Book Review – Olivetti - by Allie Millington!

-K.N.Swaminathan, Canada

This is a debut novel for Allie Millington. This can be classified as a fantasy novel, where the central character is a typewriter. Even though it is classified as a children’s novel, for the age group 8-12, this is a feel good novel for all age categories.

Story Line :

The Brindle’s family consists of four children. Mother Beatrice Brindle has an Olivetti typewriter. With the advent of a computer, the usage of typewriter by Beatrice gets reduced and is relegated to a corner. Twelve year old Ernest, is a loner, and prefers to spend his time with his collection of oxford English dictionaries, rather than spending time with the family. Suddenly, one day Beatrice leaves the house, pawns her Olivetti in Heartland Pawn Shop and disappears. Nobody knows her whereabouts as well as what made her to leave the house. Her trusted typewriter says, it can help. It remembers, whatever Beatrice typed, and is ready to give the information, if a paper is inserted in the typewriter. Ernest, - with the help of Quinn, the Pawnshop owner’s daughter and Olivetti - tries to find out his mother’s whereabouts and the reason for her disppearence. The story narrates, Ernest and Quinn’s adventures in trying to retrieve the typewriter.

The story is narrated alternately by Olivetti and Ernest. With Olivetti’s witty banter and Ernest’s obsession with word play, the story makes an interesting read.

The theme of the story is 'With love and affection for one another in the family, the family can encounter any challenge and come out successfully.'

Hollywood star Tom Hanks has written a good review for this book in 'Newyork Times'.