Goody Hall

Reviewed by Carrie Spellman Hercules Feltwright was, until very recently, an actor. Wandering through a small town, Hercules stumbles upon a job as a tutor. He's never been a tutor, but he's played a teacher many times, and it was one of his favorite roles. This might be just what he's looking for. Goody Hall is the beautiful, if somewhat out-of-place mansion that houses Willet Goody and his mother. But Goody Hall also holds a mystery or two. There's a father who may or may not be dead, a tomb and coffin that holds something, but not necessarily a person, and a mother who doesn't miss her husband. Hercules has fallen into much more than just tutoring, and his student may have a thing or two to teach him before long. As with any good mystery, each answer creates more questions. Soon myth and fiction collide and everyone will be surprised by who and what they truly are. Goody Hall belongs on the list of timeless classics. While the book may age, the story doesn't. It's a book that is as much a pleasure to read as a child as it is for an adult. There is mystery, humor, history, and legend, all wrapped up in a wonderfully told story about interesting, likable people. And the fiery finish will captivate even the most jaded of children. Armchair Interviews says: Whether this will be the first or fifteenth time you've read it, it's worth every second.

I love this book so much that it has taken me several tries to write a review. How perfect can a book be? Funny, mysterious, deep, intellectual, all in one title. A story about a young man finding himself, and a woman doing the same, with the supporting cast either having already done the work or just plain not interested. (And just like in real life, the people who have no interest in improving themselves are in very happy ignorance, while the ones who are searching for truth are in what seems unsurmountable angst.) It's the juggling of the several stories, interwoven with Greek mythology, that seems so miraculous to me. The title comes from the name of the house in which most of the action takes place, the grand and beautiful home of Midas Goody. If you don't know any Greek mythology, you'll miss that he made a bad deal, like king Midas--but--and this is the fantastic part--if you miss that you will still understand and enjoy the story. The main character is named after the Greek hero Hercules but is not heroic. The turning point of the story is a trip to Cerberus--or, if you don't know your myths, it's just a venture into an old tomb. I can't, in this review, make it clear how funny and true this book is. Not only my fave Natalie Babbitt, but my very favorite book.

Although this book is recommended for eight-year-olds, the plot and some of the dialougue would be hard for them to understand. I am an avid fifteen-year-old reader and found this book wonderful! Almost as well written as "The Devil's Storybook" and "Tuck Everlasting".