Ladybug Ladybug

by W.O. Mitchell

Book by Mitchell, W.

Genres: Canada, Fiction

276 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

William Ormond Mitchell was an author of novels, short stories, and plays. He is best known for his 1947 novel Who Has Seen the Wind, which has sold close to a million copies in North America, and a collection of short stories, Jake and the Kid, which subsequently won the Stephen Leacock Award. Both of these portray life on the Canadian prairies where he grew up in the early part of the 20th century. He has often been called the Mark Twain of Canada for his vivid tales of young boys' adventures.

In 1973, Mitchell was made an officer of the Order of Canada.

Reviews

[Elaine Cougler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ladybug, Ladybug by W. O. Mitchell. An interesting, clever portrait of an aging retired professor of English and his personal demons exorcism. To stave off loneliness, the irascible Dr. Lyons advertises for a companion but gets a child in the bargain. The child reminds him of his own--long dead--and she and her mother are the catalysts for his growth, finally allowing him to make significant progress on his Mark Twain novel. Conversations with "Sam" pepper the prof's inner dialogue and shed light on both characters, Samuel Clemens and Dr. Lyon. Sometimes this is to the detriment of the plot. Interesting but not gripping.

[Steven H · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice Canadian story about a cranky old professor who is trying to finish a book on Mark Twain/Samuel Clemens but realizes he needs some help around the house to have any chance of getting it done. The story evolves into a tale of his new life with a young mother and her child who fills a hole in his life and becomes his new family. I would have been happy had the book continued throughout with this interaction and their day to day, but instead, a crisis takes place that somehow seems out of place and almost seems a little too fabricated and copy/pasted into the story. No ladybugs were mentioned in the story, I had to look it up later on to find the origin of the title. I will take a look at W O Mitchell's books and consider them as future reading material, as the style is very welcoming and it almost seems that some of the main character's experiences are based on his real life.

[Talie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author's reputation as a Canadian writer was the reason I had this on my shelf. I read it for a CanLit Bingo 2017 Mystery book. In part the mystery is the missing girl; the unsolved disappearance of the Professor's daughter years ago and the kidnapped girl who recently moved in with him. The mystery also seems to be the Professor's writing block? Why has he taken so long to write his book about Mark Twain? He faces the tragedies in his life after he loses his office at the University and out of loneliness puts an add for help. It's a touching story about growing old.

[Elizabeth Barter · Rating 5 out of 5]

W.O Mitchell's one and only mystery is filled with horror and consequence.On an Alberta campus a little girl goes missing and it takes her grandfather and her family to rescue her.Bear in mind this is W.O. Mitchell so in among the suspense there is commentary and humour.This is a unique addition to Canada's wealth of literature.Enjoyed the book because it was W.O.Mitchell and he took a different route to the contemporary mystery.

[Robert Collette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another easy read that has a surprising turn in the middle but thankfully doesn't stray for long.

[Eleanor Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always a pleasure reading a book by W. O. Mitchell.

[Eda Yangin · Rating 2 out of 5]

The ending was so rushed and it honestly kind of sucked.

[Shelley Kinash · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love all WO Mitchell books. Classic Canadian fiction.

[Mary Mackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oddly disturbing. Well written, but I'm not sure I liked it

[Linda Leafloor]

Didn't like, couldn't finish.