Book Review: The House With a Clock in Its Walls

The House With a Clock in Its Walls by John Bellairs, 1973,


This is one time I must admit I prefer the movie to the book.  The movie adds many things which add breadth to the characters and excitement.  The stuff with visions of his mother are not in the book, nor are the pumpkins in front of the house, nor all the creatures in the house.  What there is; is a boy with knowledge and problem solving skills; after he almost ruins everything to begin with because he wants to keep his friend.  That is sort of the same. There is way more motivation in the movie for the mistake because it adds the visions of his mother.  The evil man does not actually return in the book.