The Genie From Down Under

by Amanda Midlam

Based on the television series of the same name, in which Penelope Townes, a 13 year old British girl, comes into possession of an opal pendant when she explores the dusty attic of her family's decaying mansion. The opal contains two Australian genies, Bruce and his son Baz, and each episode revolves around the consequences of one of Penelope's flippant wishes, or the efforts of an outside party to steal the opal (and thus, the genies).

When Penelope inherits a property in Australia (Townes Downs), Bruce and Baz are very happy because it means that they can spend more time in their own country. When they go to inspect the property, they meet Otto von Meister, who runs tours of outback Australia. His family had once owned the opal, and according to Otto, Penelope's great grandfather had stolen it from his family years before. When he finds out that Penelope has the opal, he tries to steal it from her. He often enlists his nephew Conrad to help him. Penelope falls in love with Conrad, which gives Otto far more opportunity to steal the opal.
Things are further complicated when Bruce (the genie) falls in love with Penelope's mother, Lady Diana Townes. She is already supposedly in love with Lord 'Bubbles' Uppington-Smythe, however, it is revealed that this is only because of his money, and she in turn falls in love with Bruce.

Genres: Childrens

Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Abby Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun little book!



Penelope is the furthest thing from a likable heroine, she's almost an antagonist, the way she tries to twist the world to suit herself and her massive ego, and yet there's this weird earnest quality about her that makes you not want to see anything TOO bad happen to her, while at the same time cheering for every one of Bruce and Baz's twisted wishes set to teach her a lesson.

So, so much fun.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book-of-the-series, and loads of fun too! One to re-read for sure.