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bigbeardedbookseller's reviews
479 reviews
The Secret of Nightingale Wood by Lucy Strange
4.0
October's Children's Book of the Month is the debut novel by Lucy Strange begins which begins in a setting similar to 'The Railway Children' by E. Nesbit. It is set in the early 20th century and in a country setting reminiscent of 'The Railway Children', with a change in family home, with a similar family make up, and an unspoken tragedy at the centre of the story.
The similiarites do end quickly though, as Henry has to deal with difficulties that are reminiscent of those in 'Wide Sargasso Sea' by Jean Rhys and are slightly harsher than those Nesbit's era were prepared to deal with in a children's book, though Nesbit did write horror stories for adults which were much darker than her children's stories.
Lucy Strange's hero, Henry has to face a lot of problems and feels that she has to do these alone, but as the story develops, so does the friendships she makes develop. She finds support and friendship in some strange places.
The two main shadows over the story are the loss of her elder brother and the aftermath of WWI, both of these are themes throughout the book and weave all the way through the book and each other.
This is a well written book that flows from the moment you open the page and is lovingly decorated throughout with pen sketches of various locations and objects from the story.
The similiarites do end quickly though, as Henry has to deal with difficulties that are reminiscent of those in 'Wide Sargasso Sea' by Jean Rhys and are slightly harsher than those Nesbit's era were prepared to deal with in a children's book, though Nesbit did write horror stories for adults which were much darker than her children's stories.
Lucy Strange's hero, Henry has to face a lot of problems and feels that she has to do these alone, but as the story develops, so does the friendships she makes develop. She finds support and friendship in some strange places.
The two main shadows over the story are the loss of her elder brother and the aftermath of WWI, both of these are themes throughout the book and weave all the way through the book and each other.
This is a well written book that flows from the moment you open the page and is lovingly decorated throughout with pen sketches of various locations and objects from the story.
The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon
4.0
The story of Subhi, a Rohingya boy born in an Australian immigration detention centre, Subhi knows no other life apart from the stories that his mother has told him.
Frallion’s writing is tight and travels between the mystical land inhabited by Subhi’s imagination and the brutality of the life in an immigration centre.
The friendships Subhi makes with Jimmie, a girl living locally, but I suspect with Aboriginal ancestry, lighten the brutality of his daily life but also serves to highlight the hardships faced by both of the children in their daily lives.
This book is going to be the core of my International Refugee Day display and week at work, as I feel that it is sympathetic without dismissing the troubles and hardships that are in the refugee system, especially for children.
Frallion’s writing is tight and travels between the mystical land inhabited by Subhi’s imagination and the brutality of the life in an immigration centre.
The friendships Subhi makes with Jimmie, a girl living locally, but I suspect with Aboriginal ancestry, lighten the brutality of his daily life but also serves to highlight the hardships faced by both of the children in their daily lives.
This book is going to be the core of my International Refugee Day display and week at work, as I feel that it is sympathetic without dismissing the troubles and hardships that are in the refugee system, especially for children.
The Great Wood: The Ancient Forest of Caledon by Jim Crumley
4.0
The Great Wood is a wonderful exploration of what might have been the Great Wood of Caledonia.
Jim Crumley writes with passion but also with honesty in this book, returning again to the idea of wolves in Scotland, looking at the entire ecology of the area and wanting to return to a ‘natural’ balance.
I was enchanted by this book as we know people who are part of the reforestation in Scotland, a small part but still part of it, returning land to what could have been the natural forestation of the Glens, using native species and ecologically-driven land management techniques.
Jim wants this to happen, but is not romantically blinkered by the legends of an all encompassing forest and is realistic about its possible return.
This book stands with books like Nan Shepherd in its outlook on the Scottish landscape and is worth reading again to pick up Jim’s passion for the land.
Jim Crumley writes with passion but also with honesty in this book, returning again to the idea of wolves in Scotland, looking at the entire ecology of the area and wanting to return to a ‘natural’ balance.
I was enchanted by this book as we know people who are part of the reforestation in Scotland, a small part but still part of it, returning land to what could have been the natural forestation of the Glens, using native species and ecologically-driven land management techniques.
Jim wants this to happen, but is not romantically blinkered by the legends of an all encompassing forest and is realistic about its possible return.
This book stands with books like Nan Shepherd in its outlook on the Scottish landscape and is worth reading again to pick up Jim’s passion for the land.
The Christmasaurus by Tom Fletcher
4.0
This is a story about William Trundle, Santa Claus and the Christmasaurus.
It follows them through a series of adventures and peril, including run ins with The Hunter, and Brenda Payne who is the meanest girl at school.
William’s mum had died a long time ago, so it is just William and his dad. William is really into Dinosaurs so there are many wonderful surprises for him in the book, and William’s dad is really into Christmas so there are many wonderful surprises for him also.
Tom writes with great humour and kindness throughout the book, keeping the pace sharp and on point, the level of peril is not so high as to put off younger readers, but this is a great book for all.
There are wonderful illustrations throughout the book, that really enhance the story, capturing the whimsical nature of Tom Fletcher’s writing in graphic form.
It follows them through a series of adventures and peril, including run ins with The Hunter, and Brenda Payne who is the meanest girl at school.
William’s mum had died a long time ago, so it is just William and his dad. William is really into Dinosaurs so there are many wonderful surprises for him in the book, and William’s dad is really into Christmas so there are many wonderful surprises for him also.
Tom writes with great humour and kindness throughout the book, keeping the pace sharp and on point, the level of peril is not so high as to put off younger readers, but this is a great book for all.
There are wonderful illustrations throughout the book, that really enhance the story, capturing the whimsical nature of Tom Fletcher’s writing in graphic form.
The Island at the End of Everything by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
4.0
Based on a real island in the Philippines, Kiren tells the story of Amhi, a young girl who's mother is Touched (has leprosy). Different from her previous story ‘The Girl of Ink and Stars’ in that it doesn’t have a fantasy element, it shares the beautiful storytelling style that Kiran uses.
The island has traditionally been the home of the Touched and their families and though there are difficulties the families are together, but the Philippine government changes policy on this as wants to separate those with leprosy from those without.
This story follows what happens when this policy is implemented by people who don’t seem to care about the individuals but more about themselves. It also follows Amhi as she becomes caught up in this policy change and the trials she has to suffer, in a way there are similarities with ‘The Girl of Ink and Stars’ here, a young girl separated from her one parent, having to deal with difficulties as she overcomes this separation.
Another beautifully written book by Kiran, and again I have to say well done to Chicken House Publishing for producing another quality product.
The island has traditionally been the home of the Touched and their families and though there are difficulties the families are together, but the Philippine government changes policy on this as wants to separate those with leprosy from those without.
This story follows what happens when this policy is implemented by people who don’t seem to care about the individuals but more about themselves. It also follows Amhi as she becomes caught up in this policy change and the trials she has to suffer, in a way there are similarities with ‘The Girl of Ink and Stars’ here, a young girl separated from her one parent, having to deal with difficulties as she overcomes this separation.
Another beautifully written book by Kiran, and again I have to say well done to Chicken House Publishing for producing another quality product.
The Snow Spider by Jenny Nimmo
5.0
It is on Gwyn’s ninth birthday when his Grandmother gives him an assortment of strange objects and tells him he could be a magician. It was on Gwyn’s fifth birthday when his sister, Bethan, went missing. For those four years his father has blamed Gwyn for Bethan’s disappearance, but so has Gwyn.
Jenny Nimmo’s classic was re-released on it’s 30th anniversary with a lovely new cover by Daniela Terrazzini, before this edition I hadn’t known of this book, which is a great shame as I could have loved it for over 30 years rather than one.
Jenny’s writing is tight and well paced, her characters are so believable that you emotionally invest in their world from the beginning of the story.
Gwyn is sceptical of his Grandmother’s claims that he could be the descendent of the famous magician; Math, Lord of Gwynedd, Gwydion and Gilfraethwy; well you would be wouldn’t you?
But as the story unfolds, we see what he could become and the dangers that could be involved in this.
Literally magical, Jenny developed a wonderful world with wonderful characters and gave me a book that I love, making it one of the best sellers in our shop.
Jenny Nimmo’s classic was re-released on it’s 30th anniversary with a lovely new cover by Daniela Terrazzini, before this edition I hadn’t known of this book, which is a great shame as I could have loved it for over 30 years rather than one.
Jenny’s writing is tight and well paced, her characters are so believable that you emotionally invest in their world from the beginning of the story.
Gwyn is sceptical of his Grandmother’s claims that he could be the descendent of the famous magician; Math, Lord of Gwynedd, Gwydion and Gilfraethwy; well you would be wouldn’t you?
But as the story unfolds, we see what he could become and the dangers that could be involved in this.
Literally magical, Jenny developed a wonderful world with wonderful characters and gave me a book that I love, making it one of the best sellers in our shop.
Cogheart by Peter Bunzl
4.0
Cogheart was Peter Bunzel’s debut novel, and what a debut. Cogheart was shortlisted for the Waterstones Book Prize 2017, and for the Branford Boase Award 2017. It was Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month for August 2016. It won the Dudley Teen Book Award and Sefton Super Reads Award 2017. It was also nominated for Haringey Children’s Book Award 2017, Hillingdon Primary Book of the Year 2017, Leeds Book Award 2017, Warwickshire Junior Book Award 2017, and the North East Book Award 2017.
Lily lives in an alternative Victorian era where clockwork animals and people are servants and, friends and pets. Lily is at boarding school as her mum is dead and her father is an inventor of clockwork mechanisms.
This book uses a lot of the steampunk tropes that we are used to; dirigibles, clockwork, Victoriana, and a strong female character; and it uses them well in telling a fast-paced adventure with a lot of suspense, mystery and laughs.
Peter’s writing is paced well and, I would say, for all ages. Though this book is aimed firmly at middle-grade readers, I thoroughly enjoyed it and a lot of adults I recommended it to loved it.
Peter’s follow-up, Moonlocket, is available now as well.
Lily lives in an alternative Victorian era where clockwork animals and people are servants and, friends and pets. Lily is at boarding school as her mum is dead and her father is an inventor of clockwork mechanisms.
This book uses a lot of the steampunk tropes that we are used to; dirigibles, clockwork, Victoriana, and a strong female character; and it uses them well in telling a fast-paced adventure with a lot of suspense, mystery and laughs.
Peter’s writing is paced well and, I would say, for all ages. Though this book is aimed firmly at middle-grade readers, I thoroughly enjoyed it and a lot of adults I recommended it to loved it.
Peter’s follow-up, Moonlocket, is available now as well.
The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
4.0
I found the point of view and voice that this was written in extremely difficult to get into, the first few chapters were hard going, but it was so worth the effort in perseverance.
Written from the view of a stranger talking to a stranger at a Lahore café, we explore causes, betrayal, the American dream, cultural expectation and more.
The voice of this novel is extremely distinct, with next to no dialogue between the strangers, the only real dialogue is in the stranger’s reminiscences.
As the evening progresses the story takes a darker turn as if in step with the darkening skies. There is a constant feeling of menace throughout the meeting, and this also progresses with the darkening.
A wonderful novel, worth keeping going through the difficult beginning, which has more to do with the reader than the writer.
Written from the view of a stranger talking to a stranger at a Lahore café, we explore causes, betrayal, the American dream, cultural expectation and more.
The voice of this novel is extremely distinct, with next to no dialogue between the strangers, the only real dialogue is in the stranger’s reminiscences.
As the evening progresses the story takes a darker turn as if in step with the darkening skies. There is a constant feeling of menace throughout the meeting, and this also progresses with the darkening.
A wonderful novel, worth keeping going through the difficult beginning, which has more to do with the reader than the writer.
The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson
4.0
Matthew is the last person to see Teddy before Teddy goes missing, can Matthew solve the mystery of the disappearance? Only one major difficulty stands in Matthew’s way to do this, Matthew has O.C.D. which makes it near impossible for him to leave his room and interact with people.
Lisa Thompson writes a compelling and thrilling mystery with great understanding and sympathy for Matthew whilst not writing a pathetic pastiche of a character.
The gradual unfolding of the two mysteries; the cause of Matthew’s O.C.D. and the disappearance of Teddy are intertwined and open at a pace that keeps you glued to the book until your’e finished.
The cast of supporting characters are strong and well-fleshed out without pulling you down multiple rabbit-holes of back stories and motivations.
As a debut novel this is wonderfully written and makes me anticipate Lisa’s second novel.
Lisa Thompson writes a compelling and thrilling mystery with great understanding and sympathy for Matthew whilst not writing a pathetic pastiche of a character.
The gradual unfolding of the two mysteries; the cause of Matthew’s O.C.D. and the disappearance of Teddy are intertwined and open at a pace that keeps you glued to the book until your’e finished.
The cast of supporting characters are strong and well-fleshed out without pulling you down multiple rabbit-holes of back stories and motivations.
As a debut novel this is wonderfully written and makes me anticipate Lisa’s second novel.
Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake
4.0
Three Dark Crowns is the start of a Y.A. fantasy series by Kendare Blake, and a good start at that. For once I never got the twist until the end of the book, which leaves us on a massive (almost literally) cliff-hanger of a revelation.
Kendare tells the story of Three Princesses, triplets that are born every generation to become the Queen of Fennbirn, the only problem is that the other two have to die for one to be crowned.
Each Princess is meant to be the master of a different type of magic; poison, elemental and natural and are given to their sixteenth year to develop their skills in their speciality.
Things do not go as planned (well if it all went as planned there wouldn’t be much of a novel really) and we follow the three princesses through these.
I enjoyed the premise and the execution was well done and am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Kendare tells the story of Three Princesses, triplets that are born every generation to become the Queen of Fennbirn, the only problem is that the other two have to die for one to be crowned.
Each Princess is meant to be the master of a different type of magic; poison, elemental and natural and are given to their sixteenth year to develop their skills in their speciality.
Things do not go as planned (well if it all went as planned there wouldn’t be much of a novel really) and we follow the three princesses through these.
I enjoyed the premise and the execution was well done and am looking forward to the next book in the series.