Cheaper By The Dozen

I just finished reading "Cheaper By The Dozen" for the first time.  Though I grew up familiar with the film, I had never tapped into the book.  The worn orange hardback was purchased a good six months ago, and now with the joy of graduation and, well, no job, I had ample time to read it.  So ample, in fact, that one might say I devoured the book, reading it in about two days.

A few complaints about the book, actually I only have one: the ending.  It felt as though the author was keeping consistent with his usual tone when all of the sudden it was the last chapter and the dad died.  Seeing that the whole book was shaped around the corky father his death was dramatic and depressing, yet it was just sort of flopped onto the reader like a cold pancake (I have always thought pancakes should be hot, and if they became cold it seems like the strangest food).  

Aside from the above compliant "Cheaper By The Dozen" was an instant favorite -- honest, it was that good.  There were no rocks in the book; the whole story seemed to flow delightfully, twisting and turning with the little tales, but never forced.  What was interesting about the book was that it was really just a compliation of childhood anecdotes -- that was basically it.  Somehow, though, the author made it far grander.

The single best attribute of the book was the wit.  I found it so funny that I had to read lines aloud to whomever I was sitting near at the time, and if in the usual case there was no one around to listen, I would -- with dignity -- read the line aloud to myself and chuckle.  Perhaps faintly calling the person in the next room in high hopes they would come to their senses and rush into my room to hear the wonderful, witty line.

Then of course there was "Dear 'Ol Dad," who didn't much like being called " 'Ol " at that.  That man alone set the book to life, and the author did a phenomenal job making sure this happened.

Clean, unique, witty, purposeful, and timeless, I give this story a nine out of ten, though much closer to an eight than a ten.  My biggest concern is why it has taken me twenty-one years to read it.  Oh well, better late than never ... or something like that.