The Mysterious Benedict Society

‘Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?’ asks a newspaper advertisement. Many children apply. While written questions have to be answered, the exam also involves putting the children in situations which test them in ways that they are not aware of at the time. Given the opportunity to cheat, for example, do they do so?

Four children, Reynie, Sticky, Kate and Constance, all from troubled backgrounds yet full of probity and talent are selected. It turns out that their skills are very different but complementary and the task that awaits them is none other than to save the world from the sinister plans being hatched at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened. This involves going in undercover as pupils.

Shades of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory are evoked by TMBS as the poor and honest children are chosen and rewarded over the children who behave badly. Reynie and co’s mentor Mr Benedict is no breathless Mr Wonka (he suffers from narcolepsy), but the children (and the reader) are propelled swiftly along by events which are peppered with puzzles, riddles and mysteries to solve. While there is not much character development in this chunky novel (the four children are defined by their initial attributes – Reynie = puzzles to be solved; Sticky = amazing memory; Kate = physical skills; Constance = stubbornness), its undoubted appeal lies in its empowering of the child reader who will identify with Reynie and his friends, with their fears and foibles but also with the belief invested in them that they can use their talents to overcome dangers and emerge triumphant. A substantial and enjoyable read.