‘There is madness in it.’
‘Yes. But magic too.’
Following the death of their parents, Jessie and her older sister Kay move to their grandmother’s abandoned house. One night they discover The History of Mischief hidden beneath the floor: it is like no book they have ever seen.
From Ancient Greece to war-torn China, from the Ethiopian Empire to Victorian England, the pages reveal a world of mischief and mystery, adventure and adversity – stolen bones and fiery dragons, feisty philosophers and tempestuous tyrants, shape-shifting trees and scorched scrolls.
But not everything is as it seems, in the book or in her life, and Jessie is determined to find the truth. The History has a history of its own. Unravelling its secrets might be the biggest mischief of all.
The History of Mischief is a tale of magic, family, and adventure that can be enjoyed by everyone. Higgie writes with incredible grace and sensitivity and imbues the novel with an almost nostalgic feeling that will take you back to your childhood reading experiences. Fans of The Night Circus and The Little Prince will fall in love with this book.
As we follow Jessie and Kay through this story, we come to understand how they deal with themes of loss and grief, something everyone can relate to. I found myself deeply connecting with these characters and it was a joy to spend time in the world that was so obviously imagined with care and passion. Apart from our main protagonists, there are also plenty of other characters to fall in love with. From Jessie’s eccentric neighbour Mrs Moran to her schoolfriend Theodore, these secondary characters are unique and Higgie’s prose has plenty of charm to keep you entertained to the very last page. Everything about this book captures that childlike wonder that we often don’t see in modern fiction. A breath of fresh air to say the least.
The History of Mischief is a beautifully original tale that highlights the best parts of that childlike sense of adventure that we all crave. With a superb story that takes you all throughout history, Higgie has created something truly special. If you’re after a book that will really test your emotions while taking you on a grand journey, this should be a guaranteed spot on your to-be-read list. This is a book for the whole family. We can’t wait to see what other grand ideas Rebecca Higgie will come up with next!
Acknowledgment of Cultural Fund support
Better Reading acknowledges the support provided by Copyright Agency for us to support The History of Mischief.
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