BookBrief
Mr Stink cover
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Mr Stink

David Walliams (2009)

Genre

Children's / Young Adult

Reading Time

150 min

Key Themes

See below

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A lonely girl's secret friendship with a kind, malodorous tramp hidden in her garden shed leads to unexpected revelations and a town's surprising transformation.

Synopsis

Chloe, a lonely 12-year-old, befriends Mr. Stink, the local tramp. When he faces eviction, Chloe hides him in her family's garden shed. She keeps his presence a secret from her social-climbing mother, competitive sister Annabelle, and oblivious father, sneaking him food and supplies. Annabelle discovers Mr. Stink, and the truth comes out. Mr. Stink gains national attention when Chloe's mother, Mrs. Crumb, uses his story for political gain, inviting him onto national television. During the broadcast, a surprising revelation occurs: Mr. Stink is Lord Ashton, a wealthy aristocrat who chose to live as a tramp after a personal tragedy. The Prime Minister offers him a place in society, but Mr. Stink declines, preferring his simple life. The Crumbs' fortunes change as Mrs. Crumb's political ambitions falter. Chloe finds a new beginning, learning the importance of kindness and staying true to herself, even as Mr. Stink eventually moves on.
Reading time
150 min
Difficulty
Easy
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Humorous, Touching, Whimsical, Thought-provoking
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy humorous, heartwarming stories about unlikely friendships, with a touch of social commentary and a surprising twist.
✗ Skip this if...
You dislike stories with strong themes of poverty and social class, or you prefer more complex narratives for older readers.

Plot Summary

Chloe Meets Mr Stink

Chloe Crumb, a twelve-year-old, feels invisible. Her younger sister, Annabelle, always gets attention, and her ambitious mother and absent father ignore Chloe. Chloe finds comfort in writing stories and watching the world from her window. She meets Mr. Stink, a local tramp who lives on a park bench with his dog, Duchess. Despite his strong smell, Chloe likes his gentle nature. She starts leaving him food, beginning an unlikely friendship that gives her a sense of connection she lacks at home.

The Threat of Eviction

Chloe continues to visit Mr. Stink, bringing him food and listening to his stories. The local council, pressured by residents and Chloe's mother, Mrs. Crumb (who is running for local elections on an anti-tramp platform), decides to remove Mr. Stink from the park. Chloe hears about the plan and wants to protect her new friend. Knowing he has nowhere else to go, she plans to offer him a safe place, despite the obvious problems and her mother's certain disapproval.

Mr Stink Moves In (to the Shed)

Chloe offers Mr. Stink a place to stay in her family's garden shed. He accepts, bringing Duchess with him. Chloe carefully plans the secret move. She gives him blankets, food, and a radio, making the shed as comfortable as possible. The challenge is keeping his presence a secret from her family, especially her mother, who would be furious. Chloe feels a thrill of rebellion and satisfaction in helping her friend.

The Secret Life in the Shed

Keeping Mr. Stink in the shed is hard for Chloe. She regularly sneaks him food and supplies, often skipping her own meals. Mr. Stink's smell is a big problem, and Chloe tries air fresheners and even bathing Duchess to hide it. She makes up excuses for going to the garden and her new interest in gardening. Despite the difficulties, Chloe enjoys time with Mr. Stink, who talks to her and makes her feel important, something she rarely feels with her family.

Annabelle's Discovery

The secret is at risk when Annabelle, Chloe's younger sister, suspects Chloe's behavior. Annabelle, a talented musician and the family's favorite, follows Chloe to the shed one evening and discovers Mr. Stink. Annabelle is intrigued. She promises to keep the secret, finding a strange excitement in the forbidden situation. This unexpected alliance gives Chloe some relief but also makes her secret more complicated.

The Truth Comes Out

The truth comes out when Mrs. Crumb, preparing for a television interview for her political campaign, needs something from the shed. She opens the door and finds Mr. Stink and his strong smell. She is horrified and angry. A big family argument starts, with Mrs. Crumb furious at Chloe for bringing a tramp into their home and risking her political goals. Mr. Crumb, usually quiet, is also shocked. Chloe stands firm, defending Mr. Stink and her decision, leading to a tense argument.

Mr Stink on National Television

A news reporter, interested in the story of a tramp living in a shed, arrives at the Crumb house. Mrs. Crumb, seeing an opportunity, uses the situation to her political advantage. She arranges for Mr. Stink to appear on a national television show, presenting him as a 'reformed' tramp she is helping. During the live interview, Mr. Stink, with his thoughtful answers, captures the nation's attention. He talks about homelessness with dignity, turning Mrs. Crumb's cynical plan into a moment of public awareness and sympathy.

The Prime Minister's Offer

Mr. Stink's television appearance makes him a national celebrity. The Prime Minister, impressed by his intelligence, offers him a job as an advisor on homelessness. During a meeting at Downing Street, Mr. Stink's true identity is revealed: he is Lord Ashby, a wealthy peer who chose to live as a tramp after his wife's death, tired of his privileged life. This shocks everyone, especially the Crumbs, and changes how they see him and their own values.

The Crumbs' Changing Fortunes

The revelation of Mr. Stink's true identity as Lord Ashby greatly affects the Crumb family. Mrs. Crumb's political career, which had benefited from the 'tramp in the shed' story, ends because of her hypocrisy and public amusement. Mr. Crumb, encouraged by the situation, finally stands up to his wife, asserting his own desires and leaving her. Annabelle, inspired by Mr. Stink, pursues her musical ambitions with new energy. Chloe, though sad to see Mr. Stink go, feels confident, having found her voice and a true friend.

A New Beginning for Chloe

With Mr. Stink (Lord Ashby) in a new part of his life, Chloe feels changed. Her mother, without her political goals and abandoned by her husband, starts to show a softer side. Chloe continues to write, now with more confidence, her experiences with Mr. Stink giving her ideas. She no longer feels invisible, having made an impact on someone's life and being part of a national story. The book ends with Chloe embracing her unique perspective and finding a sense of belonging within herself, no longer needing outside approval.

Principal Figures

Chloe Crumb

The Protagonist

Chloe transforms from a quiet, insecure girl into a confident individual who embraces her unique identity and finds her voice through her writing and her friendship with Mr Stink.

Mr Stink (Lord Ashby)

The Supporting/Mentor

Mr Stink moves from a solitary, self-imposed exile to a position of influence, using his experiences to advocate for the homeless, while still retaining his core values.

Duchess

The Supporting

Duchess remains a constant, loyal companion, providing emotional support to Mr Stink throughout his journey.

Mrs. Crumb

The Antagonist

Mrs. Crumb experiences a fall from grace, losing her political career and husband, which forces her to confront her superficiality and begin to develop a more genuine connection with Chloe.

Mr. Crumb

The Supporting

Mr. Crumb transforms from a passive, henpecked husband into a man who stands up for himself and leaves an unhappy marriage.

Annabelle Crumb

The Supporting

Annabelle moves from being a rival to an unexpected ally for Chloe, finding her own inspiration through the events.

The Prime Minister

The Mentioned/Supporting

The Prime Minister serves as a catalyst for Mr Stink's return to public life, recognizing his unique value.

Themes & Insights

Appearance vs. Reality

This theme is important in the novel, especially with Mr. Stink. He is first seen as a smelly, uneducated tramp but turns out to be the intelligent and wealthy Lord Ashby. This contrast makes the reader and characters look past surface judgments. Mrs. Crumb also shows this, presenting a perfect public image that hides her materialistic and hypocritical nature. Chloe, too, initially hides her writing, fearing judgment. The story shows that true worth and character are often hidden, and judging by appearance can lead to big misunderstandings.

““Sometimes the people who are the most different are the ones who make the most difference.””

— Narrator

Empathy and Compassion

Chloe's consistent empathy for Mr. Stink drives the story. Despite his smell and homelessness, she sees his humanity and treats him with kindness, offering him food, shelter, and friendship. This theme shows the importance of looking past societal biases and being compassionate to those less fortunate. Chloe's actions contrast with her mother's 'tough on tramps' view, showing that real care can lead to good connections and positive change, while judgment and self-interest only cause unhappiness.

““A person is not defined by what they own, but by what they are.””

— Mr Stink

Identity and Self-Discovery

Chloe's story is about finding herself. She feels invisible and struggles with her identity, overshadowed by her family. Her friendship with Mr. Stink helps her find her voice, embrace her writing, and stand up for her beliefs. Mr. Stink's identity as Lord Ashby, who chose homelessness, explores the idea that identity is not just defined by social status or wealth. Both characters deal with who they are and who they want to be, finding honesty and purpose outside of what society expects.

““If you want to be somebody, if you want to be a somebody, you need to go out and make a difference.””

— Mr Stink

Family Dynamics and Dysfunction

The Crumb family is dysfunctional, with Chloe feeling neglected. Mrs. Crumb's constant pursuit of social status and her favoritism towards Annabelle create a tense environment for Chloe. Mr. Crumb's passivity adds to the imbalance. Mr. Stink's arrival exposes the family's problems and forces them to face their issues. The crisis leads to changes in the family, with Mr. Crumb finding his voice and Mrs. Crumb facing the results of her choices, allowing for a more honest, though changed, dynamic.

““Families can be tricky. Sometimes the people closest to you are the ones who hurt you the most.””

— Narrator

Plot Devices & Literary Techniques

The Shed

A physical and symbolic refuge for Mr Stink and Chloe's secret.

The shed serves as a crucial plot device, providing a secret sanctuary for Mr Stink and Duchess. Physically, it is where Chloe hides her friend, leading to various comedic and tense moments as she tries to keep his presence a secret. Symbolically, the shed represents Chloe's hidden world and her act of rebellion against her mother's rigid rules and prejudices. It is a space of genuine connection and warmth, contrasting with the coldness of her own home. Its eventual discovery is the central turning point in the plot, exposing the secret and forcing a confrontation.

Mr Stink's Smell

A persistent sensory detail that defines Mr Stink and creates comedic effect.

Mr Stink's overwhelming smell is a central characteristic that defines his public perception and serves as a significant plot device. It is a constant source of humor, discomfort, and a major challenge for Chloe in keeping him a secret. The smell acts as a barrier that prevents most people from getting close to him, highlighting Chloe's unique ability to look past superficialities. It also serves as a metaphor for societal prejudice, where an outward 'flaw' prevents others from seeing the true person beneath. The smell is often the first thing mentioned about him, reinforcing the theme of appearance vs. reality.

The Political Campaign

Mrs. Crumb's political aspirations as a catalyst for conflict and irony.

Mrs. Crumb's local election campaign, with its 'tough on tramps' platform, provides a strong ironic backdrop to Chloe's decision to hide Mr Stink. This plot device creates direct conflict between mother and daughter's values and intensifies the stakes of keeping Mr Stink's presence a secret. It also allows for the dramatic television interview, where Mrs. Crumb attempts to exploit Mr Stink for political gain, only for it to backfire spectacularly. The campaign ultimately serves to expose Mrs. Crumb's hypocrisy and contribute to her downfall, reinforcing the book's moral lessons.

The Revelation of Lord Ashby

A major twist that recontextualizes Mr Stink's character and the entire story.

The discovery that Mr Stink is actually Lord Ashby, a wealthy and influential peer, is the novel's most significant plot twist. This revelation completely recontextualizes his character, transforming him from a simple tramp into a man who chose his path out of disillusionment. It forces all other characters, especially the Crumbs, to re-evaluate their prejudices and judgments. This device highlights the theme of appearance vs. reality, provides a satisfying resolution for Mr Stink's character, and serves as a catalyst for the dramatic changes within the Crumb family, exposing their superficiality.

Critical analysis

Notable Quotes

“Mr Stink stank. He also stunk. And if it was correct English to say he stinked, then he stinked as well.”

— Opening lines introducing the character Mr Stink.

“Chloe had a secret. She was the loneliest girl in the world.”

— Chloe's internal feelings about her isolation.

“Sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty to do something good.”

— Chloe reflecting on her actions to help Mr Stink.

“He smelled like a thousand toilets all flushed at once.”

— Description of Mr Stink's odor.

“A person is not defined by how they look or smell, but by what is in their heart.”

— Chloe learning a lesson about judging others.

“The Duchess was a dog, but she was the best friend Mr Stink had ever had.”

— Introducing Mr Stink's loyal dog companion.

“Chloe's mother was obsessed with appearances, but she was the ugliest person Chloe knew on the inside.”

— Chloe's critical view of her mother's superficiality.

“Sometimes the people who have the least give the most.”

— Mr Stink's generosity despite his homelessness.

“He had a heart as big as a house, even if he lived in a smelly old shed.”

— Describing Mr Stink's kind nature.

“Chloe realized that everyone has a story, and Mr Stink's was the saddest she had ever heard.”

— Chloe understanding Mr Stink's past.

“The smell of kindness is the sweetest smell of all.”

— A moral lesson from the story.

“Even the stinkiest person in the world deserves a friend.”

— Chloe's determination to befriend Mr Stink.

“Mr Stink's smile was like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day.”

— A positive moment highlighting Mr Stink's humanity.

“Chloe learned that true happiness comes from helping others, not from having the latest gadgets.”

— Chloe's growth and change in perspective.

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Key Questions (FAQ)

'Mr Stink' follows Chloe, a lonely 12-year-old girl who befriends a homeless man named Mr Stink, who is ostracized for his terrible smell. When Mr Stink faces eviction from his park bench, Chloe hides him in her family's garden shed, leading to a series of comedic and heartfelt events that reveal surprising secrets about both characters.

About the author

David Walliams

David Walliams

David Walliams is a celebrated British author, comedian, and television personality, best known for his hugely popular children's books. His works, including "Gangsta Granny," "Mr Stink," and "The World's Worst Teachers," are characterized by humor, heart, and often a touch of the absurd. Walliams's distinctive storytelling has made him a household name in children's literature.