Summary
The Westing Game, a 1978 children's mystery novel by Ellen Raskin, has captivated readers for decades with its intricate plot and memorable characters. This Newbery Medal-winning book tells the story of sixteen unlikely heirs competing for a wealthy businessman's fortune. Raskin's masterful storytelling and clever puzzles have made it a staple in children's literature.
The novel has received numerous accolades, including the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award and recognition as an ALA Notable Book. Critics have praised its sharp wit and confounding cleverness, with Booklist giving it a starred review. In 2012, School Library Journal ranked it ninth among all-time children's novels, cementing its place in the literary canon. While The Westing Game has primarily remained a beloved book, it has also been adapted for other media.
Plot
In Ellen Raskin's The Westing Game, sixteen seemingly unrelated individuals are brought together for the reading of eccentric millionaire Sam Westing's will. The deceased tycoon reveals that one of them is responsible for his death and challenges the group to solve the mystery. The heir who uncovers the truth will inherit Westing's vast fortune and control of his company.
The potential heirs are paired off and given cryptic clues to decipher. Among them are the Wexler family, including 13-year-old Turtle and her older sister Angela; Chris Theodorakis, a wheelchair-bound teenager; Judge J.J. Ford; and various other colorful characters residing in the nearby Sunset Towers apartment complex. As they work to solve the puzzle, unexpected alliances form and long-held secrets come to light.
Throughout the game, suspicion falls on different participants, with some believing that Crow, the building's cleaning woman, may be the culprit. However, young Turtle Wexler proves to be particularly adept at unraveling the mystery. She begins to suspect that there's more to the game than meets the eye, and that Sam Westing himself may not be as dead as everyone believes.
In a surprising twist, Turtle discovers that Westing has been alive all along, orchestrating the entire game under various disguises. She follows the final clue to confront him, living under the alias “Julian Eastman.” Westing declares Turtle the winner but swears her to secrecy. The story concludes with an epilogue set twenty years later, revealing how the game has impacted the lives of all involved, with Westing having served as Turtle's mentor until his actual death on July 4th, two decades after the game's conclusion.
Themes
Identity and deception
Puzzle-solving and game-playing
Greed and materialism
Family dynamics and relationships
Social class and status
Coming of age and personal growth
Justice and redemption
Setting
The Westing Game takes place in the late 1970s, reflecting the era in which it was written and published. The story unfolds primarily in the fictional Sunset Towers apartment building and the nearby Westing estate, both located on the shores of Lake Michigan in Wisconsin. This setting provides a backdrop that is both familiar and mysterious, allowing the characters to interact closely while maintaining an air of intrigue.
While the exact city is not specified, the lakeside location suggests a suburban or small urban environment. The Sunset Towers, despite its name, is described as a five-story apartment building, hinting at a modest-sized community rather than a large metropolis. This setting creates an intimate atmosphere where the diverse cast of characters can easily cross paths and engage in the unfolding mystery.
Characters
Sam Westing: Eccentric millionaire who sets up the complex game in his will. He fakes his own death and assumes multiple identities throughout the story, manipulating events from behind the scenes. Westing is clever, strategic, and ultimately seeks to find a worthy heir for his fortune. His past tragedies shape his actions and motivations.
Turtle Wexler: Sharp-witted 13-year-old girl who ultimately solves the Westing game. She is fiercely protective of her long braid and known for kicking people in the shins. Turtle is intelligent, determined, and becomes Westing's protégée. Her analytical skills and perseverance make her a standout character.
Judge J.J. Ford: Intelligent African-American judge in her forties. She is suspicious of the game and concerned for the safety of the heirs. Ford's past connection to Westing adds depth to her character and motivations throughout the story.
Angela Wexler: Turtle's beautiful 20-year-old sister who feels trapped by others' expectations. She struggles with her identity and desire for independence. Angela's character arc involves breaking free from societal pressures and finding her own path.
Sydelle Pulaski: Eccentric woman who pretends to need crutches for attention. She was mistakenly included as an heir instead of another Pulaski. Sydelle's quirky personality and desire for recognition add humor to the story.
Chris Theodorakis: 15-year-old boy who uses a wheelchair due to a degenerative disease. He is intelligent and enjoys birdwatching. Chris's observational skills prove valuable during the game.
Theo Theodorakis: Chris's older brother, a high school student aspiring to be a writer. He is loyal to his family and works in their coffee shop. Theo forms a friendship with Doug Hoo during the game.
Doug Hoo: High school track star and son of James Shin Hoo. He is passionate about running but struggles with his father's expectations. Doug develops a rivalry with Turtle and forms a friendship with Theo.
Flora Baumbach: Kind-hearted 60-year-old dressmaker who becomes a maternal figure to Turtle. She brings warmth and compassion to their partnership in the game.
Crow: Religious cleaning woman who runs a soup kitchen. She has a hidden past connection to Sam Westing that is revealed as the story unfolds.
Quick facts
The book won the Newbery Medal in 1979, recognizing it as the most distinguished contribution to American children's literature that year.
Author Ellen Raskin also designed the original cover art for the book.
The novel was ranked #9 all-time among children's novels in a 2012 School Library Journal survey.
There are 16 main characters/heirs in the story, paired off into 8 teams.
The book was adapted into a 1997 movie called Get a Clue, which was also distributed under the title The Westing Game.
Raskin included several word puzzles and games within the text for readers to solve along with the characters.
The character of Turtle Wexler was partially inspired by Raskin's own daughter.
An HBO Max series adaptation of the book was announced in 2020.
The novel is set in fictional Sunset Towers on the shores of Lake Michigan.
Raskin spent over two years meticulously plotting out all the details and clues in the mystery before writing the actual story.
The most notable adaptation is the 1997 feature film “Get a Clue,” which was also distributed under the title “The Westing Game.”
About the Author
Ellen Raskin (1928-1984) was an American writer and illustrator best known for her children's novels and picture books. Born in Milwaukee during the Great Depression, she initially studied journalism at the University of Wisconsin before switching to fine arts. Raskin's career began in New York City, where she worked as a commercial artist for 15 years, designing over 1,000 book dust jackets, including the first edition of Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time.
Raskin's literary career took off in the late 1960s when she began writing and illustrating her own children's books. Her most famous work, The Westing Game, won the prestigious Newbery Medal in 1979. This mystery novel has endured as a classic, ranking ninth in a 2012 School Library Journal survey of all-time children's novels. Raskin's talent for crafting intricate plots and memorable characters was also evident in her other novels, including Figgs & Phantoms, which was named a Newbery Honor Book in 1975.
Throughout her career, Raskin authored four novels and twelve picture books, in addition to illustrating more than twenty books by other writers. Her work often featured clever wordplay, complex puzzles, and themes that appealed to both children and adults. Raskin's unique style and ability to blend humor with mystery set her apart in the field of children's literature.
Raskin's personal life included two marriages, first to graphic designer Roy Kuhlman in 1957 (which ended in divorce), and then to Dennis Flanagan, editor of Scientific American, in 1960. Her life and career were cut short when she passed away in New York City at the age of 56 due to complications from a connective tissue disease. Despite her relatively brief career, Ellen Raskin left an indelible mark on children's literature, inspiring generations of readers and writers with her imaginative and thought-provoking works.
