*The Toymakers by Robert Dinsdale (480 pages) ★★★ (3.5)In The Toymakers we follow Cathy, a runaway who has applied to work at the wonderful Papa Jack's Emporium in London. However all is not what it seems in the Emporium or for Cathy as she has her own not so little secret. What follows is an incredibly magical, endearing and christmas themed read that is tinged with sadness, loss and the devastating unseen affects of war.
I utterly adored the descriptions of the Emporium as well as the wonderful toys held within. It would be a perfect read for christmas time as it had quite a few moments of childhood wonderment you feel during that time of the year. Christmas feels like it is just around the corner (even though it is a few months away) and the descriptions of toys, childhood excitement for presents, whimsical decorations, the magic of Christmas and the thrill of playing with new toys during the Christmas period were rich and constant throughout this book which made it a very heartwarming, nostalgic and cosy read at times.
However, it is simultaneously a very heart warming, magical read as well as a very wistful and heartbreaking book with moments of sadness and melancholy. I never read emotional books and this one did get to me at times, especially after the half way mark of the book. I definitely prefer the more light hearted, magical elements of the book rather than the heartbreaking realities of life, uncomfortable emotions of jealousy, guilt and self doubt as well as the mental health aspects of the book but they are very important to read about and for the story. I'd definitely recommend it for it's utterly magical, Christmas themed setting and wonderful writing so if that sounds like something you'd enjoy then check out this read!
Will you be picking up this christmassy read? What are you currently reading?
This actually sounds like the sort of book I'd love to read next x
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a lovely read!
ReplyDeleteLove, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
Thank you very much for this lovely review! I feel like I'd absolutely read this - it sounds right up my taste. I love books that evoke emotion - it really shows how deep the author's managed to go with the meaning of each and every word. I'll be looking to this. xx
ReplyDeleteMarina Rosie x
http://marinawriteslife.blogspot.fr/
Oooooh I love a good hardback book! Xx
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like such a wonderful book!
ReplyDeleteJoyce | www.joycelauofficial.com
I love that the descriptions sound so real and lifelike of the toy store x
ReplyDeleteAw this sounds gorgeous, I will have to read this to Reuben when he's older! x
ReplyDeleteGemma Louise
Christmas themed book? YES PLEASE! I love magical settings like this, I think I would love it! :)
ReplyDeleteErin || MakeErinOver
I might be a little too hormonal for this but I love the sound of all the elements of Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI love Christmas themed books during the holidays!!
ReplyDeleteI think I would pick this book up for around Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI was sent a copy of this a few months ago but haven't got around to reading it yet but this review may have prompted me to pick it up quicker. I love sad and emotional books.
ReplyDeleteJenny
http://www.jennyinneverland.com
This sounds like such a lovely book.
ReplyDeletehttp://littlemissmelanie.com
This sounds like the perfect Christmas read. X
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to the new Khaled Hosseini book!
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds lovely! Especially feeling Christmas-y too!xo
ReplyDeleteChar | www.charslittleblog.co.uk
ooh I really want to read this now
ReplyDelete