The Westing Game
Now this was a good book. A mystery involving a cast of crazy characters and a twisting plot, the storyline centers around a mysterious competition to which an eccentric millionaire postumously challenged his heirs. The prize, of course, was his massive inheritance.
There were a fair amount of twists and turns throughout the book, giving the reader ample opportunities to try to figure out the clues … And the wacky characters kept me entertained throughout.
In reality, though, I think I liked reading it as much for the smart and funny writing style as I did for the plot itself … in fact, I’m pretty sure that this was the first witty novel I’ve ever read.
Are there other similar books out there, ones that’ll engage my brain with wittiness? If so, do tell!
March 22nd, 2009 at 3:29 pm EST
Glad you liked it! I read it YEARS ago (like..elementary school) and loved it then. I should pick it up now to appreciate the writing style even more, I think.
March 22nd, 2009 at 5:18 pm EST
I had to read this book in 6th grade and I hated it. I thought it was very predictable but the author did a good job describing the characters.
March 23rd, 2009 at 9:00 am EST
Have you ever read The Phantom Tollbooth? Still my favorite book even though it’s intended for kids I think. Maybe not so witty, but VERY clever… Wanna borrow it?
March 23rd, 2009 at 9:01 am EST
Oops, that was me.
March 23rd, 2009 at 9:01 am EST
The author has some other books out too. Although I don’t think they’re nearly as good as “The Westing Game,” but “The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon (I Mean Noel)” in particular always amused me.
March 23rd, 2009 at 9:51 pm EST
Bill Bryson provides a good mix of wit and wackiness. I highly recommend his book A Walk in the Woods, but all of them are good, really. If you want a little wit, a good helping of wackiness, and an intricate plot, try a Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. Though I should mention that I’ve never read The Wrestling Game, so I may not be suggesting stories in that vein. But they are good books, nonetheless.
March 23rd, 2009 at 11:19 pm EST
Thanks, guys. I actually read A Walk in the Woods when I was in college, though I can’t remember anything about it. And I’ll have to check out some of the other suggestions too.
Lindsey, I know someone named Noel Leon … for real. And Jenn, I’ll take you up on that offer.
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:36 pm EST
wow, that is my all-time favorite book! I’ve read it at least 4 times through. The first time i read it was in a loft bed in France in the dark!
other good reads:
-Betsy and the Emperor ~Staton Rabin
-The Sherwood Ring ~Elizabeth Marie Pope
April 11th, 2009 at 9:26 pm EST
You should read the Nursery Crime books by Jasper Fforde. I enjoyed them a lot for their wit and cleverness.
April 27th, 2009 at 12:30 am EST
I have loved that book since I read it in 7th grade.
Now I teach it in my English classroom
May 2nd, 2009 at 1:36 am EST
You MUST read “A Prayer for Owen Meany.” The author tells you in the first page or two exactly what is going to happen. Exactly. And you spend the rest of the novel breathless, watching it unfold. Brilliant. It is some enormous number of pages, and yet I read it in maybe two days–couldn’t get out of it. Brilliant. And then you remember that he told you exactly what would happen. And it did. And it worked.
May 9th, 2009 at 10:31 pm EST
Hi Mr. Webel!!!
February 10th, 2010 at 7:56 pm EST
HA who reads nowa days! Maybe Im just outta the loop! Fruit LOOPS!