Complex Society
One of my all time favorite book series is The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart. Stewart creates a nice paced book about four children with varying abilities, ages, and backgrounds that are put into a world of adventure, mystery, and danger.
Following the story of Reynie Muldoon, Kate Wetherall, George "Sticky" Washington, and Constance Contraire, The Mysterious Benedict Society captures many of the most important parts of a story perfectly.
In the first book, all four children respond to an add in the newspaper and end up helping a man name Nicolas Benedict, or just Mr. Benedict. They are tasked with the mission of joining the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened (L.I.V.E.) where they will attempt to stop Ledroptha Curtain from brainwashing the world through television and radio transmissions. They are faced with riddles, puzzles, and challenges that test their abilities and friendship.
Beyond the interesting plot, well written puzzles and riddles, and just overall lovely feel of the children's adventure/mystery book, lies my favorite part of any story: character.
All four children bring different abilities to their group.
• Reynie is a problem solver- he can find ways to solve any riddle, puzzle, or conundrum put before him.
• Kate is prepared for anything- she carries a bucket with her that contains anything she could ever need inside, from ropes to magnets to a spy glass disguised as a kaleidescope, not to mention her agility, dexterity, and stamina.
• Sticky remembers everything and anything he has ever read or heard, thus the name Sticky- morse code, useless facts, childhood instances, he remembers all of it.
• Finally Constance, perhaps the most complex, she has the ability to come up with rhymes and poems with the bat of an eye, stubborn, intelligent- she is later revealed to have some mental powers, reading thoughts, changing minds, but everything links back to her ability to see patterns. She can predict whether it will rain or not depending on patterns she has noticed subconsciously on other days before it rained- as one example of what patterns help her with.
They all have complex backgrounds, from living in an orphanage, being orphaned and joining a circus, running away from seemingly unloving parents, or not remembering a background at all.
Stewart effectively captures human nature, interactions, and how to make engaging characters the reader cares about. Even side characters such as SQ became endearing by the end of the story.
Throughout all three books, Stewart presents original story, beautiful characters, and an overall fantastic read no matter your age.
(Don't get me started on the Prequel- I could be here all day.)
Stewart also wrote a book of puzzles and riddles so the readers can try out solving some things on their own.
Overall, for anyone who loves puzzle solving, perfectly sculpted characters, and engaging plots, I would highly recommend this series.