What’s the point of leaving a review if it doesn’t say something new?
My child and future adults, we have the equivalent of the pastels of the Moomin world topped with the wit of Tony Wolf (Antonio Lupatelli) and the bonkers tendencies of Alice in Wonderland - a wondrous wonder, indeed.
Make no mistake, Camille Jourdy’s fantastical world is authentic, its characters curious and silly, its mood equally witty and soothing, its aesthetic style cordially tender and radiant.
I am partial to sardonic fox(es), grumpy elves, conformist chicken and brilliant elderly characters, amazing colours, and mad creatures doing mad things.
Although there is a depth to this story world and it’s still enjoyable without having to look deeper.
I wish the story were longer - or in other words, I got invested in its characters and world. The premise is not this book’s strongest suit. 4/5 for the plot. 5 x 5 for everything else. I would love to see the characters in other stories; all of them deserve more attention. The translator did a wonderful job. If you are a French speaker, I wonder if the rhymes and jokes have any other nuances. I will give the original a go myself, just because I would be happy to revisit this story world. Luv ya WW!
arsenic, ranch dressing, tutu, pee, nanny, tutu, nanny, Maurice, fox. Have I said fox? Fox.
PS - Man, I’ve had an epiphany. Think both (or all 3) Brueghels’ and Bosch’s work. Now, think the opposite. Haha. It’s the carnivalesque without the grotesque. In other words, it’s cute.