book and then kills it, reducing it to mangled crumbs.
Save yourself some time and avoid this one. Or, read the first 60% and stop, adding a mental "...and they lived happily ever after."
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
---
Where to start . . . where to start . . .
Let's start with all the disclaimers and warnings on this book -- just because something says it's a fairy tale, that doesn't mean it's for kids. I don't know why people don't know this. See also: animation, comic books, and Not Your Father's Root Beer. Throw in Hans Christian Andersen's writing and the original Grimm's Tales, while we're at it. But, I've gotta say, on the whole, this novel doesn't need all the warnings. Anyone old enough for Suzanne Collins is quite old enough for this.
So, you've got your basics: a couple cursed by evil magic, doomed to appear as other than they are until the curse is broken; an evil dragon; a kind and wise princess; stupid and evil royalty (okay, that's more Shrek than Cinderella); a poor, orphan destined for greatness; noble warriors; corrupt churchmen; wicked/incredibly selfish stepmothers, and so on. Throw in a strange sense of humor, some probably satiric elements, an author who is clearly trying very hard to be whimsical and amusing -- maybe trying too hard -- and you've got yourself a recipe for an amusing read.
Kerr clearly wants to be S. Morgenstern (or maybe William Goldman), and doesn't quite make it. But he's not the first to try, nor the first to fail. But he's good enough to justify reading this, and many people would have a good time doing so.
That's what I was going to say for the first 60% of the book. But at that point, the curse is broken (minor spoiler...but c'mon, it had to happen), people are happy, the kingdoms are prosperous . . . and I figured we had just a couple of chapters of epilogue and resolution. But, no. From there Kerr goes on to fill this with some sort of pseudo-Christian nonsense (very strange morality, no redemption). I honestly have no clue what he was trying to do in the last chapters -- it was a mess.
Remember that scene in Tommy Boy where Tommy tells the waitress, Helen, "why I suck as a salesperson"? He goes on to stroke and pet a roll like a pet and then gets excited and destroys the roll? That's pretty much what Kerr did here -- he has a nice little book and then kills it, reducing it to mangled crumbs.
Save yourself some time and avoid this one. Or, read the first 60% and stop, adding a mental "...and they lived happily ever after."
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
January 22, 2018
An unusual book indeed. A cross between Monty Python and the Bothers Grimm!
From bumbling kings to a cranky dragon and Rudolph the ass, this was a quite delightful story.
There were many, many laugh out loud moments and astute, if slightly cynical, observations scattered amongst this panoply of flawed characters and their shenanigans.
Definitely a tale for adults, who are highly likely to enjoy this insightful, partly satirical but always amusing story.
I received an e-ARC of this book and chose to post a review. It's well worth a look!
From bumbling kings to a cranky dragon and Rudolph the ass, this was a quite delightful story.
There were many, many laugh out loud moments and astute, if slightly cynical, observations scattered amongst this panoply of flawed characters and their shenanigans.
Definitely a tale for adults, who are highly likely to enjoy this insightful, partly satirical but always amusing story.
I received an e-ARC of this book and chose to post a review. It's well worth a look!
January 14, 2018
It’s a great story!
There are many characters, some good and of course some wicked and vicious.
Most get what they deserve, but it might take a very long time.
Their names help in keeping track of who is who, but still sometimes I was confused. This says more about my current concentration and state of mind than about this book.
All these people definitely add to the story, so I guess for me it can’t be helped.
I’m sure you won’t have the same problem though!
I received a copy from Hidden Gems and this is my honest and voluntary review
There are many characters, some good and of course some wicked and vicious.
Most get what they deserve, but it might take a very long time.
Their names help in keeping track of who is who, but still sometimes I was confused. This says more about my current concentration and state of mind than about this book.
All these people definitely add to the story, so I guess for me it can’t be helped.
I’m sure you won’t have the same problem though!
I received a copy from Hidden Gems and this is my honest and voluntary review
January 31, 2018
This book was made to be just like the bedtime stories that we used to hear as kids, but transformed into something for adults. Hence the subtitle of “A Bedtime Story for Big People”. There are witches, curses, knights, magic, dragons, princesses, and anything else you would find in a fantasy medieval story. However Walter Kerr took the story to the next level. The backstory is that there is a big throwdown between an evil Warlock and a beautiful princess and her prince. The Warlock casts a spell on them and turns the princess into an old woman and the prince into a donkey. Neither remember their past life. Their guardian angel casts a spell on the Warlock turning him into a dragon that cannot harm the princess or prince. There is a prophecy created that in time a knight will kill the Warlock and free the prince and princess. And here the story begins. We follow a boy named Blunder and his life story, who leads the book into adventure and new characters.
Right of the bat I realized that Walter Kerr’s writing style is easy to read. There is a lot of dialogue which is told in a very light tone, giving it the sense of a bedtime story. Easily one of my favorite things about the book are the names the author gives the characters, everyone is named literally. For example a baker is named Mr. Baker, however that’s not the funny part. Most of the other names have reasons behind them, like Father Ding Dong was named that “because as a boy it was his job to ring the church bells.” My favorite is Pee Pee the Peeper, who is actually a court jester who tends to peep on people and overhears their secrets. Throughout the book you could hear me giggling at all of the hilarious names that were given to the characters.
Walter Kerr wrote some dark stuff in his book, but it is hidden underneath his lighthearted writing tone.The people in the book have a lot of superstitions and it is cool to read about how the characters act with them about them. This book is fast paced and hard to put down because you just want to know what is going to happen next. There is some major character development throughout the book. Some of the characters start out doing the wrong thing when they know it’s wrong, but later on finally realize that doing the right thing is best.
The only thing that I was not a fan of was the last 70 pages of the book. There is a main character switch; which is interesting at first, but then I realize that I miss the original main character. The paragraphs start to get more confusing and almost seem to be out of place.
However that is the only complaints I have against the book and would otherwise definitely recommend this book for anyone who wants to read a refreshing fantasy adventure that brings back bedtime story memories and is sure to make you laugh. If your a fan of Leigh Bardugo, especially her short stories in Language of Thorns you would definitely enjoy this
book.
*I received a free copy of Sir Blunder from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Right of the bat I realized that Walter Kerr’s writing style is easy to read. There is a lot of dialogue which is told in a very light tone, giving it the sense of a bedtime story. Easily one of my favorite things about the book are the names the author gives the characters, everyone is named literally. For example a baker is named Mr. Baker, however that’s not the funny part. Most of the other names have reasons behind them, like Father Ding Dong was named that “because as a boy it was his job to ring the church bells.” My favorite is Pee Pee the Peeper, who is actually a court jester who tends to peep on people and overhears their secrets. Throughout the book you could hear me giggling at all of the hilarious names that were given to the characters.
Walter Kerr wrote some dark stuff in his book, but it is hidden underneath his lighthearted writing tone.The people in the book have a lot of superstitions and it is cool to read about how the characters act with them about them. This book is fast paced and hard to put down because you just want to know what is going to happen next. There is some major character development throughout the book. Some of the characters start out doing the wrong thing when they know it’s wrong, but later on finally realize that doing the right thing is best.
The only thing that I was not a fan of was the last 70 pages of the book. There is a main character switch; which is interesting at first, but then I realize that I miss the original main character. The paragraphs start to get more confusing and almost seem to be out of place.
However that is the only complaints I have against the book and would otherwise definitely recommend this book for anyone who wants to read a refreshing fantasy adventure that brings back bedtime story memories and is sure to make you laugh. If your a fan of Leigh Bardugo, especially her short stories in Language of Thorns you would definitely enjoy this
book.
*I received a free copy of Sir Blunder from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
December 21, 2018
I think this book is clever, witty, and surprisingly moving.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews