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A review by alisonburnis
Who Was Changed and Who Was Dead by Barbara Comyns
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I picked this up because I heard someone mention the comic village reminded them a bit of I Capture the Castle, my favourite book ever. I see that - though it’s a very slight background feeling. This is a tragically hilarious novel, a fine example of black comedy.
In the village where the odd Willoweed family lives, a flood ravages the place. In the aftermath, an epidemic of madness seizes a number of villagers, who end up dying. And during all of it, the Willoweed family squabbles with one another. Grandmother Willoweed rules the roost, while Ebin, her son, longs to get away from her, after ten years of living home after he was fired. His eldest daughter Emma, is a dreamer, while his other children, Dennis and Hattie, are occasionally homeschooled but mostly not.
There’s not a huge amount of plot here, the story is winding and strange through a season of rebuilding. The villagers are each one odder than the next, and very colourful. This is such a strange little novel, but honestly quite enjoyable.
In the village where the odd Willoweed family lives, a flood ravages the place. In the aftermath, an epidemic of madness seizes a number of villagers, who end up dying. And during all of it, the Willoweed family squabbles with one another. Grandmother Willoweed rules the roost, while Ebin, her son, longs to get away from her, after ten years of living home after he was fired. His eldest daughter Emma, is a dreamer, while his other children, Dennis and Hattie, are occasionally homeschooled but mostly not.
There’s not a huge amount of plot here, the story is winding and strange through a season of rebuilding. The villagers are each one odder than the next, and very colourful. This is such a strange little novel, but honestly quite enjoyable.