Ah, a terrible sin I have committed my dear friends; I am offering you a second in series post where I have never posted the first book of the series. I’ve read it of course. I’ve actually even written it up, all shined and polished and ready to go. But I missed the window for posting it and it’s lurking, waiting for the next set of holiday whatzihoozits. So, we are left with a sequel with no start, which is a right shame if you ask me, especially since I was so terribly eager to learn what became of the incorrigible children and their beloved governess, “Lumawoooooo”.
Necessary backstory: Miss Lumley, a well-trained governess of 15, has grown up at the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females. Equipped with innumerable pithy sayings (courtesy of Academy founder Agatha Swanburne) she heads to her very first position at Ashton place. She soon learns her young charges have certain lupine tendencies and characteristics and that perhaps her courses on animal care will be the most useful of all her training. Luckily, Miss Lumley is undeterred at having such pupils and commences to instruct them in Latin, Mathematics, Poetry and all the other important subjects, just as she makes efforts to convince them that cooked meat is tasty and words are more easily understood than howls. There are quite a few mysterious goings-on and Miss Lumley has reason to fear for her charges’s safety.
This time, Miss Lumley and the Incorrigibles are off to London. Obviously, the trip will be full of intrigue and mystery and edifying side trips. More questions are raised, “who are Miss Lumley’s parents? What purpose does the Swanburne hair poultice serve? Why is Lord Ashton so dashedly attached to his almanac? (Hint: moon, moon, moon, moon)” And very few answers are given. And yet, I remain thoroughly charmed.
However, I found this will likely be tough going for many young readers and believe advanced readers in Grades 4 and up would be the best audience. Fourth grade students will enjoy it more if they have diverse background knowledge. The vocabulary is difficult and the writing often takes little side journeys into asides and small details before heading back to the main plot. This will make it quite hard to follow for many, but will amuse those with enough understanding.
Sex, Nudity, Dating – The children were found naked in the forest. Miss Lumley does not know the sex of a squirrel nor is she inclined to investigate. Miss Lumley receives a letter from a gentleman. Miss Lumley has met someone who might compliment her hair.
Profanity – None.
Death, Violence and Gore – A man’s ancestors died gruesome deaths. A painting in the book is described as being of a wolf with fangs dripping with blood. In a metaphor involving matadors and bulls, a matador delivers the final blow with a dagger. A girl bites a man’s sleeve. The author describes a hypothetical situation in which you are to imagine you are choking and possibly turning blue. A man mentions dog fighting. A guard has a gun. The children pounce upon and bite a guard. When Lord Ashton hears a noise he says “stop or I’ll shoot”. He is not carrying a weapon. There’s talk of hanging someone for theft. The Peloponnesian War is mentioned multiple times. Cassiopeia mimes someone dying a gruesome death from plague. The children chase a parrot in hopes of eating it.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – A woman is compared to a tipsy ballerina. A lady is offered schnapps. Lord Ashton’s club smells of cigars and pipe tobacco. Mrs. Clarke believes a gentleman hasn’t come by because he had some “potent refreshment” that landed him in lockup.
Frightening or Intense Things – There’s talk of “a hunt” which may prove dangerous for the children.
