Die Mennyms auf der Flucht.

Mennyms #2

by Sylvia Waugh

The Mennyms, a family of life-size rag dolls living in a house in England and pretending to be human, continue to fear that their secret will be discovered by the outside world

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

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

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 4 out of 5]

After a slow start, that seemed as though this could have been a three star read, this book really picked up the pace and turned into a more un-put-downable read aloud.

We start this story finding that the family home may be up for compulsory purchase, although we found it frustrating that they didn't enjoy their change to a country house complete with their own library ( what is not to like?) we soon got drawn into the new storyline of Albert Pond and the help from beyond the grave Although neither of us have beliefs in an afterlife, we both enjoyed the supernatural elements, they were well written and amusing. I particularly enjoyed the fact that there are elements to the story that aren't explained, there are hints of some sort of underlying plan but it isn't clear what is happening.

This story about rag dolls couldn't be less like you'd expect, we loved the characters, the family dynamics and the sense of humour. Appleby makes us laugh. The story reaches a climactic ending for one of the characters and an idea we had about something the author could do seems to have started we had the idea that if the ragdolls became alive because they were talked to, loved and believed in, they could try making some animal companions. Poopie, the 10 yr old, has just received a hand made rabbit, after initially being disappointed that it wasn't a real rabbit he has started to begrudgingly become attached to it, although it hasn't happened yet we are wondering if it will come alive. We wondered if the author was inspired by The Velveteen Rabbit for this series?

Looking forward to the next book in this series which is arriving next week.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Mennyms are a family unlike any other I've encountered in fiction, really; and that's not because they are rag dolls who have come to life. It's because the author, Sylvia Waugh, has written a unique story for, presumably, young adults (although I think it might be in the children's section, which seems wrong to me), but the family dynamics are often extremely perceptive and the details of the Mennyms' lives are far more realistic than one would expect from a "doll story."

I think I preferred the first volume, the sort of origin story, but in both the characters have to live through the trauma of being life-sized rag dolls instead of human beings, dolls with all the emotions and imagination and dreams, but who simply cannot be found out by regular people, for good reason: certainly, they'd be poked and prodded and never let to live a "regular life" again.

In this second book in a series of five, the Mennyms have to go to the country to get away from the house they were created in and in which they've always lived, due to circumstances which are explained, and this book details the trials and joys of living in the country. Mostly trials, as none of them really like it much (except possibly Miss Quigley), and they all feel relatively desperate to return to their old life.

I'll have to read some of the other reviews; this is such an odd series that I'm curious about other peoples' experiences reading them. But reader beware: if you like books about dolls coming to life, this one definitely qualifies, but it doesn't have the child-like fantasy element of any of the other books in the genre that I've ever read. It's not nearly as escapist a read as most children's literature, but certainly more thought-provoking.

[Tabea Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is still just so precious! Even though I hate Appleby with a passion. She is the definition of the worlds worst teenager...

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not expect this book to be so sad. Tragedy after tragedy, it seems half the characters have an unresolved grievance they have to deal with.

[Shoshanah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mennyms sequel takes place just after the end of the first. The Mennyms, an actual family of living rag dolls, is living as normal in their home when they find out their house is in danger of being demolished for a new road. In search of a new place to live they move to the country (hence the book's title).

It is really interesting reading these books 20 or so years after I first read them. There's one subplot I remember being so awful and a bit scary, but reading it now while I can see the danger, it isn't quite so bad. Yet there's also a love story, that I didn't quite get at 10. Except now, as an adult, I can see all the dangers is poses and how awful the outcome could be.

I still do absolutely adore this series. I wouldn't necessarily list it as my all-time favorite, but it holds a special place for me. I will say that if you never discovered this series growing up, now is a pretty perfect time to try to track them down.

[Melissa Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic. Why aren't these bewitching stories better known?

[Milda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vaikų literatūra, tačiau labai nevaikiškai išmintinga :) Linkiu perskaityti visiems, kas susimąsto, ką reiškia iš tikrųjų gyventi, o kas yra apsimestinis gyvenimas.

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5
Po raz pierwszy przeczytałam ją, mając 19 lat i już wtedy okropnie irytowały mnie pewne aspekty fabuły, ale gdzieś mi umknęło, że Mirabela, nawiązując relację z Albertem, ma... 16 lat, a on ponad 30. Teraz bardzo rzuciło mi się to w oczy. Wiem, że Mirabela ma 16 lat od zawsze i skoro żyje tyle czasu, jednocześnie będąc nieśmiertelną, to jest mentalnie dojrzalsza niż inne szesnastolatki, ale to nadal nastolatka. A Albert ma przewagę w postaci swojego wieku, stanowiska i opieki jaką sprawuje nad jej rodziną. A autorka uznała, że największym problemem tej relacji przedstawionym w książce... jest fakt, że ona jest lalką, a on człowiekiem! Wiem, że autorka pisała to w latach 90, a już wtedy była osobą starszą, która wychowała się w zupełnie innych czasach, ale to i tak oburzające. Jasne, między tym dwojgiem do niczego nie doszło, ich relacja była platoniczna, ale mimo tego nie powinna umieszczać takich treści w książce dla dzieci i młodzieży, bo nie są to dobre wzorce.
Teraz przynajmniej mniej irytowały mnie inne wątki, bo już wiedziałam, że dobrze się skończą, ale nadal nie jest to mój ulubiony tom serii.

[Emkoshka · Rating 3 out of 5]

After finally reading The Mennyms in early April, I went a little nuts and ordered the rest of the series from a secondhand book dealer in the UK. Those precious little books took six weeks to get here due to COVID-19, but now they have a new and loving home on the other side of the world! It was really nice to spend time with this curious family again, but at times the story and characters irritated me, and I felt their identity as children's books was sometimes off. For example, the themes explored and language used are far more adult. I missed the Mennyms' cosy Brocklehurst Grove house as much as they did, but I also enjoyed exploring a little of the English moorland with them. It was fun to meet a new character in Albert Pond, but they were so MEAN and ungrateful to him after he'd driven them here, there and everywhere. That took the shine off a little. But I'll read on, if only to see what happens next to this ragged bunch.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was my least favorite of the series that I had read as a kid (in fact, I was not certain that I *had* ever read it at all until I got to the section of Soobie's'adventure') -- it is full of ennui, and a sensibility of dread and dreariness I couldn't truly understand. I couldn't even begin to imagine a Country House before I'd ever seen one, and I did not understand the difficulty at the end of the book. It is better reading now as an adult, although the strange creepy terror is still there near the end, and the ending is very sad-- the reason absolutely went over my head when I was young.
This one is really starting to ask the question of the rag dolls' souls. We've been told over and over again that they are not human - but neither are they toys, even if frozen developmentally.

[Mazzou B · Rating 1 out of 5]

In my defense, I promise you I did not use valuable time to read this entire book. I read the first couple chapters, then glanced (sped-read) the rest of the book. Not the most interesting of topics, but written with a good sense of humour. A couple English swear words but nothing else bad for young readers. Putting one star because there wasn't much point to the book and I'm just not a fan of books about doll families living in a real human world. (the Borrowers are different :) )

[agota · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when I was about 11 years old and I thought it was the deepest and most intelligent book I have ever read. Then few years pass and I find out it's just a children's book. I don't know why, but humans as dolls was such a creepy and interesting way to tell a story. Or perhaps it was the lithuanian translation of the title, "Žmogonai"

[Dennis Fischman · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books move slowly, lovingly, as we see the family of animated rag dolls face some threats that any family might face, plus some that are particular to a family that's "different" and has to hide it. I can't explain exactly why I have enjoyed these first two books so much, but they touch my soul.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book introduced the "unusual" characters and their world. This book actually told a story. These books would be great read a loud stories for bedtime for children with vivid imaginations. Enjoyed by an adult with a vivid imagination 😉

[Noonie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read! Looking forward to next adventure with the quirky Mennyms…

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly engrossing. Can't wait to read the next in the series.

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mennyms in the Wilderness is set just shortly after the first book in the series, The Mennyms. The Mennyms, are a family of rag dolls, trying to live, as much as possible, as normal people when they find out that, in the long term, their house is in danger of being demolished to make way for a road that will run right through Brocklehurst Grove. In the short term, there will be petitions and protests that might put them in the public eye. In search of a new hideout they move to a country house. A series of problems ensue.

What I liked about the first book in the series, I still like about the second. The idea of rag dolls coming alive and the problems that they face because they are not like their neighbors, has not worn thin for me. The two characters who didn't fully participate in the first book and Miss Quigley literally coming out of the closet, help to freshen the story.

But my worry about a series like this is, where do the characters go from here? They don't age but they don't seem to mature much either. Would anyone look forward to having a cranky teenager who remains a cranky teenager forever? The baby is 40 years old but is still a baby. The children will always be children. And Claudia was so not my favorite character in Interview with the Vampire.

Nitpicking: I would prefer that authors not do what I have decided to call "The Monster Mash" although my husband tells me that it is all the rage in YA books. By that I mean having two or more different supernatural phenomenon or cryptozoological characters in the same book.

[Gale · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE DANGER OF BECOMING TOO HUMAN...

With tender insight into human nature, extremely clever plotting and stormy family dynamics, Sylvia Waugh has written a delightful sequel to THE MENNYMS. This large family of rag dolls--made by dear, deceased Aunt Kate--leads a secluded life in a quiet residential area; they Pretend both indoors and outside (for the benefit of neighbors) to perform the normal daily tasks of real people. But the fear of discovery--that they are not human after all--demands both caution (usually) and deception as ways of life.

This story opens with a warning letter from the Real Albert Pond that the area will be razed for a new highway project. Having been instructed by Aunt Kate's ghost to protect her endangered creations, modest Albert loyally undertakes to defend his new "relatives" by transferring them to his ancient homestead in the country, Comus House. In learning to love this family--with all their foibles, squabbles and passionate attitudes--Albert must learn to live in two worlds. Can he become man enough to face a variety of dangers for love of this group of oddball rag dolls? The fascinating storyline is interspersed with struggles of intergenerational relationships: a runaway and a kidnapping and an impending Bonfire provide literary excitement. A charmer--for kids (and dolls) of all ages!

(May 9, 2011. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series when I first read it. I'm rereading it for the third time, and the last, probably. I like this second story better than the first. The storyline of the first is necessary to establish the premise, but this one is improved upon with the addition of the character, Albert Pond, a real man sent by the ghost of his aunt and the creator of the rag doll family, the Mennyms, to save them from being found out and displaced.

This series is definitely YA rather than J but would be appealing to all ages if the reader is looking for a bit of magic. A Hornbook contributor noted that Waugh focused on "what it means to be human by exploring the lives of those who are not."

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful series about a family of life-size, sentient rag dolls. Even though that doesn't sound all that appealing if you're not, say, an 8-year-old girl, Sylvia Waugh writes about the family's frustrations with their kind of half-human life in a way that makes the books far more sophisticated and philosophical than they might seem on the surface.

In this book, the family is forced to interact with an actual human being and move to the country in order to limit their chances of detection.

[Dora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really truly adore this book series and all the characters in it. The different relationship dynamics, the little quips and quarrels the various characters have with each other and the overall message of the story of family and love makes me feel warm and cosy and im excited to see what's going to happen to the Mennyms next. However, even though it wasn't as good as the first one plot wise and i felt that some of it was rushed and a bit unneeded (ghosts and romance) I still had a great time.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is where the Mennyms meet the real Albert Pond and Aunt Kate takes a hand. A motorway is being planned and will affect the Mennyms' house, so Albert is told to help them by the ghost of his Aunt Kate, the maker of the Mennyms. It's a lovely story. I like them. The date is a re-read date, originally read a couple of years before.

[Jannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series, it brings me back to that sense of nostalgia and feeling that I love about the british books I read as a child.
Real characters, imperfect, demanding, and with a new addition to the family.

[Saya · Rating 5 out of 5]

(re-read)

Love these.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two in the series.

[Ashleigh Cutler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remembered this book once I read the dust jacket. It was a cute story, and I did enjoy it when I was younger.