The Basic Eight: A Novel
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Review
'The Basic Eight is both delicious entertainment and an unsettling statement on the irrationality of adolescence' Time Out 'Very funny and very sharp' Guardian
New York Post
`A scathing satire...with a dark and completely unexpected twist'
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The Basic Eight is not a book to be read lightly. Under no circumstances should anyone be tempted into reading this tale by Mr Handler by the presumption that it will bear a resemblance to those lovely children's stories he writes as Mr Snicket. While his famous Unfortunate Events stories are known for their rare darkness in tales aimed at minors, The Basic Eight comes from a place far more fundamentally dark and disturbing. The Basic Eight is one of those rare and delightful books that requires the reader to invest in the text and to give as well as, possibly as *much* as to take away from it.
The plot of the story revolves around high school student Flannery Culp and her closest friends "the Basic Eight". Narrated from Flannery's point of view, readers are shown the hardships of teenage life over a period barely longer than a month. This short space of time is enough for Flannery's entire life to be torn apart; by boyfriends and unrequited love; by betrayals and overly amorous teachers; by inept psychologists and by murder.
The voice that Handler gives Flannery is unique and potentially grating. Intellectual poetry and drama loving, grammatically obsessed narrators do not an easy read make, yet for some reason Flannery comes across as a gripping character, and despite her many flaws she is an entirely fascinating heroine.
The real crux of the story comes in the form of a colossal twist in the last few pages. It is the sort of twist likely to leave some readers feeling cheated, yet it is hard not to marvel at the sheer hugeness of it. A re-read is highly recommended as spotting the many clues pointing to the outcome leads to a much greater appreciation of Handler's skill.
Overall, The Basic Eight is a book that should be read with care and time; by a reader not expecting fluffy entertainment, but instead enjoyment that must be earned through giving the text and it's narrator the attention they deserve. A Series of Unfortunate Events it is not, yet brilliant it most undoubtedly is.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'm 17 and have read many books, but no book I have read can match The Basic Eight, by Daniel Handler as the most gripping, intense and moving account of a misunderstood teenager in american society. The narrative structure is clever, the characters expertly drawn, but above all the greatness of this book comes from the narration through the eyes of the witty, sarcastic, unhinged, but above all teenaged Flannery. It just completely appealed to myself as a teenager, though this wont stop older or slightly younger (not too young - you wont get important parts of the book) enjoying it.
I had to read it almost all in one sitting as it gripped me and after reading I thought about it so much that I had to pick up some rubbish book to take my mind off The Basic Eight. The end, following the dramatic and emotional events of 'October 31st' ends on a sad and poetic note, the poetic descriptive qualities of which are present through Handler's amazing authorship. It's one of the greatest coming of age books, ranking up there with Catcher In The Rye - but in my view, better. Get this book!
I had to read it almost all in one sitting as it gripped me and after reading I thought about it so much that I had to pick up some rubbish book to take my mind off The Basic Eight. The end, following the dramatic and emotional events of 'October 31st' ends on a sad and poetic note, the poetic descriptive qualities of which are present through Handler's amazing authorship. It's one of the greatest coming of age books, ranking up there with Catcher In The Rye - but in my view, better. Get this book!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I was asked to read this book on a recomendation from a friend and I didn't expect to enjoy it. However, Handler's insight into the cliques that inevitably form in high school is a fascinating read. High school is a place where children are most commonly influenced and Handler shows this 'coming of age' in a dark, yet witty style. I read this book in a day and I wanted to read it all over again once i'd finished. I find that quite rare. Handler's Basic Eight is never dull, with twists and turns at every chapter's end. I would advise everyone to read this book!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great, gripping book!
I read this book when I was about 12 and remember thinking it was one of the best books I'd ever read... Read more
Published on 10 Dec 2009 by Eilidh Brown
The talented Mr Handler
'The Basic Eight' has so much going for it, a fantastic voice in Flannery, such wickedly funny, funny writing and a twist that was so well embedded in the text I felt as if I'd... Read more
Published on 13 Oct 2006 by Book Lover
Woah....
This book is highly confusing and very twisted. Having not read the Lemony Snicket series I wasn't sure what to expect but it definately wasn't this highly disturbing and unusual... Read more
Published on 8 Feb 2005 by "rae4723"
This book is amazing
I discovered this book in waterstones, read the blurb on the back and i just had to buy it. I was engrossed in the book form start to finnish, and even though some of the story is... Read more
Published on 21 Nov 2004
Donna Tartt eat your heart out
Not since the days of Evelyn Waugh has there been such a perfect pastiche.
For all you fans of Donna Tartt's 'The Secret History' (And I am one of them) read this as an... Read more
For all you fans of Donna Tartt's 'The Secret History' (And I am one of them) read this as an... Read more
Published on 11 Oct 2004 by a. nonymous
Get a Grip on Handler
I'm a long time fan of Lemony Snicket and his children series so naturally I picked up Handler's The Basic Eight. Read more
Published on 28 Mar 2004 by Rob Night
Derivative but fun
I enjoyed this book, although it's probably more suited to a teenage audience. The story is lightweight, very readable and hilarious in places, although the overall effect is of a... Read more
Published on 8 May 2003
But, but, but, A Series Of Unfortunate Events is wonderful!
I love the Lemony Snickett books, so I decided to get this when I saw that it was by the same man. However, I was sorely disappointed. Read more
Published on 19 Mar 2003 by Sonia Smith
THIS IS NOT A CHILDREN'S BOOK!
Lemony Snicket/Daniel Handler's first adult fiction has all the black comedy of his children's books (including its own study guide), but the story itself is quite disturbing, and... Read more
Published on 24 Sep 2002 by Caillie
Not as Lemmony as you might like
I was hoping for an adult version of the pure joy that is Lemmony Snickett, but (whilst it is a good book) it felt very teenage and I found myself dissatisfied at its conclusion. Read more
Published on 3 Sep 2002 by b g-w
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