A charming, deeply imaginative debut novel about a young girl who is immortalized in her father’s illustrated books containing clues to their family secrets.
Romilly Kemp, her cat, Monty, and her eccentric artist father have loving, sheltered lives in a ramshackle mansion in the English countryside. When her father finds fame with a series of children’s books starring Romilly as the main character, everything changes: exotic foods appear on the table, her father appears on TV and strangers appear at their door, convinced the books contain a treasure hunt leading to a glittering prize.
But as time passes, Romilly’s father becomes increasingly suspicious of the outside world until, before her eyes, he begins to disappear altogether. She returns to his illustrations, looking for a way to connect with her ailing father, and finds a series of clues he’s left just for her. This treasure hunt doesn’t lead her to gold or jewels, but something worth far more – a shocking secret that is crucial to understanding her family.
Ramshackle houses? Eccentric artists? Secret stories hidden in the pages of a book. Cats! You had me at hello with this one. I was so excited to read it and, thankfully, Polly Crosby’s rich, evocative writing and glorious storytelling matched and then exceeded my expectations. What I wasn’t prepared for is how sad this story is. I went into it thinking I was in for a light weekend read, but instead was swept up in a profoundly moving tale, with gothic overtones and multiple layers.
I adored Romilly. Her father loves her fiercely and she knows that and yet in many ways she’s neglected and lonely, growing up home schooled. Not even success and some fame assuages that. These compelling characters are not only placed in a vivid setting, and a rather magical premise, but they are dealing with complex themes such as mental health, abandonment, dementia, death and loss. The story is incredibly well plotted. I’d love to read it again soon as I feel a second read would be quite a different experience, with even more layers. It really is that good.
In 2018, Polly Crosby was awarded Curtis Brown Creative’s Yesterday Scholarship to help her finish this novel. As a result, The Book of Hidden Wonders is an exceptional debut. Written with tremendous heart and charisma, it is an unforgettable story about growing up, facing mortality and discovering the hidden wonders that make us who we are. As heartbreaking as it is, the main message is one of hope. It’s a deeply moving coming-of-age tale, that will sweep you up, break your heart, and then leave you haunted for days to come.
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