2016 Nov 1
by Vandana Hiranand
Where there’s a will, there’s a way – and Sam Westing has left quite a will!
One fateful day, sixteen people gather for the reading of Samuel W. Westing’s will. To their surprise, the will turns out to be a contest, challenging the heirs to find out who among them is Westing’s murderer. Forging ahead, through blizzards, burglaries, and bombings, the game is on. Only two people hold the clues. One of them is a Westing heir. The other is you!
This one is filed under: classic books you should have read when you were younger! Raskin has created a fictional masterpiece. The Westing Game won the Newberry Medal in 1979 and received praise from critics around the world. Raskin’s novel is a puzzle-mystery, with suspicion and thrill around every corner. Filled with a mix of diverse, bizarre, interesting, and a few downright lovable characters, The Westing Game is undoubtedly hilarious as well.
As an adult reading this novel, you would definitely wish the book delved further into each character. Nevertheless, the entirety of the book is satisfying for both younger and older readers. It further tackles serious issues in a lighthearted manner, such as family dynamics, marriage, and self-esteem. The Westing Game will keep you guessing, and probably leave you an emotional wreck as well. Raskin’s novel is most certainly one of the most clever and well rounded books out there for younger readers.
