This quirky, endearing, magical middle grade book is about 7 siblings whose house on a swamp suddenly explodes. They must come up with a plan as theirThis quirky, endearing, magical middle grade book is about 7 siblings whose house on a swamp suddenly explodes. They must come up with a plan as their parents are unreachable on an archaeological site in Angorra. Through songs, they remember a box that was buried in the yard which contains a deed to their grandfather’s mansion. Their grandfather has been missing and presumed deceased for 7 years. Before disappearing he visited them often, however, they have never been to his mansion which is only 7 miles from where they live. The Problim children arrive in Lost Cove to claim his house just as the mayor is about to put the Problim mansion up for auction with one very eager buyer, a Desdemona O’Pinion.
Upon arriving in Lost Cove, Desdemona O’Pinion threatens to split up the 7 siblings and send them each to a different continent as they have no documentation to prove who they are. She has even formed the Society for the Protection of Unwanted Children who are ready to take the children away. The children are given one month to either provide legal documentation that they are the Problim children or their parents must arrive. In the meantime they are allowed to stay in the mansion. They spend this time trying to work out clues from a rhyme that was also left behind for them by their grandfather. They also try to befriend the neighbors who seem both afraid and intrigued by them.
These Problim children had no idea they were magical or different until moving into Frank Problim’s mansion. The circus spiders carrying rumors, the fog surrounding their home in the shape of animals and objects, and the countless other anomalies that are part of the Problim’s daily life have never seemed extraordinary until now. The book will entrance and delight readers. There are riddles and mysteries to solve aplenty. There are characters to love and cheer for. The book is full of interesting characters whose names are clues to their personalities. The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, leaving the reader awaiting a sequel… I’m guessing there might be 7 in this series....more
This intelligent, intriguing modern day fairy tale starts out in what seems to be a normal world. It begins with the birth of the protagonist, Apollo,This intelligent, intriguing modern day fairy tale starts out in what seems to be a normal world. It begins with the birth of the protagonist, Apollo, a child of mixed race to Lillian Kagwa (a Ugandan immigrant) and Brian West (a white parole officer.) His father had held him as a baby telling him he was Apollo, the God. This becomes a mantra for Apollo later in life. Brian West disappears by the time Apollo is four years old, but Apollo continues to have dreams, or maybe nightmares, about his father returning. In a box of items left behind by Brian is a well-read copy of Maurice Sendak’s Outside Over There. The Changeling becomes a retelling of this award winning children’s book. Apollo is an avid reader and at a young age becomes a buyer and seller of used books.
Even before the witches and trolls appear in this novel, there are hints of the monsters in the ordinary. In childhood, “Apollo would find himself wondering if he actually was frightening, a monster, the kind that would drive his own father away.” Then later, Emma’s friend, Nichelle, explains to Apollo, about the nude photo of Emma hanging in Amsterdam. Nichelle says of Emma, “She looks like a fucking sorceress, Apollo. It was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.”
Race and casual racism is discussed throughout this book. When Apollo is young and trying to sell his books in the higher end spots in Manhattan, the author writes “Every kid with excess melanin becomes a super predator, even a black boy with glasses and a backpack full of books. He might be standing at the entrance for fifteen minutes while the clerks pretended not to notice him.” Later in the novel, Apollo is stopped by a cop in a white section in Queens and says, “that was fast.”
This book also speaks to the new age of parenthood, of more involved dads, and of social media. Apollo Kagwa is one of these new age dads who is very much involved in the parenting of his child. He enjoys taking him to the playground and bragging with the other dads about new milestones. He posts countless photographs of his son, Brian, on Facebook. Apollo’s wife, Emma, meanwhile, begins showing signs of postpartum depression. She tells Apollo that she has received strange texts of pictures of the baby that have disappeared shortly after receiving them, which Apollo dismisses. “You’re what’s wrong with our family, Emma. You. Are. The. Problem. Go take another pill.” The horror in this novel is the experience of parenthood itself, the no-win situation regarding the expectations facing parents, the feeling of needing to protect your child, and ultimately the loss of a child.
Apollo finds a signed first edition of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird with the inscription to Truman Capote, “Here’s to the Daddy of our dreams.” He knows that this book could have a great payday, however, it does not pay in the way he expects. After barely surviving the wrath and rage of his wife, he realizes that perhaps his wife was right. He ends up on a journey with many twists and turns through mystical realms of witches, trolls and even some human monsters.
This novel warns of the dangers of social media and putting your life out there for all to see, judge, and possibly take advantage of. William tells Apollo, “Vampires can’t come into your house unless you invite them. Posting online is like leaving your front door open and telling any creature of the night it can come right in.” It seems that Emma Valentine and Brian Kagwa were the perfect target for trolls with the publicized birth of their son, followed by continuous Facebook posts by Brian.
This book speaks to deeper truths about the monsters within each of us. The glamer we are able to superimpose over our own misbehaviors to make us feel better about ourselves. It warns of trolls lurking in everyday places and people. This book is not simply a retelling or a fairy tale, there are many layers and depths to it. The social commentary is sharp, but easily consumed within the context of this fantastical setting. It is about the stories we tell ourselves as well as our children and the effect these stories have on us. There is some pretty graphic violence though, so consider yourself forewarned.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This magical, fantastical, witty comedy of manners meets magical fairyland is so fun to read. There is much foreshadowing to provide plenty of excitemThis magical, fantastical, witty comedy of manners meets magical fairyland is so fun to read. There is much foreshadowing to provide plenty of excitement and anticipation for the sequel which has not yet been published. For all it’s playfulness, there is also an underlining seriousness to this novel. This has to do with the politics of Britain and the treatment of women and people of color. In fairyland, race does not matter, it is not even noticed. Likewise, in fairyland, women are equally adept and capable of practicing magic as men are. This is in stark contrast to England. Politics and society are portrayed as a comedy of manners in Britain where people are tripping over themselves to maintain decorum despite the pervading racism and sexism.
The story is set in 19th century England. Upon the death of his guardian and mentor, Zacharias Wythe becomes the “sorcerer royal” more out of obligation, than desire. Given that he is a freed slave, a black man, there is much outcry against him. There is an underground movement afoot to unseat him, led by the unscrupulous and dishonest Geoffrey Midsomer. This all comes at a time when there is a drain on the magic in England, there are political entanglements with magicians from foreign lands, and war is ensuing with France.
Zacharias is asked to visit a school for gentle witches where the main objective is to banish or hide their magical abilities. Zacharias immediately notices the magical talents of Prunella Gentleman, who was orphaned and left in the care of Mrs. Daubney at a young age. Prunella has fallen out of favor with Mrs. Daubney, the headmistress of the school and Prunella’s guardian since her father’s death. She asks Prunella to move to the servant’s quarters, but instead Prunella accompanies Zacharias back to London and begins to study thaurmatorgy with him. Prunella has recently discovered herself in possession of a singing orb and seven familiar’s eggs. As she begins to grow her familiars while looking for a husband, her powers grow, and a love interest develops between Zacharias and Prunella. Prunella is certainly a “Cinderella” character, but one with much bravery, talent and ambition. It is she who becomes the true star, the heroine of the novel, able to take the reins of her position, to succeed as the ultimate “Sorceress Royal.”
This is, of course, a very simplified and scaled back version of the novel. There are many subplots within the main plot. The novel is chock full of an interesting array of characters: nosy society ladies, seedy politicians, faeries, vampiresses, curious familiars, mermaids, dragons, and much more!
This novel is craftily written, full of surprises and larger than life characters. It is at once serious and whimsical. It delights and exceeds expectations. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys fantasy fiction!!
“the island is a theatre. Prospero is a director. He’s putting on a play, within which there’s another play. If his magic holds and his play is succes“the island is a theatre. Prospero is a director. He’s putting on a play, within which there’s another play. If his magic holds and his play is successful, he’ll get his heart’s desire. But if he fails…”
This is a marvelous re-telling of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest.” It is a tale of prisons within prisons, of prisoners who do not realize they’re imprisoned, of vengeance and revenge. The most beautiful part of this book is that it is prisoners who are putting on the play. Their thoughts on the characters, plot and imagined future outcomes are all explored. Margaret Atwood’s retelling, in effect, goes deeper than the original. I, as the reader, was left amazed at how well all the intricacies of plot worked out to mirror the original work in such a way that it actually took the plot further, creating a doubling effect: a play within a play (maybe within another play). It feels genius as you read it, and further intensifies the prisons within prisons theme.
This is fourth installment of the Hogarth Shakespeare Project, in which excellent writers are tackling retellings of Shakespeare’s literature. “The Tempest” is the last written work of William Shakespeare, written in 1610-1611. I plan to re-read “The Tempest” and rewrite this review (or at least rethink it). I am that inspired by this novel.
There were a couple fairly major departures from the novel. The largest being that, Miranda, Felix’s daughter in Atwood’s version has died at the age of 3, however Felix imagines he still sees her and she is there with him until the end of the novel when he is able to release her. I actually think this brings an additional element of fantasy to the novel, a hint of madness to the sorcerer. She actually becomes entwined into the role of the fairy as enacted in the prison. It also allows for another level of imprisonment.
This version does not take place on an island, but Felix (Prospero) banishes himself to a remote area living in a shack with landlords that maybe never were. It is all very mysterious. He lives in seclusion for twelve years prior to taking the job at the prison where through a literacy program he and the inmates re-enact Shakespeare plays. It is here at the correctional facility that “The Tempest” is re-enacted in more ways than one with the outcome that Felix desires, the overthrowing of Antonio who had taken away his theater directorship.
The work that Felix does at the correctional facility feels magical. The relationship he develops with the inmates and the enthusiasm and interest they show for working on the plays seems incredible. As quoted from Felix within the novel, “Maybe the island really is magic. Maybe it’s a kind of mirror: each one sees in it a reflection of his inner self. Maybe it brings out who you really are. Maybe it’s a place where you’re supposed to learn something. But what is each one of these people supposed to learn? And do they learn it?” This seems to be exactly what is happening within Felix’s theater in the prison.
This is a novel full of modern day wit, whimsy, vigor. Margaret Atwood infuses rap, dance, old world swearing, and much self discovery into the prisoner’s re-enactment. It is super fun to read, yet has its dark melancholic side in true Atwood form, and can be dissected in so many ways. The prisoners each have their own interpretations of the characters and their expected outcomes, which is true of all great literature. I highly recommend this to Shakespeare fans or just fans of great literature! This is Atwood at her best!
Thank you to netgalley and Hogarth for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I picked this up to listen to on a car trip with my children. I think my young children were scared or turned “It takes a graveyard to raise a child.”
I picked this up to listen to on a car trip with my children. I think my young children were scared or turned off by the no frills triple murder with which the novel begins. I, however, was enthralled and could not wait to continue with the story each time it left off. I'd read Neil Gaiman's "The Ocean at the end of the Lane" and fell in love with his writing then. I was hoping to share that experience with my children...maybe in a few years. Having this book read by the author himself was pure delight. His English accent and the manner in which he was able to do different voices for the various characters really brought the story to life.
The storyline itself is enchanting. I was mesmerized! I felt my skin prickle in anticipation of what was coming next. The characters are fabulous. The plot was complex, yet everything came full circle throughout the novel. It is a huge puzzle in which all the pieces had just the right fit. Every bit of this novel is delicious perfection. It is a brilliant, magical, dreamy, fantastical world and everyone should read or listen to this. As you can see from all the awards this novel has won, I am not alone in feeling this way! However, given my children's response to this novel, it is best suited for middle grade or young adult audiences....more
Lovely, delicious, mystical, tender coming-of age story by an author I’ve been wanting to read for a long time. I listened to the audible version withLovely, delicious, mystical, tender coming-of age story by an author I’ve been wanting to read for a long time. I listened to the audible version with my children on a road trip, and given it’s target audience, the plot is somewhat simplistic, so I look forward to reading some of her more acclaimed adult novels.
'Nightbird' is the story of a lonely 12 year old girl who lives with her mother and her winged brother, a product of the "Fowler family curse." It is a story of friendships developed, fears overcome, pasts and futures colliding. It has beautiful fantastical, mystical and magical elements. It is infused with the beauty and the tastes of the Berkshires. The message of the book is kind and loving. I would recommend this book especially to girls aged 8-14.
Brilliant, insightful, imaginative, philosophical and unique! This novel, written by Russian born Olga Grushin is an incredible read. It is a collectiBrilliant, insightful, imaginative, philosophical and unique! This novel, written by Russian born Olga Grushin is an incredible read. It is a collection of short stories each taking place in a room that the narrator has lived in or spent time in during her lifetime. The stories initially are set in Russia and then move to America when the narrator travels there for college. There are so many life truths illustrated beautifully within this novel: the twists and turns life takes us on; it’s meaning; the perceptions of others as well as ourselves; the changing vision and perspective of life as we age; the rooms we choose to inhabit and their impact on us. This was so despite, or perhaps as a result of, the overwhelming use of fantasy/magical realism within the book.
This novel is so powerful and rich with language, metaphors, imagery, mirrors and reflections. There is so much depth to the novel added by the insertion thoughts that the various other characters are having; by repeating scenes with different scenarios, leaving it open to interpretation what might have actually transpired and what was fantasy; and of course by the magical or fantastical characters. The whole novel has a “dizzying,” dream-like quality to it. Many of the scenes occur, followed by Mrs. Caldwell waking up.
The novel is divided into parts which represent different time periods in Mrs. Caldwell’s life. Within each part are chapters representing the rooms within which each of the short stories occur. Forty rooms was very purposely chosen. As the narrator’s mother tells her: “Forty is God’s number for testing the human spirit. It’s the limit of man’s endurance, beyond which you are supposed to learn something true. Oh, you know what I mean- Noah’s forty days and nights of rain, Moses’ forty years in the desert, Jesus’ forty days of fasting and temptation. Forty of anything is long enough to be a trial, but it’s man-size too. In the Bible, forty years makes a span of one generation. Forty weeks makes a baby.”
In the beginning of the novel, the young Mrs. Caldwell hopes to achieve immortality. She wants only to write poetry and devote herself fully to that art. She is told by her Apollo that “the meaning of a single individual human life,.. consists of figuring out the one thing you are great at and then pushing mankind’s mastery of that one thing as far as you are able, be it an inch or a mile.” She really does work hard at her poetry and it seems all-consuming until she meets Paul and settles into married life, not even telling him her aspirations or love of writing poetry. She becomes a mother in a foreign country, with no friends and does not even learn to drive for quite some time. She seems to have lost herself and is trapped in her family life, and in so doing, her marriage starts to fail as well.
I loved that this novel encompassed an entire life. The reader is able to observe the changes occurring from childhood through adulthood to the very end. It leaves you wondering how her life might have been under different circumstances or had she made different choices. As a mother to young children who has made career concessions of my own, I felt swept up in this novel eager to hear the author’s final message or verdict on what might the right path be. I think this book is amazing! It is wonderfully written, incredibly insightful and sends a powerful message! I must say though, this book would appeal much more to women than men and would make a great book club read.
“Every seven-year-old deserves a superhero. That’s just how it is.“ For Elsa, her grandmother is her superhero, however as the book progresses Elsa be“Every seven-year-old deserves a superhero. That’s just how it is.“ For Elsa, her grandmother is her superhero, however as the book progresses Elsa begins to notices superpowers in all those close to her. This book has a childlike honesty and curiosity to it. It is told from Elsa’s 7 year old perspective. There is much humor and sweetness to this book.
It is a heartwarming quirky tale that begins with the relationship between a grandmother and her 7 year old granddaughter. Granny is eccentric and will do anything to protect and guide Elsa through life. The 7 year old Elsa is a wise-for-her-age little girl who comes across as “different” from her peers and is the subject of bullying at school. Her best and only friend is her grandmother. The grandmother goes to great lengths to distract Elsa from her rough days, including a scene where Elsa and her grandmother sneak into the zoo late at night and when the police arrive, Granny proceeds to throw animal poop at them.
After Elsa’s parents divorce, Granny weaves a series of fantastical fairy tales that take place in a world that Elsa thinks only she and her grandmother know about, the “Land-of -almost-awake.” The grandmother also teaches her a secret language so they can speak to each other without others knowing what they are saying.
Elsa is not told by the grandmother that she is dying until just before her death at which point she is sent on a mysterious mission whereby she must deliver a series of letters. Through this process of letter delivering Elsa develops a better sense of who her grandmother was, her grandmother’s relationship with her mother, as well as understands the relationships of those living in the building with her. These people in her building become sort of an extended family for Elsa.
This fantastical world that Granny tells to Elsa serves as a framework for the Elsa to understand the relationship between all of those around her. She realizes that these fantastical stories are actually true stories about those around her, and seemingly becomes wiser as a result. She appreciates the people around her better, their relationships to each other, and feels more connected to them.
While reading the book, I wondered at the seemingly random titles given to each chapter, but they came together perfectly in the last paragraph of the book.
While the book was originally written in Swedish, it really could have taken place anywhere. There are a few Swedish cultural references, such as Daim chocolate bars.
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