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Olivetti
A heartfelt debut middle-grade told from the unique vantage points of a witty typewriter and an introverted boy.
Being a typewriter is not as easy as it looks. Surrounded by books (notorious attention hogs) and recently replaced by a computer, Olivetti has been forgotten by the Brindle family—the family he’s lived with for years. The Brindles are busy humans, apart from 12-year-old Ernest, who would rather be left alone with his collection of Oxford English Dictionaries. The least they could do was remember Olivetti once in a while, since he remembers every word they’ve typed on him. It’s a thankless job, keeping memories alive.
Olivetti gets a rare glimpse of action from Ernest’s mom, Beatrice--his used-to-be most frequent visitor—only for her to drop him off at Heartland Pawn Shop and leave him helplessly behind. When Olivetti learns Beatrice has mysteriously gone missing afterward, he believes he can help find her. He breaks the only rule of the “typewriterly code” and types back to Ernest, divulging Beatrice’s memories stored inside him.
Their search takes them across San Francisco—chasing clues, maybe committing a few misdemeanors. As Olivetti spills out the past, Ernest is forced to face what he and his family have been running from, The Everything That Happened. Only by working together will they find Beatrice, belonging, and the parts of themselves they’ve lost.
Being a typewriter is not as easy as it looks. Surrounded by books (notorious attention hogs) and recently replaced by a computer, Olivetti has been forgotten by the Brindle family—the family he’s lived with for years. The Brindles are busy humans, apart from 12-year-old Ernest, who would rather be left alone with his collection of Oxford English Dictionaries. The least they could do was remember Olivetti once in a while, since he remembers every word they’ve typed on him. It’s a thankless job, keeping memories alive.
Olivetti gets a rare glimpse of action from Ernest’s mom, Beatrice--his used-to-be most frequent visitor—only for her to drop him off at Heartland Pawn Shop and leave him helplessly behind. When Olivetti learns Beatrice has mysteriously gone missing afterward, he believes he can help find her. He breaks the only rule of the “typewriterly code” and types back to Ernest, divulging Beatrice’s memories stored inside him.
Their search takes them across San Francisco—chasing clues, maybe committing a few misdemeanors. As Olivetti spills out the past, Ernest is forced to face what he and his family have been running from, The Everything That Happened. Only by working together will they find Beatrice, belonging, and the parts of themselves they’ve lost.
5 pages, Audiobook
First published March 26, 2024
About the author
Allie Millington
2 books87 followersAllie first wrote her debut novel, OLIVETTI, on her own antique typewriter--who turned out to have an awful lot to say. She lives with her husband, their dog Crumpet, and a collection of clacking machines. You can find her on instagram (@allieinink) or possibly in her pillow fort.
Allie's second Middle Grade novel, ONCE FOR YES, releases with Macmillan Publishers in 2025. She has two picture books that will quickly follow, WHEN YOU FIND A HOPE and WHEN YOU FIND A QUESTION (Hachette Book Group).
Allie's second Middle Grade novel, ONCE FOR YES, releases with Macmillan Publishers in 2025. She has two picture books that will quickly follow, WHEN YOU FIND A HOPE and WHEN YOU FIND A QUESTION (Hachette Book Group).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 718 reviews
June 6, 2024
In a Nutshell: A middle-grade mystery with a dual narrative, one of which is from a typewriter’s pov. Had much potential but went awry in execution as it attempts too much and loses its track. It might work better for older readers, but not sure if I want to advocate this to kids.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Bookish Yays:
💎 A typewriter story in the computer/smartphone era – points for originality
💎 Olivetti’s perspective is unique. As the self-proclaimed "Keeper of memories", he offers some wry observations on humans, which are quite funny.
💎 Quinn, the pawn shop owner’s daughter: a good character, and probably the only one in this story with some depth.
💎 The cover: stunning!
Bookish Mixed Bags:
💫 The blurb just doesn’t prepare us for the content. It is much sadder than expected, covering mental health issues, life-threatening health scares, and even an intent to suicide. While I know these are topics faced by MG-level kids as well, I still don’t like the idea of such upsetting content being offered to littlies.
💫 The vocabulary is a bit on the tougher side for the target age group. Not a surprise, as Ernest is always roaming with the dictionary, but little readers might stumble over the bigger words.
💫 While the idea of personifying a typewriter is great, I wonder how many middle graders actually know what typewriters are. Or even what pawn shops are. Without the exact knowledge, they won’t get the nuances of the story.
Bookish Nays:
💣 The book seems to suffer an identity crisis as it encompasses mystery, adventure, family drama, magical realism, humour, mental health, and sick lit within a single middle-grade work. This makes the flow feel quite haphazard. (In other words, it suffers from the infamous “kitchen sink syndrome” so common in debut works.
💣 There is little character development. The four Brindle kids all have a one-noted portrayal. We barely get to know any of them except for one quirk of each.
💣 I felt sorry for the Brindle kids. Their parents seemed really selfish and shortsighted. There’s no justification for the parents’ behaviour. While MG books do contain such parents, it was odd to see these two getting away with their problematic conduct with no repercussion at all.
💣 The final quarter is a major letdown as it is much exaggerated and illogical. This section also has a couple of major logical loopholes connected to Beatrice’s behaviour and Olivetti’s memory.
💣 I don’t understand why the “Everything that happened” was kept such a secret until around midway the book. The secret could be triggering for some kids (and even some adults), so it should either have been clarified in the blurb, or mentioned as the trigger warning at the start.
🎧 The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 4 hrs 33 min, is narrated by Christopher Gebauer and Simon Vance. They both are quite good and I had no complaints about their performance.
I had grabbed this book mainly for the typewriter as I was eager to know how a typewriter’s perspective would be written. However, I found the story somewhat boring after a point simply because I couldn’t figure out what it was trying to do and the characters didn’t appeal to me at all.
Moreover, I am not sure how I would have felt had I read this as a kid, what with all the traumatising content. I guess it would work better for kids who don’t question too much and readily suspend disbelief.
Because of the content, I wouldn’t advocate it to younger middle-graders. Actually, I am not sure if I want to advocate it at all to this age group. It might work better for teens. Before investing in the book, do check out the trigger warnings listed below.
2 stars.
My thanks to Recorded Books and NetGalley for the ALC of “Olivetti”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook. Sorry this didn’t work out better.
Content warnings: Parental abandonment, social anxiety, cancer, attempt to suicide. Can I also count Olivetti’s being completely broken once as a content warning? If I were a kid, I would have been heartbroken to see him shattered like that, even if the situation was resolved after a couple of scenes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Olivetti has stayed with the Brindle family for years. Each of the Brindles – the parents and the four kids – are busy doing their own thing, and the fights are about who gets to use the new laptop while Olivetti lies ignored. He remembers the good old days when Beatrice Brindle, the mother, used to type her feelings out on him regularly. But now she has gone missing. And no one has any idea of where she could have gone, except perhaps Olivetti.
As twelve-year-old Ernest, the third of the Brindle children, is the only one who seems accessible despite always having his nose in the dictionary, Olivetti decides to break the typewriter code of conduct and communicate with Ernest, divulging Beatrice’s memories in hopes of finding some clue about her whereabouts.
The story comes to us in the alternating first person perspectives of Olivetti and Ernest.
Bookish Yays:
💎 A typewriter story in the computer/smartphone era – points for originality
💎 Olivetti’s perspective is unique. As the self-proclaimed "Keeper of memories", he offers some wry observations on humans, which are quite funny.
💎 Quinn, the pawn shop owner’s daughter: a good character, and probably the only one in this story with some depth.
💎 The cover: stunning!
Bookish Mixed Bags:
💫 The blurb just doesn’t prepare us for the content. It is much sadder than expected, covering mental health issues, life-threatening health scares, and even an intent to suicide. While I know these are topics faced by MG-level kids as well, I still don’t like the idea of such upsetting content being offered to littlies.
💫 The vocabulary is a bit on the tougher side for the target age group. Not a surprise, as Ernest is always roaming with the dictionary, but little readers might stumble over the bigger words.
💫 While the idea of personifying a typewriter is great, I wonder how many middle graders actually know what typewriters are. Or even what pawn shops are. Without the exact knowledge, they won’t get the nuances of the story.
Bookish Nays:
💣 The book seems to suffer an identity crisis as it encompasses mystery, adventure, family drama, magical realism, humour, mental health, and sick lit within a single middle-grade work. This makes the flow feel quite haphazard. (In other words, it suffers from the infamous “kitchen sink syndrome” so common in debut works.
💣 There is little character development. The four Brindle kids all have a one-noted portrayal. We barely get to know any of them except for one quirk of each.
💣 I felt sorry for the Brindle kids. Their parents seemed really selfish and shortsighted. There’s no justification for the parents’ behaviour. While MG books do contain such parents, it was odd to see these two getting away with their problematic conduct with no repercussion at all.
💣 The final quarter is a major letdown as it is much exaggerated and illogical. This section also has a couple of major logical loopholes connected to Beatrice’s behaviour and Olivetti’s memory.
💣 I don’t understand why the “Everything that happened” was kept such a secret until around midway the book. The secret could be triggering for some kids (and even some adults), so it should either have been clarified in the blurb, or mentioned as the trigger warning at the start.
🎧 The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 4 hrs 33 min, is narrated by Christopher Gebauer and Simon Vance. They both are quite good and I had no complaints about their performance.
I had grabbed this book mainly for the typewriter as I was eager to know how a typewriter’s perspective would be written. However, I found the story somewhat boring after a point simply because I couldn’t figure out what it was trying to do and the characters didn’t appeal to me at all.
Moreover, I am not sure how I would have felt had I read this as a kid, what with all the traumatising content. I guess it would work better for kids who don’t question too much and readily suspend disbelief.
Because of the content, I wouldn’t advocate it to younger middle-graders. Actually, I am not sure if I want to advocate it at all to this age group. It might work better for teens. Before investing in the book, do check out the trigger warnings listed below.
2 stars.
My thanks to Recorded Books and NetGalley for the ALC of “Olivetti”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook. Sorry this didn’t work out better.
Content warnings: Parental abandonment, social anxiety, cancer, attempt to suicide. Can I also count Olivetti’s being completely broken once as a content warning? If I were a kid, I would have been heartbroken to see him shattered like that, even if the situation was resolved after a couple of scenes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
June 3, 2024
A sweet yet sorrowful middle-grade mystery narrated by a typewriter. 🖤
I'm on BookTube! Come find me at Hello, Bookworm📚🐛
"Memories are like heartbeats. They keep things alive. They make us who we are."
I had high hopes for this book, and it did not disappoint!
Introducing Olivetti, the typewriter who spills all about how typewriters communicate, store memories, loathe books, and cherish their humans.
Olivetti has long been owned by Beatrice, but when she suddenly goes missing, it's up to Olivetti and Beatrice's son Earnest to solve the mystery of her disappearance. What follows is a tender story about hardship and recovery, replete with nuanced portrayals of life as a typewriter and an intimate look at the introverted Ernest learning how to cope with trauma.
My only gripe about this book is how often characters steal without there being much (if any) consequences for their actions. Since this is a book for children, such behavior should be accompanied by a lesson. This oversight is especially bothersome when
My favorite little detail about this book is that the typewriter's dialogue is printed in a typewriter font. Such a nice touch.
Highly recommend!
ORIGINAL POST 👇
A mystery narrated by a typewriter? Say no more; I'm buying this. 🤩
I'm on BookTube! Come find me at Hello, Bookworm📚🐛
"Memories are like heartbeats. They keep things alive. They make us who we are."
I had high hopes for this book, and it did not disappoint!
Introducing Olivetti, the typewriter who spills all about how typewriters communicate, store memories, loathe books, and cherish their humans.
Olivetti has long been owned by Beatrice, but when she suddenly goes missing, it's up to Olivetti and Beatrice's son Earnest to solve the mystery of her disappearance. What follows is a tender story about hardship and recovery, replete with nuanced portrayals of life as a typewriter and an intimate look at the introverted Ernest learning how to cope with trauma.
My only gripe about this book is how often characters steal without there being much (if any) consequences for their actions. Since this is a book for children, such behavior should be accompanied by a lesson. This oversight is especially bothersome when
My favorite little detail about this book is that the typewriter's dialogue is printed in a typewriter font. Such a nice touch.
Highly recommend!
ORIGINAL POST 👇
A mystery narrated by a typewriter? Say no more; I'm buying this. 🤩
March 31, 2024
OLIVETTI
BY: ALLIE MILLINGTON
About 3.5 stars!
A heartfelt middle grade debut told from the vantage point s of a witty typewriter and an introverted boy . Being a typewriter is not as easy as it looks, Surrounded by books (notorious attention hogs
and recently rep;aced by a computer, Olivetti has been forgotten by the Brindle family --the family he's lived with for years. The Brundles are busy humans apart from twelve year old Ernest, who would rather be left alone wit h his Oxford English Dictionaries. The least they could do is remember Olivetti once in a while, since he remembers every word they've typed on him. It's a thankless job, keeping memories alive.
Olivetti gets a rare glimpse of action from Ernest's non, Beatrice, his used to be most frequent visitor only to be most frequent visitor only for her to drop him of at Heartland Pawn Shop and leave him helplessly behind. When Olivetti learns that Beatrice has gone missing afterward he believes he can help find her. He breaks the only rule of the typewriter code and types back to Earnest , divulging Beatrice's memories stored inside him.
Their search takes them across San Francisco chasing clues, maybe committing a few misdemeanors. As Olivetti spills out the past, Ernest is forced to face what he and his family have been running from, the Everything That Happened. Only by working together will they find Beatrice, belonging , and the parts of themselves they've lost.
A cute story about how typewriters are becoming dinosaurs with the invention of laptops. This typewriter stores memories of the mother in the family who used it. Giving clues on how to locate a missing user who is the mother of the family. i thought this was an original story that educates middle graders of the importance of typewriters in the past. This typewriter becomes an animated part of this family. Cure and charming allegorical tale that reminded me how when I was in high school is how I learned to type on.
That being said I was disappointed by the unnecessary gross content that I wasn't expecting. It could be the timing but I didn't find the story was told in a more concise delivery. Maybe the younger audiences that pick this up will find it funny. I didn't. I'm no prude but I was expecting a more wholesome narrative since the publisher contains the word "Children." in it. I was expecting it aimed at children due to the synopsis.
Publication Date: March 26, 2024
Thank you to Net Galley, Allie Millington and Macmillan Childrens Publishing Group for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
#Olivetti #AllieMillington #MacmillanChildrensPublishingGroup #NetGalley
BY: ALLIE MILLINGTON
About 3.5 stars!
A heartfelt middle grade debut told from the vantage point s of a witty typewriter and an introverted boy . Being a typewriter is not as easy as it looks, Surrounded by books (notorious attention hogs
and recently rep;aced by a computer, Olivetti has been forgotten by the Brindle family --the family he's lived with for years. The Brundles are busy humans apart from twelve year old Ernest, who would rather be left alone wit h his Oxford English Dictionaries. The least they could do is remember Olivetti once in a while, since he remembers every word they've typed on him. It's a thankless job, keeping memories alive.
Olivetti gets a rare glimpse of action from Ernest's non, Beatrice, his used to be most frequent visitor only to be most frequent visitor only for her to drop him of at Heartland Pawn Shop and leave him helplessly behind. When Olivetti learns that Beatrice has gone missing afterward he believes he can help find her. He breaks the only rule of the typewriter code and types back to Earnest , divulging Beatrice's memories stored inside him.
Their search takes them across San Francisco chasing clues, maybe committing a few misdemeanors. As Olivetti spills out the past, Ernest is forced to face what he and his family have been running from, the Everything That Happened. Only by working together will they find Beatrice, belonging , and the parts of themselves they've lost.
A cute story about how typewriters are becoming dinosaurs with the invention of laptops. This typewriter stores memories of the mother in the family who used it. Giving clues on how to locate a missing user who is the mother of the family. i thought this was an original story that educates middle graders of the importance of typewriters in the past. This typewriter becomes an animated part of this family. Cure and charming allegorical tale that reminded me how when I was in high school is how I learned to type on.
That being said I was disappointed by the unnecessary gross content that I wasn't expecting. It could be the timing but I didn't find the story was told in a more concise delivery. Maybe the younger audiences that pick this up will find it funny. I didn't. I'm no prude but I was expecting a more wholesome narrative since the publisher contains the word "Children." in it. I was expecting it aimed at children due to the synopsis.
Publication Date: March 26, 2024
Thank you to Net Galley, Allie Millington and Macmillan Childrens Publishing Group for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
#Olivetti #AllieMillington #MacmillanChildrensPublishingGroup #NetGalley
October 2, 2023
I loved this book. Yes, some parts were hard, but I think that life is that way. It is not always sunshine and rainbows. We struggle, we don't understand each other, we lose ourselves, we deal with hard things.
Olivetti was an amazing character that was well written. Just the idea of your typewriter feeling left out because technology has advanced so much, made me feel sad. I love when Olivetti discusses how a book only holds one story and that a typewriter holds a lifetime of stories. I enjoyed that the typewriters could communicate with each other. Makes me want to go buy a typewriter.
Quinn was a fun, quirky character. She had a great way of doing what was needed even though it wasn't asked for.
I will be buying this book for the library. It would make for a great YA book club book.
Thank you Netgalley and Allie Millington for the ARC of this book. It was a treasure.
Merged review:
I loved this book. Yes, some parts were hard, but I think that life is that way. It is not always sunshine and rainbows. We struggle, we don't understand each other, we lose ourselves, we deal with hard things.
Olivetti was an amazing character that was well written. Just the idea of your typewriter feeling left out because technology has advanced so much, made me feel sad. I love when Olivetti discusses how a book only holds one story and that a typewriter holds a lifetime of stories. I enjoyed that the typewriters could communicate with each other. Makes me want to go buy a typewriter.
Quinn was a fun, quirky character. She had a great way of doing what was needed even though it wasn't asked for.
I will be buying this book for the library. It would make for a great YA book club book.
Thank you Netgalley and Allie Millington for the ARC of this book. It was a treasure.
Olivetti was an amazing character that was well written. Just the idea of your typewriter feeling left out because technology has advanced so much, made me feel sad. I love when Olivetti discusses how a book only holds one story and that a typewriter holds a lifetime of stories. I enjoyed that the typewriters could communicate with each other. Makes me want to go buy a typewriter.
Quinn was a fun, quirky character. She had a great way of doing what was needed even though it wasn't asked for.
I will be buying this book for the library. It would make for a great YA book club book.
Thank you Netgalley and Allie Millington for the ARC of this book. It was a treasure.
Merged review:
I loved this book. Yes, some parts were hard, but I think that life is that way. It is not always sunshine and rainbows. We struggle, we don't understand each other, we lose ourselves, we deal with hard things.
Olivetti was an amazing character that was well written. Just the idea of your typewriter feeling left out because technology has advanced so much, made me feel sad. I love when Olivetti discusses how a book only holds one story and that a typewriter holds a lifetime of stories. I enjoyed that the typewriters could communicate with each other. Makes me want to go buy a typewriter.
Quinn was a fun, quirky character. She had a great way of doing what was needed even though it wasn't asked for.
I will be buying this book for the library. It would make for a great YA book club book.
Thank you Netgalley and Allie Millington for the ARC of this book. It was a treasure.
May 23, 2024
The clickety-clack of a typewriter will forever make me think of this book and smile.
First off, LOOK at that cover. Isn’t it gorgeous? Going in, I didn’t know anything about this book. I didn’t even read the blurb. I just saw that cover and knew it had to be a part of my reading world. And boy-o-boy, am I glad I met this book.
I don’t want to spoil the emotions, mystery, and fun of this magical story by saying too much here. Just know the Brindle Family and their big-hearted typewriter, Olivetti, tackle some big, BIG issues—like illness, grief, friendship, and togetherness. This little family will teach readers of all ages the power of teamwork and love. We’re always stronger together. I forget that some days.
“All it takes is a little sticking together….And there’s nothing we can’t get through.”
Ms. Millington packs a lot into this little book. Fun to say words (like cahoots!). Perfect pacing. Loveable characters who come alive on the page. Along with the mystery. I was on the edge of my seat! Each and every clue had me flipping the pages faster and faster. And heart. The heart of this story beats fiercely! You’ll feel it.
I can’t go without shining a little light and love on Ernest Brindle though. His 12-year-old voice is so loud and clear and true. I felt his blushes and fluster and love for words. I hope you meet him. And Olivetti! I'm trying to not spoil the surprise and joy of hearing Olivetti's voice. Just come, sit, read, and listen. :)
Read this book. It’s full of dumpsters, dictionaries, family, and friends. With a powerful dash of typewriter pixie dust. This story will have you hunting down a typewriter of your own for sure.
Highly, Highly recommended.
July 5, 2024
Libby app, Overdrive was better
----
Sweet, heartfelt, with sad and happy tears moments, this one sucked me in from the beginning:).
It does make you think of some technology being unused/obsolete or vanishing and future generations not knowing it existed at all unless it's in a TV or movie. (Imagine trying to explain cd players, vhs to a couple generations in the future).
Same goes with memories too, they are precious and fragile...any moment you could lose them and not get them back (my dad has that issue.. and me too ).
The importance of keeping and sharing memories/stories... Wish I had realized it sooner. But how many of us write ✍️ down all our memories through the years? If I could time travel 😩.
Olivetti had a steadying presence... loved his personality. He felt like an old friend by the time I finished this.
Grab your tissues for a few moments throughout the story, fyi .
Would recommend, now I want to grab a physical copy next time I go to an out of town doctor appointment:).
----
Sweet, heartfelt, with sad and happy tears moments, this one sucked me in from the beginning:).
It does make you think of some technology being unused/obsolete or vanishing and future generations not knowing it existed at all unless it's in a TV or movie. (Imagine trying to explain cd players, vhs to a couple generations in the future).
Same goes with memories too, they are precious and fragile...any moment you could lose them and not get them back (my dad has that issue.. and me too ).
The importance of keeping and sharing memories/stories... Wish I had realized it sooner. But how many of us write ✍️ down all our memories through the years? If I could time travel 😩.
Olivetti had a steadying presence... loved his personality. He felt like an old friend by the time I finished this.
Grab your tissues for a few moments throughout the story, fyi .
Would recommend, now I want to grab a physical copy next time I go to an out of town doctor appointment:).
June 23, 2024
Olivetti is our Reading Middle Grade June 2024 Book Club pick.
We'll be in conversation with Allie Millington on June 28, 2024. Join us.
In this exceptional debut novel, a boy and a typewriter work together to solve the mystery of his missing mother.
The Brindley family has been through the wringer but seems to be on the mend after "Everything that happened before" when all of a sudden, their mother leaves the house in tears, witnessed only by her Olivetti typewriter, which she pawns immediately for the precise sum of $126. The pawn shop owner's daughter accosts Ernest, the third out of four Brindley kids, right after he steals back the Olivetti, which he discovers can type back in response. The two work together, Ernest, reluctant, Quinn confident and opinionated, to retrace his mother's steps and figure out why she ran away.
This reads like an instant classic, and although some readers may be dubious about the talking typewriter element, it is excellently executed — better than many anthropomorphized animals and creatures have been in books. It's a bit of an unexpected tearjerker, but so sweet and so real — and yes, you will ADORE Olivetti's wit and heart, and you will wish you had a talking typewriter, too.
And for the educators and librarians wondering, kids are LOVING this book and discovering typewriters, so it's not "just for adults." It is also lovely on audio and will appeal to fans of books with inanimate protagonists like A ROVER'S STORY and WISHTREE.
Originally reviewed in my March 2024 new releases post.
We'll be in conversation with Allie Millington on June 28, 2024. Join us.
In this exceptional debut novel, a boy and a typewriter work together to solve the mystery of his missing mother.
The Brindley family has been through the wringer but seems to be on the mend after "Everything that happened before" when all of a sudden, their mother leaves the house in tears, witnessed only by her Olivetti typewriter, which she pawns immediately for the precise sum of $126. The pawn shop owner's daughter accosts Ernest, the third out of four Brindley kids, right after he steals back the Olivetti, which he discovers can type back in response. The two work together, Ernest, reluctant, Quinn confident and opinionated, to retrace his mother's steps and figure out why she ran away.
This reads like an instant classic, and although some readers may be dubious about the talking typewriter element, it is excellently executed — better than many anthropomorphized animals and creatures have been in books. It's a bit of an unexpected tearjerker, but so sweet and so real — and yes, you will ADORE Olivetti's wit and heart, and you will wish you had a talking typewriter, too.
And for the educators and librarians wondering, kids are LOVING this book and discovering typewriters, so it's not "just for adults." It is also lovely on audio and will appeal to fans of books with inanimate protagonists like A ROVER'S STORY and WISHTREE.
Originally reviewed in my March 2024 new releases post.
June 30, 2024
Every once in a while, a book comes along and becomes a new friend, a warm hug when you need one. Olivetti... definitely one of those.
Though nothing like it, I think lovers of A Place to Hang the Moon might enjoy this one as long as sentient typewriters don't bother you.
Having all the memories of everything Ernest's mother ever typed, Olivetti the typewriter helps him and his family find truth, forgiveness, and healing when everything that can go wrong nearly does.
It's also a lovely lesson in not forgetting the simple things in an age when the new and shiny are thrust at us on a regular basis.
Best of all, it's the story of families, connection, and never giving up on each other.
It's the story of life.
Though nothing like it, I think lovers of A Place to Hang the Moon might enjoy this one as long as sentient typewriters don't bother you.
Having all the memories of everything Ernest's mother ever typed, Olivetti the typewriter helps him and his family find truth, forgiveness, and healing when everything that can go wrong nearly does.
It's also a lovely lesson in not forgetting the simple things in an age when the new and shiny are thrust at us on a regular basis.
Best of all, it's the story of families, connection, and never giving up on each other.
It's the story of life.
March 23, 2024
This was okay, but never really rose above that. The cover is gorgeous. I think the bones of the story have a lot of potential, and thought the blurb sounded right up my alley. But the writing and characters never fully drew me in.
I did like the dual narration, one narrator for the chapters from Ernest's POV and one for Olivetti's chapters. I think I enjoyed the audiobook more than I would have the print, because it did up my engagement some and brought a little more life to Olivetti in particular. I've liked books narrated by Simon Vance, who voices Olivetti, in the past, and again enjoyed the narration here, though I was slightly bothered by the accent so many British people seem to do when voicing Americans, which didn't really fit the way any of the characters sounded when voiced by the American narrator. So while I liked his narration for Olivetti, when he voiced the other characters during those chapters I wasn't the biggest fan.
I think part of the problem for me with this book was the story trying to do too much. There's the typewriter being sentient, Ernest having no friends and really struggling, the family's past struggles and current emotional distance, a new friend Ernest meets and has trouble trusting and opening up to, a serious mystery to solve, and more. I think that just focusing on on the family would have tightened the story up a lot and made more room for character growth. As it was, each family member apart from the main character had one personality trait repeated over and over again and we knew little else about them or their relationships with one another. I usually ADORE sentient objects and robots and such in stories but I felt nothing for Olivetti. Even the typewriter didn't have enough personality to be a really engaging character. I just wanted to feel something while reading this story, a little bit of magic or strong emotion, but I never did.
I have some reservations about a book where a parent's past battle with cancer, and their cancer returning are the sort of hidden aspects of the story that are alluded to for a long time before finally being revealed. I definitely think these topics belong in books for this age group. But I don't think it's appropriate for students to be taken by surprise by them in a book, the way they are intended to here. I think that Ernest and his father and mother's navigating these incredibly difficult situations was well portrayed, but I think the story could have worked well if it had unfolded in a way where these weren't kept secret from the reader for so long. I hope that the actual book will have content warnings at the start.
I was kind of flummoxed by the emphasis on Ernest never using his phone at all. We're told this is because he has no friends to call or text with. But the internet exists. It's awesome that he has a fixation on the dictionary and really enjoys that, but there are surely groups for people who love the dictionary and games for kids who love words along with worlds of information and books and other things to delve into. I just found that aspect of the story quite odd.
I also found the worldbuilding around typewriters being sentient (such a fun idea!) to be lacking and not particularly interesting. Again, so much potential, but it never really went anywhere.
Again, this felt very much like a story I would love, but the characters and writing never quite reached that memorable magic that the best books have. This would merit an additional purchase in my school library, as long as it contained content warnings so students weren't caught unawares by the difficult topics which might inspire a lot of anxiety in students who have faced similar family situations.
*Audio ARC provided by NetGalley.
I did like the dual narration, one narrator for the chapters from Ernest's POV and one for Olivetti's chapters. I think I enjoyed the audiobook more than I would have the print, because it did up my engagement some and brought a little more life to Olivetti in particular. I've liked books narrated by Simon Vance, who voices Olivetti, in the past, and again enjoyed the narration here, though I was slightly bothered by the accent so many British people seem to do when voicing Americans, which didn't really fit the way any of the characters sounded when voiced by the American narrator. So while I liked his narration for Olivetti, when he voiced the other characters during those chapters I wasn't the biggest fan.
I think part of the problem for me with this book was the story trying to do too much. There's the typewriter being sentient, Ernest having no friends and really struggling, the family's past struggles and current emotional distance, a new friend Ernest meets and has trouble trusting and opening up to, a serious mystery to solve, and more. I think that just focusing on on the family would have tightened the story up a lot and made more room for character growth. As it was, each family member apart from the main character had one personality trait repeated over and over again and we knew little else about them or their relationships with one another. I usually ADORE sentient objects and robots and such in stories but I felt nothing for Olivetti. Even the typewriter didn't have enough personality to be a really engaging character. I just wanted to feel something while reading this story, a little bit of magic or strong emotion, but I never did.
I have some reservations about a book where a parent's past battle with cancer, and their cancer returning are the sort of hidden aspects of the story that are alluded to for a long time before finally being revealed. I definitely think these topics belong in books for this age group. But I don't think it's appropriate for students to be taken by surprise by them in a book, the way they are intended to here. I think that Ernest and his father and mother's navigating these incredibly difficult situations was well portrayed, but I think the story could have worked well if it had unfolded in a way where these weren't kept secret from the reader for so long. I hope that the actual book will have content warnings at the start.
I was kind of flummoxed by the emphasis on Ernest never using his phone at all. We're told this is because he has no friends to call or text with. But the internet exists. It's awesome that he has a fixation on the dictionary and really enjoys that, but there are surely groups for people who love the dictionary and games for kids who love words along with worlds of information and books and other things to delve into. I just found that aspect of the story quite odd.
I also found the worldbuilding around typewriters being sentient (such a fun idea!) to be lacking and not particularly interesting. Again, so much potential, but it never really went anywhere.
Again, this felt very much like a story I would love, but the characters and writing never quite reached that memorable magic that the best books have. This would merit an additional purchase in my school library, as long as it contained content warnings so students weren't caught unawares by the difficult topics which might inspire a lot of anxiety in students who have faced similar family situations.
*Audio ARC provided by NetGalley.
April 1, 2024
Olivetti is a debut middle grade novel told simultaneously from the perspectives of both a boy and a typewriter. I loved the idea of a typewriter remembering all the words that are typed into it and having a “speaking part” in a novel, which is why I was initially drawn to this book.
The story here is cute and enjoyable with some funny and adventurous moments while also discussing some more serious topics such as grief, parental absence, prolonged sickness, and ostracized friends in a way that is gentle enough to be accessible for young readers while still communicating a powerful message.
Ernest is searching for his missing mother, and his only clue is the typewriter she left behind that remembers every word she typed into it over the years. He unexpectedly teams up with Quinn, a quirky and outgoing girl who was a sort of comedic relief to the more serious nature of Ernest. The two of them, along with Olivetti the typewriter, go on a journey of solving clues and confronting difficult truths while learning about the power of friendship along the way.
One thing I loved about this novel is that it’s very clever and for “word nerds” as Ernest loves reading the dictionary and learning new words. He copes with stressful situations by citing words from the dictionary in alphabetical order that relate to his current situation. I thought that was a unique but fun hobby for a 12-year-old boy to have, and readers who love words (like myself) will really identify with him.
Overall, I thought Olivetti was a delightful novel that was highly enjoyable for an adult like myself but also perfectly written for the middle grade target audience. I would recommend checking out this story, and I’m looking forward to reading more books by this author in the future.
The story here is cute and enjoyable with some funny and adventurous moments while also discussing some more serious topics such as grief, parental absence, prolonged sickness, and ostracized friends in a way that is gentle enough to be accessible for young readers while still communicating a powerful message.
Ernest is searching for his missing mother, and his only clue is the typewriter she left behind that remembers every word she typed into it over the years. He unexpectedly teams up with Quinn, a quirky and outgoing girl who was a sort of comedic relief to the more serious nature of Ernest. The two of them, along with Olivetti the typewriter, go on a journey of solving clues and confronting difficult truths while learning about the power of friendship along the way.
One thing I loved about this novel is that it’s very clever and for “word nerds” as Ernest loves reading the dictionary and learning new words. He copes with stressful situations by citing words from the dictionary in alphabetical order that relate to his current situation. I thought that was a unique but fun hobby for a 12-year-old boy to have, and readers who love words (like myself) will really identify with him.
Overall, I thought Olivetti was a delightful novel that was highly enjoyable for an adult like myself but also perfectly written for the middle grade target audience. I would recommend checking out this story, and I’m looking forward to reading more books by this author in the future.
March 20, 2024
Title: Olivetti by Allie Milington
Publication Date- 03/26/24
Publisher- RB Media
Overall Rating- 5 out of 5 stars
Review: Review copy given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
First and foremost the audio production was spectacular. Very distinct voices between characters and performed in a way that the age group could hear without feeling bored.
Outside of that, I also felt this was a very powerful story. It’s heartbreaking at times and could lead to some tears. However, this is one of those stories that could spark a lot of conversation between families and answer questions that are often avoided. If I had a child I would read this with them and use it as a tool to answer questions about grief and anticipatory grief.
Not only is the story well written but the characters both main and side are very likable. Even as an adult reading this story I made notes of quotes that I appreciated.
All in all a very important story for young people and adults alike. Has some magical realism that made it more interesting and took some weight off the heaviness that comes with some of the topics discussed. Very cute and also thought provoking, a good balance between the two.
Publication Date- 03/26/24
Publisher- RB Media
Overall Rating- 5 out of 5 stars
Review: Review copy given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
First and foremost the audio production was spectacular. Very distinct voices between characters and performed in a way that the age group could hear without feeling bored.
Outside of that, I also felt this was a very powerful story. It’s heartbreaking at times and could lead to some tears. However, this is one of those stories that could spark a lot of conversation between families and answer questions that are often avoided. If I had a child I would read this with them and use it as a tool to answer questions about grief and anticipatory grief.
Not only is the story well written but the characters both main and side are very likable. Even as an adult reading this story I made notes of quotes that I appreciated.
All in all a very important story for young people and adults alike. Has some magical realism that made it more interesting and took some weight off the heaviness that comes with some of the topics discussed. Very cute and also thought provoking, a good balance between the two.
May 18, 2024
I had an Olivetti typewriter once. Interestingly enough (for me at least), I was 12 at that time - the same age as Ernest and Beatrice. It had its own wheeled stand in my bedroom. The first reports I ever wrote were on my Olivetti. My first report ever in this world was tapped out on Olive (I name everything) about eels. You can surely understand why I felt like I was being contacted from a bestie from my long-ago childhood when this remarkable book popped onto my list. I was only momentarily dismayed when I came to understand that Olivetti in the book was not a female. Not an Olive. He was a Mr. Olivetti. (More like an older Dad, or younger Grandfather, or Bachelor Uncle.)
Olivetti is narrated by Himself - a tangible with an agenda. In our imaginary world we are constantly personifying inanimate objects, animals, planets, naturally occurring life processes. . .well this clever author has turned it around. Readers get to see family life through the keys and keystrokes, ink on paper, and patience with the process of typewriter operations. One's WPM rate is once again relevant as a measure of skill and dedication.
As the situations that needed resolution began to occur, the responses of the Brindle family members - especially Earnest Ernest, and his feisty friend Beatrice - and those of Olivetti and his buddies (Remi), kept me paying close attention. Each unfolding chapter thrilled the inner child I was so long ago (she's still present), and the elder child I am now just sat back and enjoyed (rather beside myself, so to speak) the entire read.
I so look forward to whatever Allie Millington next presents her readership!
*A sincere thank you to Allie Millington, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Feiwel & Friends, RB Media, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #Olivetti #NetGalley
Olivetti is narrated by Himself - a tangible with an agenda. In our imaginary world we are constantly personifying inanimate objects, animals, planets, naturally occurring life processes. . .well this clever author has turned it around. Readers get to see family life through the keys and keystrokes, ink on paper, and patience with the process of typewriter operations. One's WPM rate is once again relevant as a measure of skill and dedication.
As the situations that needed resolution began to occur, the responses of the Brindle family members - especially Earnest Ernest, and his feisty friend Beatrice - and those of Olivetti and his buddies (Remi), kept me paying close attention. Each unfolding chapter thrilled the inner child I was so long ago (she's still present), and the elder child I am now just sat back and enjoyed (rather beside myself, so to speak) the entire read.
I so look forward to whatever Allie Millington next presents her readership!
*A sincere thank you to Allie Millington, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Feiwel & Friends, RB Media, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #Olivetti #NetGalley
June 15, 2024
I’ve always had a fascination with typewriters, so I knew I had to read and own a copy of this one. One of my favorite things to do is browse antique stories and imagine all the stories the items could tell if they would. But it’s never hit me that typewriters probably hold the best stories. This story was just so tender and sweet. I highly recommend it and you’ll probably want to hug it when you’re done.
April 3, 2024
Leaving this review with happy, teary eyes for this sweet, emotional, heartwarming book!
It’s middle grade but as an adult, I really enjoyed it.
It’s middle grade but as an adult, I really enjoyed it.
March 26, 2024
Narrated from the perspective of a typewriter and a young boy, this is a pleasing story of a family that is emotional and humorous. I have so many quotes that I loved reading here that they had to be mentioned at the bottom.
The story is about a typewriter counting his days in the dark corner after being replaced by modern gadgets until one day a person in the family goes missing. Olivetti (the typewriter) believes he can finally be of help, but to do that, he will have to break one of the most conspicuous rules of their world.
Olivetti is next-level witty and the sarcastic charisma of the writing style worked so well for me. It is an overall light-hearted middle-grade book but I would recommend my fellow readers to check the content disclaimers too. The narration style reminded me of the book 'Remarkably bright creatures' and I think the book will be perfect for the fans.
Thanks to @netgalley @macmillanusa @allieinink for the ARC.
Genre: #middlegrade #fiction
Disclaimers: #cancer #therapy #mentalwelbeing
Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️
Favourite Quote:
"If they just read the Oxford English Dictionary, they'd see both expressions were in there. They were both idioms and idioms are phrases that don't follow any kind of logic. My family apparently wasn't following any logic either because they were fighting over figures of speech. They were acting like a bunch of idioms" 🤣🤣🤣
The story is about a typewriter counting his days in the dark corner after being replaced by modern gadgets until one day a person in the family goes missing. Olivetti (the typewriter) believes he can finally be of help, but to do that, he will have to break one of the most conspicuous rules of their world.
Olivetti is next-level witty and the sarcastic charisma of the writing style worked so well for me. It is an overall light-hearted middle-grade book but I would recommend my fellow readers to check the content disclaimers too. The narration style reminded me of the book 'Remarkably bright creatures' and I think the book will be perfect for the fans.
Thanks to @netgalley @macmillanusa @allieinink for the ARC.
Genre: #middlegrade #fiction
Disclaimers: #cancer #therapy #mentalwelbeing
Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️
Favourite Quote:
"If they just read the Oxford English Dictionary, they'd see both expressions were in there. They were both idioms and idioms are phrases that don't follow any kind of logic. My family apparently wasn't following any logic either because they were fighting over figures of speech. They were acting like a bunch of idioms" 🤣🤣🤣
April 21, 2024
Olivetti is everything I love in a middle grade book! It has it all: family, friends, a librarian, magic, plus references to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I read it in one afternoon and had a good, little cry when it was done.
5⭐️
5⭐️
July 9, 2024
Don’t you see? We bought you when you were broken. Even though you were in pieces, you were worth saving.
A very sweet, lively story about how much effort we put towards not facing or remembering the hard aspects of life. Olivetti and Ernest are both compelling and hilarious narrators, patching together their respective memories to make sense of a sudden loss.
I got very caught up in this. I relate intensely to the unsuccessful misery we put ourselves through to feel like we have any control over what happens to us.
Olivetti is a great kids’ book about grief and vulnerability. It is emphatic about the courage it takes to love each other in a fleeting world, and especially the courage it takes to recapture nostalgia and hope after that world has been rocked (pun intended). It kind of meant a lot to me? I kind of want to own it and have it? I also want to own a typewriter for some reason? The cover is also gorgeous?
Things certainly got tied up a little too nicely at the end, and I would have preferred a more ambiguous ending. But also I wanted everyone to be okay and they were and sometimes that is nice as well.
For fans of This Adventure Ends, The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street, and When You Reach Me.
May 14, 2024
“Together is the only way forward.”
By far one of my favorite reads of 2024.
Let me just start by saying, the idea to give a sort of magical existence to a typewriter is absolutely brilliant. Olivetti lends a bit of class and maturity to the story, a stability to the emotional turmoil of twelve-year-old Ernest and his family. Even if, yes, Olivetti does show emotion sometimes. The entire cast of characters, even those who didn’t have a POV were captivating and well-rounded.
The first few minutes of this book had me laughing, and even though it soon became heartbreaking, mysterious, and then sweet, humor danced along the lines of this beautifully narrated story. (So, hats off to Allie Millington—but also to Christopher Gebauer and Simon Vance for the audiobook version.)
Allie weaves such a compelling tale of what it’s like to walk through life not having all the pieces of the puzzle; navigating hurt and healing amid the uncertainty; and embracing the people who just show up along the way (like Quinn).
I can’t say enough good things about this book, and yet, I could go on and on. But I don’t want you to spoil the experience for you—you’ll just have to check it out. And I recommend that you do.
Content notes: mentions of cancer; depression; family issues; divorce
By far one of my favorite reads of 2024.
Let me just start by saying, the idea to give a sort of magical existence to a typewriter is absolutely brilliant. Olivetti lends a bit of class and maturity to the story, a stability to the emotional turmoil of twelve-year-old Ernest and his family. Even if, yes, Olivetti does show emotion sometimes. The entire cast of characters, even those who didn’t have a POV were captivating and well-rounded.
The first few minutes of this book had me laughing, and even though it soon became heartbreaking, mysterious, and then sweet, humor danced along the lines of this beautifully narrated story. (So, hats off to Allie Millington—but also to Christopher Gebauer and Simon Vance for the audiobook version.)
Allie weaves such a compelling tale of what it’s like to walk through life not having all the pieces of the puzzle; navigating hurt and healing amid the uncertainty; and embracing the people who just show up along the way (like Quinn).
I can’t say enough good things about this book, and yet, I could go on and on. But I don’t want you to spoil the experience for you—you’ll just have to check it out. And I recommend that you do.
Content notes: mentions of cancer; depression; family issues; divorce
May 14, 2024
This was a fun middle-grade read. However, the premise of the book in my mind was “mom runs away. Kid uses a typewriter that communicates mom’s memories to help him find her”. And I wanted more memories! For a book about a typing typewriter and memories, there was far less talking typewriter and memories than I was hoping for. But knowing it’s a middle-grade book, I should not have expected it to be more about the kid than the mom.
June 15, 2024
Super sweet and heartfelt book with a unique take on typewriters. A bit heavy, but so good.
June 21, 2024
3.5 stars
"It's an important job, being a protector of memories."
With a simplistic writing style and a story idea that was anything but, this was a nice, quiet novel. I didn't love the ending, but the cast of characters was very well done and the cover is beautiful!
"It's an important job, being a protector of memories."
With a simplistic writing style and a story idea that was anything but, this was a nice, quiet novel. I didn't love the ending, but the cast of characters was very well done and the cover is beautiful!
February 15, 2024
Heartwarming. Full review to come soon
July 8, 2024
Absolutely precious. Clever, funny, sad — we listened to it on audio as a family (parents, 14yo, 10yo) and we all LOVED it.
Highly, highly recommended!
CW: cancer
Highly, highly recommended!
CW: cancer
March 22, 2024
Thank you RB Media | Recorded Books for allowing me to read and review Olivetti on NetGalley.
Published: 03/26/24
Narrators: Christopher Gebauer, Simon Vance
Stars: 0
The synopsis does not prepare the reader for what they are going to tackle. This surpasses hurting someone's feelings (trigger warnings). The cover tells a story: a writer, happy. The synopsis relays a heartfelt debut -- not what I read.
The book opens with the talking typewriter (Vance). I laughed and was ready for a nice feel good story. Millington does capture human traits on the typewriter really well. Some things you just have to read for yourself: she clearly has talent. And I believe her storytelling will improve. My problem is with the synopsis.
Spoiler: A mother of three walks away from her family that is still hurting from a cancer diagnosis previously and their inability to communicate with each other adds to the trauma. Later on it is learned the cancer has returned in the mother. The bottomline is through a series of events the family finds the mother in what sounded like a position to unalive herself. Yes, the kids were there.
The story went unexpectedly dark. This is middle grade fiction. The synopsis needs to reflect the story.
The narration was good.
I'm finding it hard to be complimentary at all. I can't help but see an innocent child judging a book by its cover leading to a story with an abandoning parent, a loud grouchy parent left in the house and the humor of a talking typewriter. This feels wrong on many levels to me. NetGalley does not accept zero stars.
Published: 03/26/24
Narrators: Christopher Gebauer, Simon Vance
Stars: 0
The synopsis does not prepare the reader for what they are going to tackle. This surpasses hurting someone's feelings (trigger warnings). The cover tells a story: a writer, happy. The synopsis relays a heartfelt debut -- not what I read.
The book opens with the talking typewriter (Vance). I laughed and was ready for a nice feel good story. Millington does capture human traits on the typewriter really well. Some things you just have to read for yourself: she clearly has talent. And I believe her storytelling will improve. My problem is with the synopsis.
Spoiler: A mother of three walks away from her family that is still hurting from a cancer diagnosis previously and their inability to communicate with each other adds to the trauma. Later on it is learned the cancer has returned in the mother. The bottomline is through a series of events the family finds the mother in what sounded like a position to unalive herself. Yes, the kids were there.
The story went unexpectedly dark. This is middle grade fiction. The synopsis needs to reflect the story.
The narration was good.
I'm finding it hard to be complimentary at all. I can't help but see an innocent child judging a book by its cover leading to a story with an abandoning parent, a loud grouchy parent left in the house and the humor of a talking typewriter. This feels wrong on many levels to me. NetGalley does not accept zero stars.
July 29, 2024
My heart—this was so cute!
Millington captured the essence of middle grade fiction. It reminded me so much of Kate DiCamillo’s style—heart-warming & heart-breaking stories that mean something.
While I’d personally consider this as straddling an age bracket of ideally 11-15, it’s truly enjoyable at any age.
The concept of a “talking” typewriter captured my heart immediately, and it creates such a unique angle as the story is told between 2 POVs—young Ernest and Olivetti, the typewriter.
The Brindles are a breaking family. Each family member is lost in their own world (work, sports, school, theatre, etc.) to cope with heartache in a quiet desperation. But a missing mother forces them together… to admit they need help… to admit they need each other.
Between that missing mother and the silent boy Ernest is Olivetti, the faithful old typewriter who gives them the words they need… the words they couldn’t say. The words of togetherness forever.
My eyes grew misty. I grinned with amusement. And my heart swelled three sizes. So beautiful! 😭💛
Millington captured the essence of middle grade fiction. It reminded me so much of Kate DiCamillo’s style—heart-warming & heart-breaking stories that mean something.
While I’d personally consider this as straddling an age bracket of ideally 11-15, it’s truly enjoyable at any age.
The concept of a “talking” typewriter captured my heart immediately, and it creates such a unique angle as the story is told between 2 POVs—young Ernest and Olivetti, the typewriter.
The Brindles are a breaking family. Each family member is lost in their own world (work, sports, school, theatre, etc.) to cope with heartache in a quiet desperation. But a missing mother forces them together… to admit they need help… to admit they need each other.
Between that missing mother and the silent boy Ernest is Olivetti, the faithful old typewriter who gives them the words they need… the words they couldn’t say. The words of togetherness forever.
My eyes grew misty. I grinned with amusement. And my heart swelled three sizes. So beautiful! 😭💛
July 30, 2024
This was just a story about a typewriter and the family that owns it. Except that one of the family go missing and one of the family members makes it a priority, emotionally and physically, to find the missing person. With the assistance of Olivetti, of course, as the typewriter has been a member of the family, as well, and has quite a bit of information to share.
And this is just a personal thing, but we aren’t really told the sex of Olivetti. And, perhaps this says more about me than the writer but I heard Olivetti in my head while I was reading as a female. Later in the book there are references to ‘he’ and ‘him’. However, this didn’t really change the voice. It remained female. I wondered why the writer had decided to make this character male. I mean, the name even contains a female associated name of Olive. It didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the book, but it was quite jarring when Olivetti was referred to as a male when I didn’t have that experience going on in my head at any time.
And this is just a personal thing, but we aren’t really told the sex of Olivetti. And, perhaps this says more about me than the writer but I heard Olivetti in my head while I was reading as a female. Later in the book there are references to ‘he’ and ‘him’. However, this didn’t really change the voice. It remained female. I wondered why the writer had decided to make this character male. I mean, the name even contains a female associated name of Olive. It didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the book, but it was quite jarring when Olivetti was referred to as a male when I didn’t have that experience going on in my head at any time.
March 17, 2024
Olivetti
by Allie Millington
“Memories are like heartbeats. They keep things alive. They make us who we are.”
The day his mom, Beatrice, went missing, Ernest Brindle realized he hadn’t spoken to her for seven days. They had argued over an appointment with yet another therapist. He’d told her that he didn’t want to talk to anyone, not even her. Why didn’t she understand that all he was trying to do was forget the “Everything That Happened.” Now she was missing, and it was all his fault!
Olivetti has been displaced by that attention hog, the lap top. He was once a beloved typewriter and sat in the place of honor on Beatrice’s desk. Olivetti was a trustworthy keeper of stories, memories and secrets, and now he is all but forgotten. But when Beatrice disappears, Olivetti may be the key to discovering where she’s gone.
Ernest and his family are a bit of a mess. They’ve been through a rough time and in the aftermath, they are not as close, are preoccupied with their own pursuits and have forgotten who they were as a family. The Brindles will have to band together, along with the trusty Olivetti and their friends to find Beatrice.
I was so happy to have read Olivetti for Middle Grade March. It managed to be both heartwarming and charming as it navigated big issues. The book speaks to the comfort and resilience possible in both biological and found families. It is an ode to the power of the written word and story. Some readers will have a hard time buying into Beatrice’s disappearence, but go with it, it’s worth the ride.
Many thanks to the author Allie Millington, @MacKidsBooks and @NetGalley for the pleasure of reading this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
by Allie Millington
“Memories are like heartbeats. They keep things alive. They make us who we are.”
The day his mom, Beatrice, went missing, Ernest Brindle realized he hadn’t spoken to her for seven days. They had argued over an appointment with yet another therapist. He’d told her that he didn’t want to talk to anyone, not even her. Why didn’t she understand that all he was trying to do was forget the “Everything That Happened.” Now she was missing, and it was all his fault!
Olivetti has been displaced by that attention hog, the lap top. He was once a beloved typewriter and sat in the place of honor on Beatrice’s desk. Olivetti was a trustworthy keeper of stories, memories and secrets, and now he is all but forgotten. But when Beatrice disappears, Olivetti may be the key to discovering where she’s gone.
Ernest and his family are a bit of a mess. They’ve been through a rough time and in the aftermath, they are not as close, are preoccupied with their own pursuits and have forgotten who they were as a family. The Brindles will have to band together, along with the trusty Olivetti and their friends to find Beatrice.
I was so happy to have read Olivetti for Middle Grade March. It managed to be both heartwarming and charming as it navigated big issues. The book speaks to the comfort and resilience possible in both biological and found families. It is an ode to the power of the written word and story. Some readers will have a hard time buying into Beatrice’s disappearence, but go with it, it’s worth the ride.
Many thanks to the author Allie Millington, @MacKidsBooks and @NetGalley for the pleasure of reading this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 13, 2024
A typewriter called Olivetti has been mostly forgotten by his family, the Brindles. After Beatrice, a member of the Brindle family, sells him to a pawn shop and then goes missing, Olivetti decides to type back to a human and team up with Beatrice’s son to find Beatrice.
All of the main characters were likable, the dual POV between Olivetti and Beatrice’s son, Ernest, worked well, and I found Olivetti’s hatred/bloodlust for books to be a surprising and interesting detail.
Overall, it was a great book.
All of the main characters were likable, the dual POV between Olivetti and Beatrice’s son, Ernest, worked well, and I found Olivetti’s hatred/bloodlust for books to be a surprising and interesting detail.
Overall, it was a great book.
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May 6, 2024I really enjoyed this as an audiobook.
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