David Henry Wilson

29/2021. This is a children's novel with glorious gothy ghastly illustrations by the inimitable Chris Riddell. The plot is a pun-tastic gothic Alice in Wonderland meets Animal Farm, set in junior Gormenghast, and begins with our heroine Lorina (not Alice) being led by the Black (not White) Rabbit to the Castle of Inside Out. A grimly entertaining farce that also reminds me of Chris Riddell's slightly gentler Goth Girl series.

Quotes

Eating people is wrong: "She remembered once hearing about people who ate people. They were called cannonballs."

Animal occupations: "allicaterers, hippopotters, photogophers, physioterrapins, steeplejackals," etc.… (altro)

This was one of those books that I read the summary and was confused by what it was really about it. Honestly for the one who enjoys fairytales, especially the darker versions, I would recommend this story to be read. Thankfully I took a chance on it and it is one of the books that I have been able to add to my higher collection.

The story is a intriguing blend of "Pied Piper" with "Cinderella", which is an unusual combination within itself but it works. The story is breathtaking and full of suspense while also grounding the two fairytales that even with magic it makes you wonder why you haven't thought of fairytales within backgrounds of their time.

The main characters have an intriguing life of their own although a few like the Princess Amadea were a bit flat for their secondary roles. Others were devious, kind-hearted or like our protagonist so human that it makes you wonder he was even a rat to begin with. And you can immerse yourself with the human elements of the story - emotions, motives, ambitions, etc - that you know the author had a good grasp of the human mind.

The best part of the story for me is the way that it is written for it reminds me of Felix Salten's "Bambi" - novel and philosophy combined beautifully. Will definitely be returning to read this again.… (altro)