A review by skylarkblue1
The Little Town of Marrowville by Louis Ghibault, John Robertson

5.0

I've been going to John's stage shows for a few years now. He's a comedian who created this sort of text adventure stage show game filled with intense audience participation, adult/dark comedy (which is very much reflected in the book, but in a clever, subtle way) and just good fun. As soon as this book got announced, after hearing all his very adult comedy and style, I didn't believe this was a true children's book. And in a way, I was right.

This is written so well that it works perfectly for an innocent mind, but for an adult, the book takes on this whole different face. Character arcs are meaningful and great, the story is very well-paced, the language used is surprisingly complex as well.

The illustrations as well are beautiful and detailed. The twisting style fits with the twisted style of the writing. The time gone into working the ideas from the writing into visuals is clear, they are just great to look back over.

This is probably the best children's book I've read so far, and one of my most favourite books overall. Gave me many, MANY laughs and kept me hooked all the way through til the very end. I cannot wait for a sequel or for more books from John.