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A review by jennygaitskell
Alice by Gary Gautier
5.0
I was charmed by this sophisticated fairy tale, which I found sweet and dark, magical and witty.
New Arcadia is a peaceful forest hamlet where Alice lives with kindly eccentrics, along with fairies and ladybugs. After Alice sees the constellations have changed, and makes some puzzling new friends, she leaves her home for the nearby but unknown town of El Dorado. There she learns more about the world's troubled history, and what it means for herself and all she loves.
Alice is an ingénue with a brilliant internal monologue. The quirky relationships between New Arcadians are equally well-observed and hilarious. Each setting is vividly described, however surreal, as the story weaves between past and present. This novel explores big themes with a light touch - what utopia means, human frailty and freedom, and the nature of time. I loved the writing's warmth and clarity, especially the self-referential asides.
A playfully nonconformist novel, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
New Arcadia is a peaceful forest hamlet where Alice lives with kindly eccentrics, along with fairies and ladybugs. After Alice sees the constellations have changed, and makes some puzzling new friends, she leaves her home for the nearby but unknown town of El Dorado. There she learns more about the world's troubled history, and what it means for herself and all she loves.
Alice is an ingénue with a brilliant internal monologue. The quirky relationships between New Arcadians are equally well-observed and hilarious. Each setting is vividly described, however surreal, as the story weaves between past and present. This novel explores big themes with a light touch - what utopia means, human frailty and freedom, and the nature of time. I loved the writing's warmth and clarity, especially the self-referential asides.
A playfully nonconformist novel, which I thoroughly enjoyed.