Double Down to Double Up
Review Date — 4th December 2016
How long should a book series be? How much can a reader absorb? My theory is the absorbing capacity decreases with age. You start off, capable of imbibing any number of books without breaking a sweat. As time goes on, the limit slowly recedes until you reach a stage (which I have) where the thought of reading a trilogy makes you practically cower. A good theory always has exceptions. The irony of it. This one’s no different. I know this is not exactly your typical book series but surely there must come a time when you have run out of hunger? 11 books and counting, it’s safe to say my hunger’s still going strong.
There are books that preserve the essence of your childhood in them and Diary of a Wimpy Kid books certainly fit the bill. The first book was a complete revelation. The unique format captured the imagination of all audiences across the globe. I fondly remember drifting towards these books when I first saw them in my school library because they just really stood out. Hardbound, variegated, printed paper strips along the edge, and a large cartoon of a boy on the front cover. It’s hard not be drawn to them. And when I opened one, I was sold. After TEN bloody good books, Jeff Kinney still shows no signs of slowing down. The Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double Down is out and the trend has become such that it is impossible for any book that comes out to not be received well.
Greg’s middle school is life is meh as usual, the love of his love still undiscovered, and with his mom calling all the shots, persuading him to give up his childish games and explore his “creative side”, things certainly don’t look rosy for dear old Greg. Wondering whether the world revolves around you? What if your entire life is being filmed and the people around you are just paid to act as absolute jerks? That’s where Greg’s thoughts are heading to. The Balloon Brigade is on with a giant jar of candy corn as a reward. Greg definitely fancies his chances as does the chances of getting invited to Mariana Mendoza’s Halloween party that force him to go the ridiculous extents in order to learn to play a musical instrument. And he MUST practice regularly with his Dad breathing heavily down his neck, having spent quite a few bucks in buying the instrument. You never know what old Rodrick is up to and his nonsensical lies to young Greg could have well ruined Greg’s toilet-using technique for life. The SPINETICKLERS books by I.M.SPOOKY is another hilarious affair in the book. What better way of becoming rich and popular than by making a movie. Greg embarks upon this journey as a movie director to create his very own movie starring Rowley and gummy worm candies!
Every time that I am reminded that Jeff Kinney both writes and draws his own cartoons for the series, I take a moment to pause and admire. It is not a proper novel but it’s just so creative in its own way. The anecdotes are so relatable and the cartoons, so simple, subtle and sumptuous. The idea of the series is so brilliant to start with that Kinney can just keep pumping out these books till he grows tired of it. He doesn’t have to worry about what’s happened in the series before. Every book in a sense is an independent book. He can take what he wants from the previous books and discard what he doesn’t going forward and it sounds like a lot of luxury. I don’t have anything specific to say about Double Down. It is, like all the previous books, a wholesome concoction of anecdotes and cartoons. The characters keep evolving, the cartoons are timeless, the stories keep getting more and more imaginative. My only criticism would be that Rowley and Rodrick haven’t been given much of the limelight. Their contribution throughout the entire series cannot be overstated. In fact, Rodrick is my favorite character so him not having much of a role to play is a bit disappointing. But overall, the book, like all its predecessors, delivers and goes down with a strong rating of 8.5 out of a possible 10.
