And Put Away Childish Things
Ratings12
Average rating3.8
Harry Bodie’s been called into the delightful fantasy world of his grandmother’s beloved children’s books. It’s not delightful here at all. All roads lead to Underhill, where it’s always winter, and never nice. Harry Bodie has a famous grandmother, who wrote beloved children’s books set in the delightful world of Underhill. Harry himself is a failing kids’ TV presenter whose every attempt to advance his career ends in self-sabotage. His family history seems to be nothing but an impediment. An impediment... or worse. What if Underhill is real? What if it has been waiting decades for a promised child to visit? What if it isn’t delightful at all? And what if its denizens have run out of patience and are taking matters into their own hand?
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Enjoyed this one although it isn't as good as his other works. Which isn't to say this was bad, Adrian Tchaikovsky has a tremendous catalog.
A dark and rotting fantasyland novella. The characters were likeable, some nice ideas and thought provoking. Very clear and visual story telling.
It is a novella however it did feel rushed. I kept thinking humans would be a lot more shaken up by witnessing the real life childrens characters and world. I wanted a bit more of Harry's background and his life, it could have helped with a bit more on why he is so defeated so that we believe he wants to change for the better. Very straight to the point in story line, compared to the gradual and story building of Ogres.
Overall I did enjoy this story and 3/5 stars is good. I did love Ogres and other works by this author, this one maybe wasn't my cup of tea. I can tell others will really enjoy it. He is an extremely skilled writer and his stories are always vivid.
Thank you Netgally for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Not sure what I feel about this one yet, but once again Tchaikovsky is unique and interesting. The first half of this I found somewhat dull as it felt like it took forever to get to the actual story. I was tempted to DNF and then everything clicked and I loved the last third. It helped me appreciate the setup in the first half more but I still think it could have been done a bit more efficiently.
This novella examines portal fantasy and the effect of fiction on us, and is definitely in conversation with Narnia and Tolkien (both of which are name dropped several times), but I also found it remiscent of Winnie the Pooh, if Christopher Robin had abandoned 100-Acre Wood and left Pooh and the others to fend for themselves. It also reminded me quite a bit of Stephen King, both in some of the plot reveals but also in the dialogue.
Tchaikovsky continues to impress me, even with the things I like less.
7/10 I think?
A fun (but rather dark) peek into what's behind the worlds of portal fantasies. Quite enjoyable with a satisfying denouement.
