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The Lost Storyteller
THE LOST STORYTELLER is the heartwarming debut novel from a stunning new voice in fiction, Amanda Block.
Rebecca can hardly remember her father Leo Sampson. All she knows is that he was a beloved children's television star who disappeared when she was just six years old, and her family have managed very well without him thank you very much.
But when Ellis, a journalist, turns up at Rebecca's office asking for information about Leo, she begins to wonder if there is more to the story of her father's disappearance than her family have led her to believe.
Then Rebecca is given a book of seven fairy tales, written by Leo, dedicated to his daughter. And through the magic of each of these stories, Rebecca has the chance to get one step closer to the lost storyteller, her father, to discover who he was and what he went through - and even where he might be now . . .
THE LOST STORYTELLER celebrates the magic of forgotten fairy tales and the power and resilience of imagination.
Rebecca can hardly remember her father Leo Sampson. All she knows is that he was a beloved children's television star who disappeared when she was just six years old, and her family have managed very well without him thank you very much.
But when Ellis, a journalist, turns up at Rebecca's office asking for information about Leo, she begins to wonder if there is more to the story of her father's disappearance than her family have led her to believe.
Then Rebecca is given a book of seven fairy tales, written by Leo, dedicated to his daughter. And through the magic of each of these stories, Rebecca has the chance to get one step closer to the lost storyteller, her father, to discover who he was and what he went through - and even where he might be now . . .
THE LOST STORYTELLER celebrates the magic of forgotten fairy tales and the power and resilience of imagination.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published July 8, 2021
96 people are currently reading
3734 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Block
20 books39 followersOriginally from Devon, Amanda moved to Edinburgh in 2007, where she attained a master's degree in creative writing. Since then, she's divided her time between ghostwriting, editing and tutoring.
Amanda's writing is often inspired by myths and fairy tales, which she uses as starting points to tell new stories. Her work has been shortlisted in contests such as the Bridport Prize and the Mslexia Short Story Competition. The Lost Storyteller is her first novel.
Amanda's writing is often inspired by myths and fairy tales, which she uses as starting points to tell new stories. Her work has been shortlisted in contests such as the Bridport Prize and the Mslexia Short Story Competition. The Lost Storyteller is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 293 reviews
July 20, 2021
In a Nutshell: A book with great potential but could have been better written.
Story:
This is a kind of book that would have really clicked with me. It had all the elements that I enjoy in books. But for myriad reasons, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I could have. And most of the problems lie with the characters in the book.
○ I didn’t like Rebecca’s character at all. She comes across as quite an undecided person who sways back and forth in her decisions. I wasn’t convinced about how she kept her dad away from her thoughts for most of her teen and adult life and then suddenly becomes obsessed with finding out the truth about him.
○ On the other hand, the two male lead characters are very well-written. Ellis, the journalist who wants the scoop, comes across as a realistic, level-headed person who knows what he wants and doesn’t hesitate to get it. But the star of the show is Leo himself, even when he isn’t at the front of the scene. The way his mind works, the way he copes with his problems, the way he strives to do his best by his daughter… you will sympathise with him and admire him. The only character from this book who will really make a mark on your mind is Leo Sampson.
The writing is decent enough to keep you going. The plot contains a reference to a book of seven fairy tales written by Leo. And these seven stories-within-the-main-story are the highlight of the book. What creative tales they are! Brilliantly written, excellently connected to Leo’s problems. Unfortunately, because the book blurb contains a reference to these fairy tales, I was expecting the story to contain fantasy or magical realism. Unfortunately, this is restricted only to the above tales. I think the author will work wonders if she writes a full-fledged fantasy/magical realism book, because her strength in that area is clearly visible in those fairy tales.
Overall, the story is a bit predictable but still enjoyable. For a debut full-length work, it does a decent job. But again, I hope the author writes more books related to other-worldly rather than worldly matters. She will surely shine in that genre! And I will be an eager reader of those books.
A 3.5 from me for this work, rounding up to 4.
Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton, for the ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
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Story:
Rebecca, a 25 year old stuck in a dead-end job, is caught unawares when a journalist approaches her for information about her father. After all, she hasn’t seen him or thought about him for almost twenty years. But the journalist, Ellis, is clear that the story behind the disappearance of Leo Sampson, the erstwhile star of a popular children’s show, will be worth digging into. Rebecca finds herself wondering if there is really more to her father’s absence from her life. Together, they decide to solve the mystery.
This is a kind of book that would have really clicked with me. It had all the elements that I enjoy in books. But for myriad reasons, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I could have. And most of the problems lie with the characters in the book.
○ I didn’t like Rebecca’s character at all. She comes across as quite an undecided person who sways back and forth in her decisions. I wasn’t convinced about how she kept her dad away from her thoughts for most of her teen and adult life and then suddenly becomes obsessed with finding out the truth about him.
○ On the other hand, the two male lead characters are very well-written. Ellis, the journalist who wants the scoop, comes across as a realistic, level-headed person who knows what he wants and doesn’t hesitate to get it. But the star of the show is Leo himself, even when he isn’t at the front of the scene. The way his mind works, the way he copes with his problems, the way he strives to do his best by his daughter… you will sympathise with him and admire him. The only character from this book who will really make a mark on your mind is Leo Sampson.
The writing is decent enough to keep you going. The plot contains a reference to a book of seven fairy tales written by Leo. And these seven stories-within-the-main-story are the highlight of the book. What creative tales they are! Brilliantly written, excellently connected to Leo’s problems. Unfortunately, because the book blurb contains a reference to these fairy tales, I was expecting the story to contain fantasy or magical realism. Unfortunately, this is restricted only to the above tales. I think the author will work wonders if she writes a full-fledged fantasy/magical realism book, because her strength in that area is clearly visible in those fairy tales.
Overall, the story is a bit predictable but still enjoyable. For a debut full-length work, it does a decent job. But again, I hope the author writes more books related to other-worldly rather than worldly matters. She will surely shine in that genre! And I will be an eager reader of those books.
A 3.5 from me for this work, rounding up to 4.
Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton, for the ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Follow me on Instagram: RoshReviews
July 8, 2021
The Lost Storyteller is a spellbinding debut novel of family secrets, the magic of forgotten fairy tales and the power of imagination. Rebecca can hardly remember her father Leo Sampson. All she knows is that he was a beloved children's television star who disappeared when she was just six years old, and her family have managed very well without him thank you very much. But when Ellis, a journalist, turns up at Rebecca's office asking for information about Leo, she begins to wonder if there is more to the story of her father's disappearance than her family have led her to believe. Then Rebecca is given a book of seven fairy tales, written by Leo, dedicated to his daughter. And through the magic of each of these stories, Rebecca has the chance to get one step closer to the lost storyteller, her father, to discover who he was and what he went through - and even where he might be now.
This is a captivating and richly mesmerising read that celebrates the magic of forgotten folk and fairy tales and the power and resilience of imagination. It's is an exquisite tale woven together by finely wrought prose and is dark yet uplifting, breathtakingly in parts and immediately powerful. I was completely swept up in Rebecca’s journey, and Leo’s fairytales. It’s a novel of hope and love, and it explores the importance of stories, and the way storytellers communicate their hardest realities through make-believe. The Lost Storyteller celebrates creativity and empathy and the power of stories to whisk you away to another world – both of which are more important now, in these troubling times, than ever before. I found it a delightful read and it certainly offers readers a little escapism and nostalgia for the stories of their own childhoods. Highly recommended.
This is a captivating and richly mesmerising read that celebrates the magic of forgotten folk and fairy tales and the power and resilience of imagination. It's is an exquisite tale woven together by finely wrought prose and is dark yet uplifting, breathtakingly in parts and immediately powerful. I was completely swept up in Rebecca’s journey, and Leo’s fairytales. It’s a novel of hope and love, and it explores the importance of stories, and the way storytellers communicate their hardest realities through make-believe. The Lost Storyteller celebrates creativity and empathy and the power of stories to whisk you away to another world – both of which are more important now, in these troubling times, than ever before. I found it a delightful read and it certainly offers readers a little escapism and nostalgia for the stories of their own childhoods. Highly recommended.
March 29, 2022
Three and a half stars
Rebeca hasn’t seen or heard from her father since was a young child. The family, which includes her mother, uncle and grandmother never even mention his name. The topic of Leo Sampson is off limits completely. All Rebecca really knows is that he was a star of a children’s tv program called the stowaway which ran for two seasons before Leo disappeared. When Ellis, a journalist, appears in her office asking questions about Leo, Rebecca starts to wonder if there is more to Leo’s disappearance than she realised. While looking for answers, she is given a book of fairy tales by her grandmother Lillian. It is written by her father and dedicated to Birdie, which is what Leo called Rebecca. Rebecca is convinced the book holds the key to finding her father. Is he even still alive? If so, where is he? Why has he never been in touch since he left?
Rebecca pieces together a picture of her father from her scant memories and the book of fairy tales she believes echo his life. The seven fairy tales are included as chapters of this book. Like many old fairy tales they are quite dark. Rebecca begins to investigate with a bit of help from Ellis. Something more than friendship seems to spring up between her and Ellis. But can he be trusted? Or is Ellis looking out for himself?
This was an engaging book that captured my interest. Some use of the f word intruded on what could have been an even more enjoyable book. It is an interesting exploration of relationships and the effect mental illness can play on them. The ending though felt a little flat to me. But t could be just me on that aspect.
February 11, 2022
This book had a ton of potential but wasn’t executed all that well. It had all of the elements - An actor who disappeared suddenly from the limelight and no one has heard from him in decades + a cryptic book of fairytales that may contain some clues to his disappearance = a charming and magical mystery to be solved. Except the mystery wasn’t all that charming and there was no magic whatsoever. I’ll admit, I was hoping for a dash of magical realism and a dollop of fantasy but there was none to be found. Please look elsewhere. Instead, it was a drawn out fiction that focused on family dysfunction. The ending was quite sad and pathetic really. Not at all heartwarming.
The biggest problem I had was the pacing. At times, it was like watching paint dry. There was too much emphasis on the daughter, her precarious relationships and her budding love interest. Blah, blah, blah…I wanted WAY MORE MYSTERY! I wanted the fairytales to come to life and play a much bigger role in the plot. I forced myself to plow on to the end but honestly it was a waste of time. The audio performance was average. Disappointing read as a whole.
The biggest problem I had was the pacing. At times, it was like watching paint dry. There was too much emphasis on the daughter, her precarious relationships and her budding love interest. Blah, blah, blah…I wanted WAY MORE MYSTERY! I wanted the fairytales to come to life and play a much bigger role in the plot. I forced myself to plow on to the end but honestly it was a waste of time. The audio performance was average. Disappointing read as a whole.
June 14, 2022
The Lost Storyteller is a wonderful and emotionally charged read.
It's one woman's journey to find her father whilst trying to untangle the family's dark secrets with one book of 7 fairy tales and a journalist.
Definitely a book to recommend especially if you want something a little different 📚
It's one woman's journey to find her father whilst trying to untangle the family's dark secrets with one book of 7 fairy tales and a journalist.
Definitely a book to recommend especially if you want something a little different 📚
May 15, 2022
Imaginative, mysterious, and moving!
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 is a captivating, beguiling tale that sweeps you away to the UK and into the life of Rebecca Chase, a young woman who, after being contacted by Ellis Bailey, a journalist hoping to write an article about her father who starred in the successful children’s program, The Stowaway, until the late 1990s when after two seasons he vanished without a trace, decides to join forces with him to finally discover what really happened to her beloved father she hasn’t seen since she was a little girl and who actually left her a book of fairy tales that has been hidden by her maternal grandmother for many years and which may hold all the clues she’ll ever need to find him.
The prose is eloquent and expressive. The characters are multilayered, apprehensive, and determined. And the plot is a tender tale about life, loss, family, friendship, secrets, attraction, self-discovery, mental illness, special moments, forgiveness, contentment, taking chances, and the enchantment of fairy tales.
Overall, 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 is a heart-tugging, absorbing, magical debut by Block that highlights the unconditional, everlasting love that exists between a parent and a child and is a beautiful reminder of the importance and power of stories.
Thank you to Mobius Books US for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 is a captivating, beguiling tale that sweeps you away to the UK and into the life of Rebecca Chase, a young woman who, after being contacted by Ellis Bailey, a journalist hoping to write an article about her father who starred in the successful children’s program, The Stowaway, until the late 1990s when after two seasons he vanished without a trace, decides to join forces with him to finally discover what really happened to her beloved father she hasn’t seen since she was a little girl and who actually left her a book of fairy tales that has been hidden by her maternal grandmother for many years and which may hold all the clues she’ll ever need to find him.
The prose is eloquent and expressive. The characters are multilayered, apprehensive, and determined. And the plot is a tender tale about life, loss, family, friendship, secrets, attraction, self-discovery, mental illness, special moments, forgiveness, contentment, taking chances, and the enchantment of fairy tales.
Overall, 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 is a heart-tugging, absorbing, magical debut by Block that highlights the unconditional, everlasting love that exists between a parent and a child and is a beautiful reminder of the importance and power of stories.
Thank you to Mobius Books US for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 6, 2021
Family is complicated. I mean, that's no secret. But Rebecca-not-Becks' family has one particularly big secret. Her father disappeared. He vanished one day and nobody knows (or wants to say) if he is alive or not.
Rebecca is in her mid-twenties and she does not feel like she needs her dad anymore. I mean, it has been so long after all. But then a journalist named Elis ends up on her doorstep (okay, okay, he sent an e-mail first, like a normal person) and starts asking questions. Together they will start a journey to find out what really happened years ago. And why did her father leave her a book full of fairy tales?
*
I was honoured to have a chat with the author (Link will be provided in my link tree on my instagram @pannafox <3). It is so beautifully written and even though it seems easy, well... family never is, is it?
Rebecca is in her mid-twenties and she does not feel like she needs her dad anymore. I mean, it has been so long after all. But then a journalist named Elis ends up on her doorstep (okay, okay, he sent an e-mail first, like a normal person) and starts asking questions. Together they will start a journey to find out what really happened years ago. And why did her father leave her a book full of fairy tales?
*
I was honoured to have a chat with the author (Link will be provided in my link tree on my instagram @pannafox <3). It is so beautifully written and even though it seems easy, well... family never is, is it?
May 11, 2022
Thank you Mobius Books for the digital review copy!
This book was so great. Such a touching father-daughter story about a daughter searching for her father who disappeared from her life at a young age. This book deals with mental health, and the taboo surrounding it, which I think the author did a great job in bringing out the different generational views on mental health.
A strong debut, and a great story!
This book was so great. Such a touching father-daughter story about a daughter searching for her father who disappeared from her life at a young age. This book deals with mental health, and the taboo surrounding it, which I think the author did a great job in bringing out the different generational views on mental health.
A strong debut, and a great story!
May 13, 2022
TITLE: THE LOST STORYTELLER
AUTHOR: Amanda Block
PUB DATE: 05.10.2022 Now Available
REVIEW:
This is the perfect book for May Mental Health month. The Lost Storyteller is a story about a daughter in search for her father, and the bond that develops from that relationship.
The writing is beautiful and moving - the way a daughter searches for her father who disappeared from her life at a young age, and how the mystery is written within the book in the form of fairy tales is just brilliant.
AUTHOR: Amanda Block
PUB DATE: 05.10.2022 Now Available
REVIEW:
This is the perfect book for May Mental Health month. The Lost Storyteller is a story about a daughter in search for her father, and the bond that develops from that relationship.
The writing is beautiful and moving - the way a daughter searches for her father who disappeared from her life at a young age, and how the mystery is written within the book in the form of fairy tales is just brilliant.
May 19, 2022
2.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Lost Storyteller.
First, the things I did like:
The fairy tales Leo had written for his daughter; they were dark, somber and hopeful, though not by much.
Like real life and real fairy tales, they reflected his mental health struggles as well as demonstrating how difficult it is live life when life is hard.
Second, I really appreciated how the author treated Leo's mental health illness with compassion and care.
I've read so many thrillers and suspense novels that portray characters with mental health problems as dangerous or psychotic and that's simply not true.
Third, Leo makes a point to say how most of the people he met during the course of his treatment were caring and supportive; they were willing to help as long as he sought help.
Leo is a believable, relatable character; I sympathized deeply with his personal struggles, how he worked hard to get help and get better and do better.
The writing was good, and I enjoyed the descriptions of Edinburgh, especially since I was there in 2016 and had a great time.
What I didn't like: Rebecca.
I couldn't stand her. I wouldn't want to be her friend in real life.
She was judgmental, snobby, and a brat.
She mentions constantly how she's too old for fairy tales, she passes judgement on how Ellis looks/dresses; the decor of a restaurant if it doesn't meet her standards, I have no idea why she was snobby considering her modest upbringing.
Most times, I kept thinking Rebecca was a teenager since she whined so much; I had to remind myself she was in her mid-20s.
Yeah, you can whine in your mid-20s, but jeez, take a chill pill, Rebecca. L
She was so unlikable and as the main character it was hard to sympathize as she and Ellis went looking for her dad.
I'm not a fan of contrived romances, and that's how the growing relationship felt between Ellis and Rebecca for me.
Besides, he could do better than her, and why does every novel have to feature a romance between the main characters, like I always say?
I ended up liking Leo far more than I expected to, since I assumed he was a deadbeat dad.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Lost Storyteller.
First, the things I did like:
The fairy tales Leo had written for his daughter; they were dark, somber and hopeful, though not by much.
Like real life and real fairy tales, they reflected his mental health struggles as well as demonstrating how difficult it is live life when life is hard.
Second, I really appreciated how the author treated Leo's mental health illness with compassion and care.
I've read so many thrillers and suspense novels that portray characters with mental health problems as dangerous or psychotic and that's simply not true.
Third, Leo makes a point to say how most of the people he met during the course of his treatment were caring and supportive; they were willing to help as long as he sought help.
Leo is a believable, relatable character; I sympathized deeply with his personal struggles, how he worked hard to get help and get better and do better.
The writing was good, and I enjoyed the descriptions of Edinburgh, especially since I was there in 2016 and had a great time.
What I didn't like: Rebecca.
I couldn't stand her. I wouldn't want to be her friend in real life.
She was judgmental, snobby, and a brat.
She mentions constantly how she's too old for fairy tales, she passes judgement on how Ellis looks/dresses; the decor of a restaurant if it doesn't meet her standards, I have no idea why she was snobby considering her modest upbringing.
Most times, I kept thinking Rebecca was a teenager since she whined so much; I had to remind myself she was in her mid-20s.
Yeah, you can whine in your mid-20s, but jeez, take a chill pill, Rebecca. L
She was so unlikable and as the main character it was hard to sympathize as she and Ellis went looking for her dad.
I'm not a fan of contrived romances, and that's how the growing relationship felt between Ellis and Rebecca for me.
Besides, he could do better than her, and why does every novel have to feature a romance between the main characters, like I always say?
I ended up liking Leo far more than I expected to, since I assumed he was a deadbeat dad.
July 7, 2021
This is a really entertaining, enjoyable and satisfying story that includes family drama, fairytales, a bit of mystery and a romance.
The central mystery of the story about what happened to Rebecca's father Leo, a popular TV star back in the 90s who disappeared from the spotlight and Rebecca's life when she was still a child, kept me guessing throughout and I loved following Rebecca's journey of discovery about her father and her family history.
Rebecca is an endearing and believable character and the growing relationship between her and Ellis, a journalist who helps her investigate what happened to Leo, was well developed and a joy to follow.
One of the best things about the book is the fairytales woven throughout the plot which make up a collection of stories left for Rebecca by her father. Each fairytale is mysterious, unsettling and appears to be packed full of secret meaning which Rebecca tries to decipher in case there are clues about what happened to her father hidden in the stories.
This is an ideal book for story lovers and the plot offers so much to keep you hooked and entertained throughout. A brilliant debut novel and an author I will be looking forward to reading more from in the future.
Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC.
The central mystery of the story about what happened to Rebecca's father Leo, a popular TV star back in the 90s who disappeared from the spotlight and Rebecca's life when she was still a child, kept me guessing throughout and I loved following Rebecca's journey of discovery about her father and her family history.
Rebecca is an endearing and believable character and the growing relationship between her and Ellis, a journalist who helps her investigate what happened to Leo, was well developed and a joy to follow.
One of the best things about the book is the fairytales woven throughout the plot which make up a collection of stories left for Rebecca by her father. Each fairytale is mysterious, unsettling and appears to be packed full of secret meaning which Rebecca tries to decipher in case there are clues about what happened to her father hidden in the stories.
This is an ideal book for story lovers and the plot offers so much to keep you hooked and entertained throughout. A brilliant debut novel and an author I will be looking forward to reading more from in the future.
Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC.
January 24, 2024
4,5⭐️
July 12, 2021
This one started well but soon lost it's way. A young woman has managed to put her father's disappearance behind her and move on with her life. But now a journalist is looking to find him. At first she refuses to co-operate with him but when her grandmother gives her a book of fairytales written by her father she teams up with the journo to find him. Started well but then became boring and predictable.
October 6, 2022
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for approving me for an ARC of this book.
Our story begins with Rebecca being quizzed about her missing father by the handsome journalist, Ellis. Since Rebecca was a young child she has not seen him and no one in her family ever talks about him but when her nan gives her a gift, that was sent to her by her father, Rebecca’s interest grows.
Whilst reading through the fairy tales left to her by her father, Rebecca starts to unravel his story and learn why her father left her all those years ago. She enlists the help of Ellis and starts to track down people from his past, some of whom have rather harsh things to say about him.
I was intrigued by Leo’s story from the start and wanted to know what had happened to him and if Rebecca would find him again. It soon became clear that Rebecca was only hearing one side of the story and I desperately wanted to see her get the answers to all of her questions.
I adored the fairy tales and the hidden meanings behind them, it felt like Rebecca and Ellis were on a treasure hunt and that really gave the story a unique edge. The darkness described throughout out depicted mental health issues perfectly and showed the many ways it can manifest itself. From Leo’s mother to the difficulties he faced himself, this story gave a fresh take on a apt situation.
The Lost Storyteller is a cleverly written, magical book that beautifully entwines fairy tales with the modern world. I’m excited to see what Amanda block writes next!
Our story begins with Rebecca being quizzed about her missing father by the handsome journalist, Ellis. Since Rebecca was a young child she has not seen him and no one in her family ever talks about him but when her nan gives her a gift, that was sent to her by her father, Rebecca’s interest grows.
Whilst reading through the fairy tales left to her by her father, Rebecca starts to unravel his story and learn why her father left her all those years ago. She enlists the help of Ellis and starts to track down people from his past, some of whom have rather harsh things to say about him.
I was intrigued by Leo’s story from the start and wanted to know what had happened to him and if Rebecca would find him again. It soon became clear that Rebecca was only hearing one side of the story and I desperately wanted to see her get the answers to all of her questions.
I adored the fairy tales and the hidden meanings behind them, it felt like Rebecca and Ellis were on a treasure hunt and that really gave the story a unique edge. The darkness described throughout out depicted mental health issues perfectly and showed the many ways it can manifest itself. From Leo’s mother to the difficulties he faced himself, this story gave a fresh take on a apt situation.
The Lost Storyteller is a cleverly written, magical book that beautifully entwines fairy tales with the modern world. I’m excited to see what Amanda block writes next!
December 26, 2022
The inclusion of seven beautifully written, original fairy tales elevated this book from a 3 to a 4 for me. I found the male characters, Ellis, Cam and Leo, realistic and compelling. Rebecca, the main character, did not fare quite so well.
Presented with a book of fairy tales from her absentee father, Rebecca isn’t sure she can even be bothered to read them because she’s in her twenties and fairy tales are for children. This was the first of many decisions she made that didn’t ring true. When she then does a complete about face and becomes obsessed with tracking her father down, while still not sure there’s much value to the book of fairy tales, the only clue she has for him, I came close to giving up on Rebecca and on the book.
In the end, I’m glad I read it. Without giving anything away, there’s a brilliant explanation of a major plot point near the end. That and the seven fairy tales were worth the price of the book.
Presented with a book of fairy tales from her absentee father, Rebecca isn’t sure she can even be bothered to read them because she’s in her twenties and fairy tales are for children. This was the first of many decisions she made that didn’t ring true. When she then does a complete about face and becomes obsessed with tracking her father down, while still not sure there’s much value to the book of fairy tales, the only clue she has for him, I came close to giving up on Rebecca and on the book.
In the end, I’m glad I read it. Without giving anything away, there’s a brilliant explanation of a major plot point near the end. That and the seven fairy tales were worth the price of the book.
November 29, 2023
I pretty much have no complaints about this one. I really dig all of its components. The slow burn satisfying romance, the fairy tales that weave throughout, the themes perception and the complexity of being a person, the lost feeling of 25 when you've "taken a wrong turn" and are too deep in it to realize. Everything worked really well individually and in conjunction with the other components. I loved it. I only drop a star because I'm unsure if it will be something I return to or that stays with me. We'll see I guess, maybe I'll come back and up it to a five.
August 15, 2021
I am struggling to find words to express how much I loved this book, even as I write this over a week after finishing it. The Lost Storyteller is easily one of the best books I have read this year so far, and it's almost hard to believe it's only this author's debut!
This book has everything: a compelling mystery in the search for Leo, Rebecca's father; family secrets; creepy, multilayered fairytales; atmospheric settings; a slow burn romance; and, above all, the strength of human relationships. This book is about Rebecca's search for her father, yes, but it's also about so much more.
As Rebecca embarks on her journey into the past, which takes her across England and Scotland, she takes us readers along a parallel journey. This is a journey of self-discovery, about finding your place in the world and being true to yourself, discovering little by little what are the things that matter the most and going after them. It's a journey of acceptance and, possibly, forgiveness, without shying away from the difficulties and the ugliness that sometimes lie in between.
This, for me, was the true strength of this book: its honest, multilayered depiction of family, love and life, mental health and the battles that are fought just under the surface, unknown to everyone else. The author's beautiful writing style certainly helped, as she perfectly managed to paint a picture with her words, so much so that I could almost see this playing out as a movie (which very, very rarely happens to me). I was completely captivated by this from the beginning right up to the very last page. I loved the delicate yet honest way in which mental health was described, showing the character's persistence and resilience as well as the struggles.
The seven fairytales written by Leo for Rebecca are a brilliant inclusion, and definitely helped this book to become even stronger. These allegorical tales were the perfect blend of creepy and magical while helping to give a clearer picture of Leo's character. Now, I have to admit from reading the summary at first I thought there would be a magical element to this (think The Hazel Wood or Inkheart), but that wasn't the case and I am actually really happy about this, as I think grounding the story in reality made its message even stronger.
The Lost Storyteller was a wonderful surprise since, while I had an inkling I would enjoy it, I never expected to love it as much as I did. I am very much looking forward to Amanda Block's next work.
For more reviews, visit Book for Thought.
I received an e-arc of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
This book has everything: a compelling mystery in the search for Leo, Rebecca's father; family secrets; creepy, multilayered fairytales; atmospheric settings; a slow burn romance; and, above all, the strength of human relationships. This book is about Rebecca's search for her father, yes, but it's also about so much more.
As Rebecca embarks on her journey into the past, which takes her across England and Scotland, she takes us readers along a parallel journey. This is a journey of self-discovery, about finding your place in the world and being true to yourself, discovering little by little what are the things that matter the most and going after them. It's a journey of acceptance and, possibly, forgiveness, without shying away from the difficulties and the ugliness that sometimes lie in between.
This, for me, was the true strength of this book: its honest, multilayered depiction of family, love and life, mental health and the battles that are fought just under the surface, unknown to everyone else. The author's beautiful writing style certainly helped, as she perfectly managed to paint a picture with her words, so much so that I could almost see this playing out as a movie (which very, very rarely happens to me). I was completely captivated by this from the beginning right up to the very last page. I loved the delicate yet honest way in which mental health was described, showing the character's persistence and resilience as well as the struggles.
The seven fairytales written by Leo for Rebecca are a brilliant inclusion, and definitely helped this book to become even stronger. These allegorical tales were the perfect blend of creepy and magical while helping to give a clearer picture of Leo's character. Now, I have to admit from reading the summary at first I thought there would be a magical element to this (think The Hazel Wood or Inkheart), but that wasn't the case and I am actually really happy about this, as I think grounding the story in reality made its message even stronger.
The Lost Storyteller was a wonderful surprise since, while I had an inkling I would enjoy it, I never expected to love it as much as I did. I am very much looking forward to Amanda Block's next work.
For more reviews, visit Book for Thought.
I received an e-arc of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
July 24, 2021
Rebecca and Leo will stay with you long after the last page. Great read! Mental health issues, fairy tales and family dramas abound. For a great review read Amelia Gkavea's review at http://theopinionatedreaderblog.word
September 19, 2022
Lovely book mingling fantasy and reality. Just what I needed.
September 10, 2022
Started off with a duff chapter. Nevertheless after persevering it went from strength to strength.
I actually did like Becca and all of the other characters.
She reminded me of my own experiences. It was refreshing to read about mental health problems and attitudes around Mental health. Prince William and Princess Diane talk about mental health and everyone having mental health.
I loved the stories- naturally, as I read loads of myths and fairytales. I found the link really evocative of the demons within.
My favourite parts were with Roslyne and Becca, when she made cake ( Brigit Jones moment) and when she drank Pims. The writing was really realistic and evocative. I liked that Becca wasn't saccharine and said what she disliked. The dialogue and thought processes around it were very sharp.
Brilliant author, Brilliant book.
I actually did like Becca and all of the other characters.
She reminded me of my own experiences. It was refreshing to read about mental health problems and attitudes around Mental health. Prince William and Princess Diane talk about mental health and everyone having mental health.
I loved the stories- naturally, as I read loads of myths and fairytales. I found the link really evocative of the demons within.
My favourite parts were with Roslyne and Becca, when she made cake ( Brigit Jones moment) and when she drank Pims. The writing was really realistic and evocative. I liked that Becca wasn't saccharine and said what she disliked. The dialogue and thought processes around it were very sharp.
Brilliant author, Brilliant book.
October 28, 2022
5/5 🌟
such a unique, well written book. i haven’t read anything like this before, which really intrigued me from the start. the characters are well written and enjoyable to “watch”. the premise of the book was really interesting, when i picked it up i first thought it was contemporary with a fantasy element. however, after reading and realizing it is just contemporary, i liked it so much more! the themes addressed in this book are some really important ones that i haven’t seen touched on in a book i’ve read yet. i haven’t enjoyed a book this much in a while. i definitely recommend this to anyone who loves contemporary novels with an air of mystery and romance.
such a unique, well written book. i haven’t read anything like this before, which really intrigued me from the start. the characters are well written and enjoyable to “watch”. the premise of the book was really interesting, when i picked it up i first thought it was contemporary with a fantasy element. however, after reading and realizing it is just contemporary, i liked it so much more! the themes addressed in this book are some really important ones that i haven’t seen touched on in a book i’ve read yet. i haven’t enjoyed a book this much in a while. i definitely recommend this to anyone who loves contemporary novels with an air of mystery and romance.
November 17, 2021
A magical debut of the love of families- the love between a parent and a child.
I loved the use of the fairytales to narrate parts of the story - the darkness described was a great metaphor for some of the mental health issues covered. The relationships between the characters were complex and intriguing and I really enjoyed how we were invited to understand the past from the different viewpoints.
January 23, 2022
In het eerste boek van Amanda Block volgen we Rebecca die na bijna 20 jaar op zoek gaat naar haar vader, Leo Sampson. Een oud boek met vertelsels, geschreven door Leo, geeft haar tips over wie haar vader was, wat er met hem gebeurd is en waar hij zich zou kunnen bevinden. Op haar queeste wordt ze geholpen door de jonge journalist Ellis. (Voel je 'm al komen? 😏 Nee, verwacht geen al te onverwachte plottwists of wendingen in dit verhaal. )
Ik weet het niet zo goed met dit boek ... Nochtans waren de lovende kritieken op deze debuutroman de reden waarom ik zo blij was toen ik 'm onder de kerstboom zag blinken. Is er taalnuance verloren gegaan bij het vertolken? Misschien.
De personages voelden oppervlakkig en gehaast, net als de verhalen van Leo. En wat is dat met (groot)moeders aanspreken met hun voornaam?! Toch wist deel 3 van het boek mij te charmeren, waardoor het debuut van mij 3 sterren krijgt. Een fijne roman voor op vakantie, over familiedrama's, mentale gezondheid en hoe sprookjes ook volwassenen blijven betoveren.
Ik weet het niet zo goed met dit boek ... Nochtans waren de lovende kritieken op deze debuutroman de reden waarom ik zo blij was toen ik 'm onder de kerstboom zag blinken. Is er taalnuance verloren gegaan bij het vertolken? Misschien.
De personages voelden oppervlakkig en gehaast, net als de verhalen van Leo. En wat is dat met (groot)moeders aanspreken met hun voornaam?! Toch wist deel 3 van het boek mij te charmeren, waardoor het debuut van mij 3 sterren krijgt. Een fijne roman voor op vakantie, over familiedrama's, mentale gezondheid en hoe sprookjes ook volwassenen blijven betoveren.
January 5, 2022
The lost story teller by Amanda Block
Book review : ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ (3/5)
Spoiler - no spoilers
Rebecca hasn’t seen her father since she was 6 years old and has not thought much of it since. But after a journalist comes snooping around to try and find his whereabouts, she begins to wonder what happened to him. After asking questions, she is given a book from her family about fairytales. They hope this would provide some answers since it was the only thing that Rebecca’s father left her. A book that he himself has written just for her that only she will understand. But these aren’t your typical fairytales. These fairytales will guide her through the past and into her future.
Although I did expect more of a magical presence, especially at the end, I went into this book not having a clue on what it was about so I feel I wasn’t too disappointed with my expectations. It seemed a bit of a slow starter but once the fairytales started I was hooked. The Author did such a good job at not only creating the fairytales, which felt like classics, but in bringing them to life. That felt rather magical and can’t have been an easy task to do. I found myself wanting more fairytales and less plot story though, so unfortunately the book felt less enticing in areas. I did however like how they both entwined together.
It is a book that guides you through the thought process, so if you are looking for a shock or big reveal you won’t get it from the book. Its more of the journey. And although I loved the theme of the story, I do feel it could have been 100 pages shorter at the end. We get all our questions answered and I can’t help but feel maybe a little mystery wouldn’t have been so bad. Maybe we could have got the answers in a final fairytale.
Overall Amanda Block shows that fairytales can still be magical at any age and that life itself is a fairytale because it can either be magical or just a cautionary tale.
Book review : ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ (3/5)
Spoiler - no spoilers
Rebecca hasn’t seen her father since she was 6 years old and has not thought much of it since. But after a journalist comes snooping around to try and find his whereabouts, she begins to wonder what happened to him. After asking questions, she is given a book from her family about fairytales. They hope this would provide some answers since it was the only thing that Rebecca’s father left her. A book that he himself has written just for her that only she will understand. But these aren’t your typical fairytales. These fairytales will guide her through the past and into her future.
Although I did expect more of a magical presence, especially at the end, I went into this book not having a clue on what it was about so I feel I wasn’t too disappointed with my expectations. It seemed a bit of a slow starter but once the fairytales started I was hooked. The Author did such a good job at not only creating the fairytales, which felt like classics, but in bringing them to life. That felt rather magical and can’t have been an easy task to do. I found myself wanting more fairytales and less plot story though, so unfortunately the book felt less enticing in areas. I did however like how they both entwined together.
It is a book that guides you through the thought process, so if you are looking for a shock or big reveal you won’t get it from the book. Its more of the journey. And although I loved the theme of the story, I do feel it could have been 100 pages shorter at the end. We get all our questions answered and I can’t help but feel maybe a little mystery wouldn’t have been so bad. Maybe we could have got the answers in a final fairytale.
Overall Amanda Block shows that fairytales can still be magical at any age and that life itself is a fairytale because it can either be magical or just a cautionary tale.
January 8, 2023
My second read of the year, and catching up on my 12 Challenge from last year, was 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 by Amanda Block. Thank you to Chantelle at brewfiction for recommending it to me 🥰
I usually try to avoid spoilers in my book reviews, but there are some unavoidable spoilers below, so if you'd rather go into the story blind please don't read on.
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𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐋𝐞𝐨𝐬 ... 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐲 ... 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐨
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The Last Storyteller follows Rebecca, a young woman whose life is at a bit of a standstill, until it is interrupted by a journalist named Ellis who is trying to track down her estranged father.
Rebecca's father Leo was a big star in the children's TV show The Stowaway, but after leaving the show when Rebecca was a child, he seems to have fallen off the face of the Earth, and noone can find any trace of him.
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'𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐟𝐟 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲, 𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭,' 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐝, '𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐟𝐞𝐰 𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐣𝐨𝐛𝐬. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 '𝟗𝟕 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝.'
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After being prompted with some questions, Rebecca realised that her family have kept her in the dark about her father, and that she would like to know more about him, and perhaps track him down. After all, the few memories she does have of him are filled with magic and wonder; he seemed to always be playing games and telling stories.
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𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞, 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐡𝐞'𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐛𝐛𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐠𝐨, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐜𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐦: 𝐧𝐨 𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐞, 𝐧𝐨 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐜𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐭.
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When Rebecca begins to raise questions directly to her family, and expresses a desire to find her father - a completely natural and understandable desire - it does not initially land well. It's clear that more has occurred within the family than Rebecca realised, but despite her family's attempts to dissaude her, she wants to know the truth for herself.
But Rebecca is surprised when her grandmother Lillian gives her a small green book of fairytales - a book that her father wrote - and she is understandably upset that her family have hidden this, and other things relating to her father, from her for so long.
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𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐱, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐰 𝐚 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤. 𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰, 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞-𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝'𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 - 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝-𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐤 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 - 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞, 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: 𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬.
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I really liked the depiction of Rebecca's relationship with her mother Rosalyn, and it is a very realistic depiction, though I did find Rosalyn to be an unlikeable character as she is quite narcissistic
Relationships between parents can break down for many reasons, and children (even as adults) are often left in the dark, or subdued by the emotional immaturity of their parents when they ask questions.
I appreciate that for Rosalyn, she has sought to protect Rebecca from harm, especially following some events that transpired in her childhood, but her judgement is significantly distorted with her own petulant feelings, rather than recognising her child's needs.
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'𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐭, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞: 𝐥𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐡𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐥𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐝𝐲𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧, 𝐥𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐠𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 - 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐌𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐲, 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞'𝐥𝐥 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐧𝐨. 𝐇𝐞 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝. 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬.'
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I loved how Seven Tales, and the stories within, were woven into Rebecca's quest to find her father, though I definitely have to disagree with Rebecca's initial judgement that fairytales are just for children. I myself love folklore and fairytales!
Each story reveals something about Leo, and about different points in his life, giving Rebecca some indication of the truth, and of how to find her father. But can she unravel fact from fiction, realism from magic, and can she find all the clues to solve this puzzle?
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𝐑𝐞𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐜𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐩, 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞, 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝, 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝, 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬. 𝐈𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐰.
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Rebecca isn't alone in her efforts to find Leo, and she soon strikes up a friendship with Ellis, who is intrigued by the story and also has a desire to find Leo. But they both have their own agenda, and both have secrets which eventually come spilling out.
I liked the romantic element that evolved between Rebecca and Ellis, and how the adventure of finding her dad - despite the complex myriad of emotions that came with it - led to her figuring out what she wants from life, and most importantly, what she doesn't want.
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𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐭, 𝐭𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞'𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐭, 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠.
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(Continued in comments)
I usually try to avoid spoilers in my book reviews, but there are some unavoidable spoilers below, so if you'd rather go into the story blind please don't read on.
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𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐋𝐞𝐨𝐬 ... 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐲 ... 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐨
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The Last Storyteller follows Rebecca, a young woman whose life is at a bit of a standstill, until it is interrupted by a journalist named Ellis who is trying to track down her estranged father.
Rebecca's father Leo was a big star in the children's TV show The Stowaway, but after leaving the show when Rebecca was a child, he seems to have fallen off the face of the Earth, and noone can find any trace of him.
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'𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐟𝐟 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲, 𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭,' 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐝, '𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐟𝐞𝐰 𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐣𝐨𝐛𝐬. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 '𝟗𝟕 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝.'
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After being prompted with some questions, Rebecca realised that her family have kept her in the dark about her father, and that she would like to know more about him, and perhaps track him down. After all, the few memories she does have of him are filled with magic and wonder; he seemed to always be playing games and telling stories.
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𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞, 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐡𝐞'𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐛𝐛𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐠𝐨, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐜𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐦: 𝐧𝐨 𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐞, 𝐧𝐨 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐜𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐭.
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When Rebecca begins to raise questions directly to her family, and expresses a desire to find her father - a completely natural and understandable desire - it does not initially land well. It's clear that more has occurred within the family than Rebecca realised, but despite her family's attempts to dissaude her, she wants to know the truth for herself.
But Rebecca is surprised when her grandmother Lillian gives her a small green book of fairytales - a book that her father wrote - and she is understandably upset that her family have hidden this, and other things relating to her father, from her for so long.
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𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐱, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐰 𝐚 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤. 𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰, 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞-𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝'𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 - 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝-𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐤 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 - 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞, 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: 𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬.
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I really liked the depiction of Rebecca's relationship with her mother Rosalyn, and it is a very realistic depiction, though I did find Rosalyn to be an unlikeable character as she is quite narcissistic
Relationships between parents can break down for many reasons, and children (even as adults) are often left in the dark, or subdued by the emotional immaturity of their parents when they ask questions.
I appreciate that for Rosalyn, she has sought to protect Rebecca from harm, especially following some events that transpired in her childhood, but her judgement is significantly distorted with her own petulant feelings, rather than recognising her child's needs.
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'𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐭, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞: 𝐥𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐡𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐥𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐝𝐲𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧, 𝐥𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐠𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 - 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐌𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐲, 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞'𝐥𝐥 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐧𝐨. 𝐇𝐞 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝. 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬.'
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I loved how Seven Tales, and the stories within, were woven into Rebecca's quest to find her father, though I definitely have to disagree with Rebecca's initial judgement that fairytales are just for children. I myself love folklore and fairytales!
Each story reveals something about Leo, and about different points in his life, giving Rebecca some indication of the truth, and of how to find her father. But can she unravel fact from fiction, realism from magic, and can she find all the clues to solve this puzzle?
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𝐑𝐞𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐜𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐩, 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞, 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝, 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝, 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬. 𝐈𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐰.
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Rebecca isn't alone in her efforts to find Leo, and she soon strikes up a friendship with Ellis, who is intrigued by the story and also has a desire to find Leo. But they both have their own agenda, and both have secrets which eventually come spilling out.
I liked the romantic element that evolved between Rebecca and Ellis, and how the adventure of finding her dad - despite the complex myriad of emotions that came with it - led to her figuring out what she wants from life, and most importantly, what she doesn't want.
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𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐭, 𝐭𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞'𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐭, 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠.
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(Continued in comments)
September 25, 2023
It took me roughly 100 pages to actually get into this book, it was definitely slow to start and even then it didn't solidify as a favourite for me, but that's not to say there aren't things to like about this story.
Overall the plot is fairly interesting, it took me a while to actually enjoy it but I will admit the fault may be on me for that one; for some reason I got it into my head that this book had a magical, perhaps even fantasy element to it, and let's just say that is really not the case. This book is basically a family drama and in that respect it is a decent one with a well considered plot, a good pace and a nice writing style. I liked the includion of the fairy tales written by the missing Leo Sampson himself, in fact they were one of the highlights of the story for me, there was always something slightly gruesome to each of the tales but for such short stories they were all pretty great. Other elements of the story were more predictable; the romance, for example, was easy to predict from the start and wasn't really necessary to the story, at times I felt it even took up space that could have been better used by the mystery disappearance of Leo Sampson instead. The hunt for our 'Lost Storyteller' had highs and lows, parts of the story really appealed to me (I enjoyed the trip to Huxley, it added a completely different atmosphere to the book and brought forward some really interesting questions about Leo) but other parts seemed a little repetitive (there was a lot of Rebecca trying but failing to remember her father, a lot of Rebecca going over notes and reports without us actually getting to dive into them ourselves - which could have added another interesting element to the story). It was still a well-rounded story overall, with an ending that was not entirely unpredictable but was satisfying regardless.
I struggled a little with understanding Rebecca. It wasn't so much the seach for her father that I didn't relate to, in fact there were elements of her relationship with her father that I strongly related to, but more how quickly she takes the side of a man who had no part in her life for almost two decades. There are elements to her relationship with her father I felt were under explored and therefore didn't feel very genuine, she is so quick to be dismissive and angry of the family that have loved and supported her for years, while she is similarly so quick to believe nothing is Leo's fault in their current situation - all of which would have been easier to believe if we'd been given more insight into her relationship with Leo before he disappeared, but this part was lacking. This worked in favour of the mystery, with Rebecca being so young and not remembering many clues as to where her father may have ended up, but it didn't build up the most believable relationship between the two of them to start with. We start the book with Rebecca admitting she barely remembered her father and hadn't even thought about him for years and yet very quickly reach a point where she is lying to her entire family, and declaring them all traitors and liars, all on his behalf. I wish there had just been a better balance between Rebecca's brief past with her father and his present absence, it would have simply added further motivation for her trying to find him.
It was a decent read with a fairly good mystery, but truthfully I think I could've just as happily read Seven Tales on it's own and enjoyed it just as much, if not more, than the main story.
Overall the plot is fairly interesting, it took me a while to actually enjoy it but I will admit the fault may be on me for that one; for some reason I got it into my head that this book had a magical, perhaps even fantasy element to it, and let's just say that is really not the case. This book is basically a family drama and in that respect it is a decent one with a well considered plot, a good pace and a nice writing style. I liked the includion of the fairy tales written by the missing Leo Sampson himself, in fact they were one of the highlights of the story for me, there was always something slightly gruesome to each of the tales but for such short stories they were all pretty great. Other elements of the story were more predictable; the romance, for example, was easy to predict from the start and wasn't really necessary to the story, at times I felt it even took up space that could have been better used by the mystery disappearance of Leo Sampson instead. The hunt for our 'Lost Storyteller' had highs and lows, parts of the story really appealed to me (I enjoyed the trip to Huxley, it added a completely different atmosphere to the book and brought forward some really interesting questions about Leo) but other parts seemed a little repetitive (there was a lot of Rebecca trying but failing to remember her father, a lot of Rebecca going over notes and reports without us actually getting to dive into them ourselves - which could have added another interesting element to the story). It was still a well-rounded story overall, with an ending that was not entirely unpredictable but was satisfying regardless.
I struggled a little with understanding Rebecca. It wasn't so much the seach for her father that I didn't relate to, in fact there were elements of her relationship with her father that I strongly related to, but more how quickly she takes the side of a man who had no part in her life for almost two decades. There are elements to her relationship with her father I felt were under explored and therefore didn't feel very genuine, she is so quick to be dismissive and angry of the family that have loved and supported her for years, while she is similarly so quick to believe nothing is Leo's fault in their current situation - all of which would have been easier to believe if we'd been given more insight into her relationship with Leo before he disappeared, but this part was lacking. This worked in favour of the mystery, with Rebecca being so young and not remembering many clues as to where her father may have ended up, but it didn't build up the most believable relationship between the two of them to start with. We start the book with Rebecca admitting she barely remembered her father and hadn't even thought about him for years and yet very quickly reach a point where she is lying to her entire family, and declaring them all traitors and liars, all on his behalf. I wish there had just been a better balance between Rebecca's brief past with her father and his present absence, it would have simply added further motivation for her trying to find him.
It was a decent read with a fairly good mystery, but truthfully I think I could've just as happily read Seven Tales on it's own and enjoyed it just as much, if not more, than the main story.
May 13, 2022
The Lost Storyteller is a beautiful Literary Fiction that explores complex family relationships and mental health. Through seven original fairy-tales written by her long absent father, main character Rebecca is reintroduced to a man she barely knows while trying to solve the mystery of his disappearance. Where I struggled to connect with Rebecca and felt the story could be a little more streamlined, I was still enraptured by the clever and beautiful way this story unfolds. This book is perfect for readers looking for a character/relationship focused story with a little bit of whimsy thrown in.
Not wanting to risk the hurt that can come with pursuing ambitions again, Rebecca finds herself alone and stuck in a dead end job. The monotony of everyday life threatens to drag into eternity until a journalist named Ellis shows up at Rebecca’s office looking for her father. Once the famous lead actor on a show called The Stowaway, Leo Sampson had suddenly disappeared from the public eye soon after disappearing from Rebecca’s life when she was very young. Though she had not thought much about the father she could barely remember, Ellis’s appearance dredged up questions and feelings that have long been buried. Rebecca’s curiosity is stirred even further when her grandmother gives her a book of seven fairy tales written for her by her father. As Ellis and Rebecca begin their search for the missing Leo, these stories might be the key to reconnecting.
I found the fairy tales a beautiful and clever way to tell Leo’s story. Whimsical with a slightly dark twist, these stories felt like true classic stories. Though it takes Rebecca a while to catch on, each story is deeply symbolic and reveals Leo’s personal journey in a unique and intimate way. This is layered on top of the complex feelings and opinions Rebecca’s family seems to have about Leo that they refuse to share. Though Rebecca finds herself ready to delve back into the past, the same cannot be said for her other family members. This book not only does a wonderful job characterizing complex family relationships, but is great at showing how easily the social balance can shift under pressure.
Though I liked seeing the family dynamics and seeing how Rebecca’s journey affected those around her, most of the ‘in between’ sections were longer than they needed to be. A good example of this is Rebecca’s grandmother’s birthday dinner at the beginning of the book. There are some key moments during the dinner that ultimately leads Rebecca receiving the book of fairy tales. However, this section of the story also includes the walk from Rebecca’s house to her grandmother’s among other extraneous details that don’t really add to the development of the story or characters. It is fine to have this fluff on occasion, but there are definitely moments and developments that drag on more than they should because of it.
Special thanks to NetGalley for providing this ARC!
Not wanting to risk the hurt that can come with pursuing ambitions again, Rebecca finds herself alone and stuck in a dead end job. The monotony of everyday life threatens to drag into eternity until a journalist named Ellis shows up at Rebecca’s office looking for her father. Once the famous lead actor on a show called The Stowaway, Leo Sampson had suddenly disappeared from the public eye soon after disappearing from Rebecca’s life when she was very young. Though she had not thought much about the father she could barely remember, Ellis’s appearance dredged up questions and feelings that have long been buried. Rebecca’s curiosity is stirred even further when her grandmother gives her a book of seven fairy tales written for her by her father. As Ellis and Rebecca begin their search for the missing Leo, these stories might be the key to reconnecting.
I found the fairy tales a beautiful and clever way to tell Leo’s story. Whimsical with a slightly dark twist, these stories felt like true classic stories. Though it takes Rebecca a while to catch on, each story is deeply symbolic and reveals Leo’s personal journey in a unique and intimate way. This is layered on top of the complex feelings and opinions Rebecca’s family seems to have about Leo that they refuse to share. Though Rebecca finds herself ready to delve back into the past, the same cannot be said for her other family members. This book not only does a wonderful job characterizing complex family relationships, but is great at showing how easily the social balance can shift under pressure.
Though I liked seeing the family dynamics and seeing how Rebecca’s journey affected those around her, most of the ‘in between’ sections were longer than they needed to be. A good example of this is Rebecca’s grandmother’s birthday dinner at the beginning of the book. There are some key moments during the dinner that ultimately leads Rebecca receiving the book of fairy tales. However, this section of the story also includes the walk from Rebecca’s house to her grandmother’s among other extraneous details that don’t really add to the development of the story or characters. It is fine to have this fluff on occasion, but there are definitely moments and developments that drag on more than they should because of it.
Special thanks to NetGalley for providing this ARC!
July 14, 2021
Offers a straightforward, workman-like plot and serviceable prose tackling the story of repressed 20-something receptionist Rebecca and her increasingly desperate quest to discover what happened to her father (a glitteringly charismatic, whimsical and unforgettable figure who filled her childhood with magic and then disappeared when she was about seven). Rebecca doesn't have much of a presence on the page: her dialogue shows her to be quick and sparky, but the interior 3rd person viewpoint doesn't really bear this out. Her love interest, too, displays hints of inner life throughout, but is never expanded on beyond just being... there. The same can be said for most of the other characters. They don't leave much of an impression, except perhaps Cam.
The book is saved from blandness by a few aspects which were so well done that they almost leap out of the book. First, the understated brilliance of the relationship of Rebecca and her mother, who alternates between stealth clinginess, the kind that disguises it's suffocating quality behind not-really-jokes, guilt-trips and 'I'm Not Angry Just Disappointed' silent treatment, and that particular 'You're not wearing that, are you? Darling, have you put on weight? You *do* look tired...' withholding of approval which daughters with difficult mothers know aaaall too well. The fairy tales are almost shockingly good, and anyone who has tried to write their own folktales will know how incredibly hard it is to make them seem authentic without being twee, cliched, crushingly obvious, etc. If I had come across these stories in The Turnip Princess collection they would only have stood out because they are so haunting. And the flawed and complex character of Leo - perhaps unsurprisingly, since this is really his story more than anyone else's, even if Rebecca is 'the protagonist' - brings a surprising amount of depth and pathos whenever he's lingered on by others throughout the story (especially the accounts of his childhood) despite the fact that he isn't really present until near the end. The depiction of bipolar disorder was outstandingly convincing, and I found an actual tear welling up during Rebecca and Leo's make-shift picnic - but I'm a sucker for father-daughter relationships.
Overall, I liked this. I just felt as if the joins were showing in a lot of places, and that the parts which were truly good had an unfortunate tendency to show up the bits which were just sort of OK. But I see the writer's a debut, and so I suspect their next works will probably be better. I'll keep my eye out for them, especially if future stories play to the author's strengths and continue to work with fairytale elements.
The book is saved from blandness by a few aspects which were so well done that they almost leap out of the book. First, the understated brilliance of the relationship of Rebecca and her mother, who alternates between stealth clinginess, the kind that disguises it's suffocating quality behind not-really-jokes, guilt-trips and 'I'm Not Angry Just Disappointed' silent treatment, and that particular 'You're not wearing that, are you? Darling, have you put on weight? You *do* look tired...' withholding of approval which daughters with difficult mothers know aaaall too well. The fairy tales are almost shockingly good, and anyone who has tried to write their own folktales will know how incredibly hard it is to make them seem authentic without being twee, cliched, crushingly obvious, etc. If I had come across these stories in The Turnip Princess collection they would only have stood out because they are so haunting. And the flawed and complex character of Leo - perhaps unsurprisingly, since this is really his story more than anyone else's, even if Rebecca is 'the protagonist' - brings a surprising amount of depth and pathos whenever he's lingered on by others throughout the story (especially the accounts of his childhood) despite the fact that he isn't really present until near the end. The depiction of bipolar disorder was outstandingly convincing, and I found an actual tear welling up during Rebecca and Leo's make-shift picnic - but I'm a sucker for father-daughter relationships.
Overall, I liked this. I just felt as if the joins were showing in a lot of places, and that the parts which were truly good had an unfortunate tendency to show up the bits which were just sort of OK. But I see the writer's a debut, and so I suspect their next works will probably be better. I'll keep my eye out for them, especially if future stories play to the author's strengths and continue to work with fairytale elements.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2025
This story is all about Rebecca, a girl who hasn't seen her children's TV actor father in years, until a journalist turns up wanting to write an article on "what happened to the stowaway". Rebecca is reluctant at first but starts to have questions herself, until she is given a book of fairytales written by her disappeared father. Rebecca starts to work out that the book is autobiographical and hopes the whereabouts of her father is in the book (which it is). Rebecca eventually finds her father and the reason as to why he disappeared all them years ago
This book delves into mental health related issues which can be triggering for some. We eventually find out that her father had severe bipolar disorder and was the reason for his absence and the lost relationship of his daughter. There are also small elements of romance from the main protagonist and the journalist.
To be honest, I found this book really boring to read and sometimes was willing to give up and put it as a DNF, however I perceived. I found the story very slow, and it wasn't until the last couple of pages you eventually found out what actually happened, which by then I had tuned out. This might be an excellent read for some but for me it was lacking and probably wouldn't read again.
This book delves into mental health related issues which can be triggering for some. We eventually find out that her father had severe bipolar disorder and was the reason for his absence and the lost relationship of his daughter. There are also small elements of romance from the main protagonist and the journalist.
To be honest, I found this book really boring to read and sometimes was willing to give up and put it as a DNF, however I perceived. I found the story very slow, and it wasn't until the last couple of pages you eventually found out what actually happened, which by then I had tuned out. This might be an excellent read for some but for me it was lacking and probably wouldn't read again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2022
I started this book in cornwall in the spring, had a baby in the middle and finish it now as we bring in 2023. It’s been a slow burner but for no other reason than life got in the way.
I really enjoyed this. I found myself realising plot details along with the main character Rebecca. I found myself sharing some of her emotions. Willing her to keep going and to not give up.
There was something missing for me, though I’m not sure what. Would I have liked to have seen the reaction to Leo’s finding in the wider world? What would a reunion between Rosalyn and Leo have looked liked? Would it have happened at all? What did Lillian think to Rebecca finding her father?; after all, she gave her the book of tales.
But also I guess that’s the beauty of reading isn’t it? You can have these questions and it doesn’t always matter if they’re answered and sometimes it’s better that they’re not.
I really enjoyed this. I found myself realising plot details along with the main character Rebecca. I found myself sharing some of her emotions. Willing her to keep going and to not give up.
There was something missing for me, though I’m not sure what. Would I have liked to have seen the reaction to Leo’s finding in the wider world? What would a reunion between Rosalyn and Leo have looked liked? Would it have happened at all? What did Lillian think to Rebecca finding her father?; after all, she gave her the book of tales.
But also I guess that’s the beauty of reading isn’t it? You can have these questions and it doesn’t always matter if they’re answered and sometimes it’s better that they’re not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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