The Book That No One Wanted to Read by Richard Ayoade

What if a book writes itself, but is determined that no one should actually read the final product?

The Book That No One Wanted to Read by Richard Ayoade. Walker Books, 2023, 128 pages.

Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12

Recommended for: Ages 10 and up

… I can say with all modesty that this might be the most important book of all time. Why? Because it’s the first book to have been written by a book. Most books are written by authors. Take it from me, authors can be quite annoying. They go on and on, filling up page after page, but they have no idea what it’s like to be a book. They think we exist just to please them! What do they know about the real experience of being a book?

Well, that’s about to change.

I’m in charge now, so stand back and fasten your seat belts—it’s going to be a bumpy read.
~page xiv

And thus, we’re off, for a very “bumpy read” full of witty one-liners, quirky illustrations, and hilarious footnotes. For those who know Richard Ayoade’s on-screen persona, you will hear this book in his dry, droll voice. Tongue-in-cheek and written directly to the reader from, presumably, the book itself, this lively book pokes good-natured fun at all the quirks in books and their readers. Sometimes, those quirks are things we readers take for granted but are now stopping to ponder: how characters in books aren’t “particular” people although we ourselves are all very unique and particular. Or, what about the sound trees make as they fall to the ground when no one is around? Even more oddly, this book doesn’t want to be read (although you, the reader, and it, the book, do come to a sort of agreement about this near the end). This book is for those who enjoy a humorous romp, perhaps especially those those who can poke fun of themselves as readers and not take themselves too seriously. You’ll probably read it one sitting, chuckling and groaning along the way.

Considerations:

Snarky humor alert! This book stops shy of outright crude humor (although there is at least one instance of “farting” being mentioned and the like), but it’s full of slapstick, snarky one-liners. I don’t remember any genuinely “bad words,” although there are times when the author will reference words that your teachers or parents might find offensive (without saying what those words actually are—just grouping them under the general idea of “bad words”).

Overall Rating: 3.5 (out of 5)

Worldview/moral value: 3.25

Artistic/literary value: 3.75

Read more about our ratings here. I received this book free from the publisher in return for a fair review.              

Also at Redeemed Reader:

Review: I’m Just No Good at Rhyming by Chris Harris and Lane Smith is in the same vein (and also hilarious).

Review: The Real Dada Mother Goose by Jon Scieszka is another funny “meta book”.

Review: Liar & Spy isn’t “funny” per se, but it’s full of heart and full of quirks.

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