The Lying Carpet by David Lucas

by David Lucas

Imagine a disused living room in a grand house. In it is a tiger rug and a statue of a little girl. But is the tiger a real tiger, a fake or a magical carpet? Is the little girl real but bewitched or just a stone statue and will she ever come to life? By turns comical and lugubrious, the tiger gives the little girl plenty of versions of the truth, but how will she decide what is true and will she be able to break free?

Genres: Picture Books, Fantasy, Childrens, Kids, Fiction

Hardcover

First published October 5, 2006

About the author

David Lucas has written and illustrated several books for children and was named a Booktrust Best New Illustrator. He lives in London.

Reviews

[Alice-Elizabeth (Prolific Reader Alice) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this one on Audiobook via my library's BorrowBox service!

This is a imaginative parable about a young girl called Faith, who wakes up one day and realises that no matter how hard she tries, she can't seem to move. The tiger carpet that is in the room with her breaks the news that Faith is a stature and not a human. Various stories are then created by the tiger carpet as Faith struggles to come to terms with her new surroundings. But are the stories by the tiger carpet real or just a trick of the imagination? Although a little confusing at times, The Lying Carpet is a very imaginative story, one that children can read and easily create new stories to tell. The narrator was clear and easy to understand.

[Shanshad Whelan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An allegorical story that made me think of the Little Prince. The book's shape and size make it appear to be a picture book, but this is definitely not for the preschooler. Older children and adults however will likely enjoy this imaginative conversation between a statue and a carpet. I think this book is one that will be prone to multiple readings with new meaning taken from it every time. The artwork is equally important to this tale and the pairing makes for a worthwhile book and a great little gift for the thoughtful reader.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of those all ages fables of philosophy that will work for the right audience. I am charmed, but I'd need a reread to know exactly which of you to recommend it to, because I don't quite fully appreciate it.

I do wonder how it can be an audiobook, though. The illustrations are, imo, at least half the appeal.

Anyway, I'm glad that this, the fourth book by Lucas that I read today, is actually original. I've read things that give a similar vibe, yes, or have similar themes... but this is worthy of being added to the world's literature (whereas some of his others just aren't quite).

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not a children's book; it is a philosophical -- or self-help? -- fable, kinda like Jonathan Livingston Seagull. But instead of hitting you over the head with its message, it is subtle, the writing allusive but not cloying.

Maybe it's too subtle. I couldn't figure out if I was missing the point of the book, or if it just wasn't addressed to people like me. Is it about the power of imagination, or maybe of anger? (Faith, the poor statue who is the protagonist of the book, sometimes finds anger a helpful tool to solve a problem, just like Riley in Inside Out.) Whatever it was, it did not speak to me.

The illustrations were cute -- I particularly liked the frown on the tiger rug -- and the story was too. But it's not something I would go out of my way to seek out.

[Kyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those "picture books" left to languish in the J section - not interesting to picture book age readers (too many words, b and w illustrations), too easy-looking for J Readers, and just right for adults. Only how would they come across it? It's a fable, a homily, an illustrated sermon and just lovely. Although, the other day I picked it up entirely not in the mood and dropped it - this morning it was perfect. Maybe it is one of those books that finds you when you're ready.
Recommended by Erin Stead and Phillip Hall, husband and wife writing and illustration dynamic duo. And passed on by me.

[Chris Callaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. It has influences of Lewis Carroll, C. S. Lewis, and Edward Gorey, and it lightheartedly (but not flippantly) explores themes of faith, truth, and paradox. I say "explores" because the book remains ambiguous. And I say "ambiguous" because I can't discern a clear message that the book is sending; the author is consistently elusive. I think instead he just wants to make readers think for themselves. As such, it's a book that will entertain children but captivate older kids and adults. The illustrations are beautiful, and it's often funny, too.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son and I listened to this audio book on a long drive to our holiday.

When the story started, I wasn't sure what to think. It was a bit strange, but it sucked us in. By the end of the disc we both agreed that we really enjoyed the story and how the carpet was talking to the statue.

[Jo Berry ☀️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a strange, but interesting story. It’s sold as a children’s book, but I don’t see why it’s not suitable for any adult - there’s enough here to keep any grown up engaged. In fact, I’m not sure a child would be that keen on it. I’ve only listened to this as an audiobook and I felt like I was listening to a slightly gothic, Victorian short story. It was weird and wonderful. I’ve since discovered the print edition of this book has illustrations, but I didn’t feel I was missing anything just listening to the words.

[Jackie L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure I was in the right head space to read this. When it was over, I wasn’t sure what the message was. I’m paraphrasing, truth is bitter, lies are sweet but the truth is better for you. Hmmm. I’m getting nothing from that. This was recommended to me as a great gift to give a high school graduate. I wanted to read it before giving it. I’m glad I did, not sure my intended recipient would get it.

[Susan Brooijmans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dit boek stond al een paar jaar op de plank. Vanochtend pakte ik het, omdat ik me afvroeg of ik het wel moest bewaren. Ik begon erin te lezen en hield niet meer op tot ik het uit had - niet dat dat moeilijk was, want het is geen erg lang verhaal. Maar wat een mooi boek! Fantasievol en ontroerend, geestig en filosofisch, en vooral totaal 'onpompeus'. Zeker bewaren!

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a bit confusing. Perhaps intended to make the reader as confused as the little girl on the plinth.
The publicity says it is about choices. I think too many choices to really get that theme across. Particularly as the carpet says one thing after another before the little girl can get her head round the last story. So how can she choose?

[Jessica Maddox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spectacular. I enjoyed reading this book out loud with my children. Beautiful illustrations with rich descriptive story.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on Once Upon a Bookcase.

Although I don't read too many children's books, a few people I know raved about how amazing The Lying Carpet is, how it was an early introduction to philosophy, and told me I had to read it, and so on their recommendation, I picked it up and gave it a go - and really enjoyed it!

The story is about Faith, a little girl who one day realises she can't move. The tiger carpet on the floor of the room she's in answers when she starts panicking, and explains that she's a statue, and of course she can't move. The Carpet then regales Faith with differing stories about how she ended up in this room, with the book in her lap, staring out the window, and how he became a carpet. Was he really a real tiger who was hunted? Or was he one of many mass-produced fake tiger carpets? Did he really learn to fly from a Persian rug? Is Faith really under a spell that bewitched her into a statue, or is she just a normal statue? Which is true and which is a lie?

I have to say I'm not one of these clever, analytical readers who can read anything and dig deep and see what's happening below the surface. If it wasn't mentioned to me, I couldn't have told you this book is an early introduction to philosophy, I just don't see things like that when I'm reading. The Lying Carpet as a parable, however, I can see. To me, this book is all about self-belief and hope. The Carpet may lie and tell all sorts of stories, but it's through those stories that Faith learns, and that ultimately bring about her self-belief and her hope - not wish - for more.

The stories - or various "truths" - the carpet tells are full of imagination and humour. I particularly liked the part where the carpet tells Faith about his feet expertise and how he once fell in love with a dancing foot. Every single page is beautiful, whether it be through the wonderful language the story is told with, or the fantastic illustrations - whether they cover the whole page or the little "figures" with their notes to go along with a particular part of the story Carpet is telling. You can see some of these gorgeous illustrations on the page for The Lying Carpet on John Lucas' website.

The Lying Carpet is a sweet and imaginative story, and one I could see many children loving.

[Elizabeth]

Faith, awakens one day to realize she does not have memories of how she came to be in her current place, when a voice from below begins to tell her stories of her past and his. The voice comes from a tiger shaped rug, that may or may not have been hunted in the jungle and turned into a carpet or made in a factory.

This book introduces philosophical questions such as "What is real" and "What is truth" with stories told by the eponymous carpet. While the book is listed as a juvenile title, I suspect it may be a bit high concept for those students. It would, however, work quite well in a high school library's reading nook, since these are the sort of philosophical questions many teens enjoy pondering. It also works beautifully to expand on an idea many of the students will have heard from Harry Potter's Dumbledore. "Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?"

David Lucas, a past winner of both the Publisher's Weekly and Child Magazine's "Best Children's Book" awards (2004) for Halibut Jackson, does beautiful work in black and white, creating a dreamy feel and giving the reader plenty to "read" in the illustrations.

While this work is supplemental for both library and school collections, I do recommend it for those schools with philosophy classes, or those that include the Allegory of the Cave in their curriculum.

[Ms.Gaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lying Carpet by David Lucas is a beautiful book with an intriguing text and delightful illustrations. We begin with a statue of a girl looking out of the window while a book lies open in her lap. Her name is Faith. For centuries Faith has remained silent and immobile, until the day our story begins, when she begins to awaken. A tiny spark of thought leads her to say "I feel as if I have been asleep for ever."
In response she hears a voice telling her "But you have."

That voice belongs to the Carpet - the Carpet that looks like a tiger and is "not a good carpet [for] a good carpet should really only speak when absolutely necessary". This particular Carpet is exceptionally talkative; and he provides Faith with various versions of a multitude of stories, leaving her to decide which stories are true (or perhaps all the stories are true). Although frustrated, Faith enjoys the tiger's talk so much she begs him to tell her "a proper story...a story with a happy ending." He tells her a very long story about a statue that walks and a flying carpet.

This story is available in audio format and while expertly told it doesn't contain the illustrations which add an impressive dimension of depth. To fully enjoy the story, I recommend taking advantage of both editions.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never read a book quite like this.
It's so unlike most contemporary books for older children - and adults - that I know, yet it works perfectly. The two static characters, a girl-statue and a tiger-rug, an armchair and a clock, are depicted in the same frame on every spread. That's novel in itself. But the frame that they form creates a kind of curtain around a stage within which you read carefully, cleverly drawn text, questions and illustrations. Some vignettes expand visually on certain points in detail, and are labelled with roman numerals.
There's humour in these details too, as for example when the Tiger Rug says "I have, as you may imagine, known all kinds of feet." Beneath which, we see four pictures labelled figure xxxi: kinds of feet (a) a budgerigar (b) housefly (c) piano stool (d) dog.
And this adds layers of treasure to the story and the deeper theme. I will return to it to excavate some more so it will for sure, stay by my bedside for a good while.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This children's book isn't actually poetry--I added it to that shelf because it feels like poetry. This beautifully illustrated gem tells the story of the statue of Faith (a little girl reading a book), who suddenly becomes self-aware and starts talking to the tiger rug in the library where they've been placed. The tiger tells her stories of his previous life and insists that she was once a real girl who was enchanted. But his stories keep changing; he keeps telling her he's been lying--he IS a lying carpet after all. What is true? What is real? Can something be the truth and a lie at the same time?

I don't know what age group I'd categorize this for. Like many children's stories, it has appeal on many levels.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this!

I'm trying to decide if I should slip in a few quotes from the lying carpet himself...hmmm...okay, I will!

"...I'm often told I talk too much. A good carpet should really only speak when absolutely necessary -- when the house is on fire, for example. But I am not a good carpet."

"My mind is a richly furnished mansion," said the Carpet, "a mansion of many rooms, but my thoughts have not yet come down to breakfast."

There are many days when my thoughts don't come down to breakfast until after noon, but this review isn't about me...

Finally, I will close with a quote that appears at the beginning of this charming book: "The Truth is Bitter and Lies are Sweet, but the Truth is better for you."

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Storywise, it felt sometimes very natural and other times put-on, like this book is meant to mean something and the story was set to mean something and that was it. It didn't really end that way, though, in that there wasn't a clear "meaning". At least not to be. And yet, it didn't seem to wrap up satisfyingly anyway. There was a tug of nostalgia because of the way the story is presented -- and one of those "this is the book from the story!" moments, which is always sort of cool. But it still felt empty.

[namekuseijin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful alegoric tale for children on the very act of reading, on the power of words over one's will. A true flight of imagination with enough wonder, mystery, humor and wordplay to keep both parent and child enthralled for quite a while. Timeless fairy tale, might I add.

Read it yesterday for my daughter and can't have enough praise for it. Illustrations are also both effective and closely matching the text descriptions.

That about sums it up for me, a new author to seek.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faith sat for centuries looking out the window up at the sky. One day she becomes aware, she can see, she can hear but she is unable to move. When she whispers a voice answers her. The voice is the carpet or so it says. The voice tells her that she is an exceptionally beautiful statue, a valued work of art and it is a former tiger who became a rug. The carpet tells Faith stories of its life and that she is a real girl who has been enchanted. Careful because the carpet is always lying.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic in both senses of the word. I borrowed this from the library but will have to buy a copy. It's hard to say what I loved more; the illustrations or the writing. As the New York Times commented, 'the illustrations are breathtaking.'

I think this book has something wonderful to offer to any age group, apart from the very, very young; and even they may enjoy pointing out things in the illustrations, or chewing on the corners.

Perfect.

[Christiane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a statue that may (or may not) be a girl under a spell and a tiger-skin rug who may (or may not) be a flying carpet. The black and white drawings are beautiful and detailed and tell large parts of the story. The text is poetic and sophisticated. I think many adults will enjoy this gentle story as much as kids will.

[Rebecca Schwarz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely picture book with a little more meat on it's bones for my seven-year-old. An original fairy tale with a statue of a girl and a tiger carpet, who lies in more ways than one. It's about storytelling, and truth and magic. The artwork is delightful. I also enjoyed his picture book The Robot and the Bluebird (I think that's the title). I wish his work were more available in the States.

[Miss Ryoko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully written story. The carpet almost seems to speak in poetry. He has a very eloquent way of speaking, and I appreciate that in a children's book. I enjoyed the story and even though the illustrations were always the same with some different "figures" on each page, I found them interesting to look at.

[Yati · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll go with offbeat.



(Less italicising would've been nice.)

[rr]

Oh, a sweet and quirky allegory!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really sweet, whimsical book around the theme of challenging a person's ideas about him/herself. Perfect for the New Year!

[K. Y. · Rating 5 out of 5]

the pictures are sweet and the poetry is beautiful.

[Caroline Skelly heywood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous.