The Elusive Charm of Lamont
Written: May 31 '00 (Updated May 31 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: This is my favorite book from childhood.
Cons: Absolutely none!
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| kchowell's Full Review: Lamont, the Lonely Monster |
This review is part of a write-off in which several Epinions members have written about their favorite books from childhood. Please be certain to read the contributions of the following Epinions members:
forkids, Leah, gracef, KristinThomas, caconti, cornelia, conradd, stonehousellc, Grouch, auntnono, halfsweet, taurusmoon, DoubleCoog, caravan70, kcfoxy, mshawpyle, sleestakk, emlin, CurtisEdmonds, fdknight, WorkingMomof2, expono, kimmiko, Bonies7, pogomom, Redlass,poseidon, jrk, sweetpaulie, ErgoPropterHoc & andy
As a wee Howell, I lived in a world of books. My parents were generous with my book allowance, and my childhood bookshelves were filled with young people's favorites: Dahl, Baum, Carroll and others. I spent countless hours at the library, wandering the aisles as my mother waited patiently for me to make my weekly selections. For as long as I can remember, I have loved books, and am at my most content when curled in a comfortable chair, working my way through a story that I can hardly set down.
When forkids solicited participants for her write-off of favorite children’s books, I knew immediately which book I wanted to write about. There were many stories that I enjoyed, but only one book that stood out in my mind as the book that I cherish above all others from my youth. However, as much as I adore it, I am not certain as to why Lamont, the Lonely Monster remains the book that I remember most fondly from my childhood.
After all, it’s certainly not the most intelligently written, and it’s not in possession of exceptionally lovely illustrations. It never won any awards, and it will definitely not go down in history as a classic of children’s literature. It lacks the wacky charm of any of the Dr. Suess books; it lacks the clever thrill of the Nancy Drew stories; it lacks the sweet humor of Anne of Green Gables. There is no logical or sensible reason why this book should have stood the test of time as my most beloved story.
Nevertheless, Lamont, the Lonely Monster is the book that I recall most vividly from my childhood. It’s the slim volume that I reach for every time I return to the home where I grew up. I still enjoy turning through the worn pages, and lifting the soft flaps of the Lift and Look Surprises to see what is lurking behind each of doors in Monster Mansion. Every time I’m home, I am thankful that there were no smaller Howells to tear up Lamont’s pages, and that my mother believes in keeping books forever. Lamont sits patiently on the shelf, waiting for me to return home, pick him up and read of his determined quest once again.
The story is a simple one: Lamont, the Lonely Monster, heads out into the world in search of a friend. And did you ever see a monster that looked as forlorn and sad as Lamont? Just look for a moment at his dejected posture on the cover; watch as that oversized tear threatens to roll down to his pouty monster underbite. While Lamont may be a distant cousin of the treacherous monsters that inhabit dark closets and the musty spaces beneath children’s beds, he isn’t at all scary. He’s such a sad and lonely monster that you will root for him, even when it seems doubtful that he will ever find a friend.
Once upon a time, there was a very lonely monster named Lamont. He was hairy and scary on the outside, like other monsters. On the inside, he was good and kind. More than anything else in the world, Lamont wanted a friend.
As we meet Lamont, he has taken his quest for friendship to a quiet suburban street. As Lamont is nearly the same size as the houses, his presence in the neighborhood causes quite a scene. Opening the Lift and Look window on this page reveals a young woman, screaming in terror as the misunderstood Lamont lumbers toward a quiet house. After knocking on seventy-seven doors and being turned away, he approaches a very friendly looking house. He knocks; a somewhat frightened, but genuinely polite and helpful little boy answers the door. Lamont tells the boy that he’s looking for a friend, and the boy refers him to the house at 13 Dreadful Drive. After all, the suburbs are really no place for monsters, and the boy believes that Lamont could have better luck at the haunted house across town.
Frustrated, Lamont makes his way over to the house at 13 Dreadful Drive. He is greeted at the door by Sam, the Sulky Skeleton. Sam has little interest in becoming Lamont’s friend, but he does allow Lamont to enter the house. He issues a stern warning, however…Watch out for Uriah the Heep! According to Sam, Uriah the Heep lives somewhere inside the dark interior of the house, and he is a vicious creature to be avoided and feared.
Lamont continues to make his way through the halls of the haunted house, searching behind doors and in cabinets (more Lift and Look Surprise opportunities!) for a friend. He meets a witch, a werewolf, and a many other creatures, but sadly, not one that wants to be his friend! Lamont grows increasingly frustrated and dejected, but never gives up on his desire for friendship. Although he becomes terribly frightened at the prospect of encountering Uriah the Heep, he continues searching for another creature that he can call a friend.
Eventually, deep in the darkest corner of the castle, Lamont opens a door and is pleasantly surprised by what happens to be behind it. He finally finds a friend…of course, it’s the much-maligned Uriah The Heep. Turns out that Uriah is lonely, too! Lamont and Uriah form a devoted friendship and head off into the sunset together. No kidding…the last page features Lamont the Lonely Monster walking arm-in-arm with Uriah the Heep, a blazing orange sunset lighting the page behind them.
The plot is nothing new or different, but it is sweet in its predictability. The illustrations are wonderful and expressive, with a late-sixties hippie sensibility. The drawings are slightly off-kilter pen filled in with soft, diverse watercolor-like detail. Monster Mansion is a purple and lavendar townhouse, looking just as if it was taken from a quiet San Francisco street.
My mother tells me that when she purchased this book, she had concerns that I would find the monsters to be a bit frightening. I can honestly say that other than one rendering of a sleeping vampire that is beneath a Lift and Look Surprise flap, this book didn’t frighten me at all. The monsters are of the safe, Halloween variety, and wouldn’t scare any child that can handle trick or treating without fear.
This book was one of my favorites in my pre-school days, but the Lift and Look Surprises are hard for small fingers to open. Reading this book now, I’m shocked that I never ripped any of the surprise doors off completely. They are certainly delicate, and could be torn easily.
Sadly, Lamont, the Lonely Monster is a book that isn’t readily found at your local chain bookstore. Fortunately, copies are easy to find through auction sites and online used booksellers.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
kchowell
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 - Top 1000 |
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Location: Surrounded by books somewhere in Texas
Reviews written: 132
Trusted by: 324 members
About Me:
I have a toddler and an infant. I'm too sleep-deprived to write much of anything.
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