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Gingerbread by Robert Dinsdale
Mar. 22nd, 2014 11:41 pmThe Blurb On The Back:
”I think we’ll stay,” he says, letting his arm fall about the boy’s shoulder. “Just for a little while … until the stories are done.”
The boy watches as Grandfather’s face shifts. His eyes seem suddenly far away. “Papa,” he ventures, “I thought you hated the forest. I thought you said you’d never come back. We can go now, Papa. I don’t mind.” He thinks to say it again, as if to make sure Grandfather understands. “I don’t mind at all.”
“Oh,” grins Grandfather. “But neither do I. I think … the trees might not be so wicked after all.”
Combining history with fairy tale, civilisation with wilderness, Gingerbread is the spellbinding tale of a little boy’s search to find a place he can call home.
( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )
The Verdict:
Robert Dinsdale’s novel is a sweet and moving blend of fairy tale and history that has strong themes of family and the pull of the wild. Well written and deftly characterised, I thoroughly enjoyed the relationship between the boy and his grandfather, both the way it develops and the way it disintegrates and the friendship that develops between the boy and stubborn, bossy Elenya. The best scenes are those in which the grandfather recounts his stories where the mix of mythology and history really gives you an insight into the grandfather’s character and his decline. I was less convinced by the last quarter, mainly because the schlocky element to it undermined much of Dinsdale’s good work but there remains the underlying sense of sadness and regret that makes this such an absorbing read. All in all, I would definitely check out Dinsdale’s other work based on this novel.
GINGERBREAD was released in the United Kingdom on 13th February 2014. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the ARC of this book.
The boy watches as Grandfather’s face shifts. His eyes seem suddenly far away. “Papa,” he ventures, “I thought you hated the forest. I thought you said you’d never come back. We can go now, Papa. I don’t mind.” He thinks to say it again, as if to make sure Grandfather understands. “I don’t mind at all.”
“Oh,” grins Grandfather. “But neither do I. I think … the trees might not be so wicked after all.”
Combining history with fairy tale, civilisation with wilderness, Gingerbread is the spellbinding tale of a little boy’s search to find a place he can call home.
( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )
The Verdict:
Robert Dinsdale’s novel is a sweet and moving blend of fairy tale and history that has strong themes of family and the pull of the wild. Well written and deftly characterised, I thoroughly enjoyed the relationship between the boy and his grandfather, both the way it develops and the way it disintegrates and the friendship that develops between the boy and stubborn, bossy Elenya. The best scenes are those in which the grandfather recounts his stories where the mix of mythology and history really gives you an insight into the grandfather’s character and his decline. I was less convinced by the last quarter, mainly because the schlocky element to it undermined much of Dinsdale’s good work but there remains the underlying sense of sadness and regret that makes this such an absorbing read. All in all, I would definitely check out Dinsdale’s other work based on this novel.
GINGERBREAD was released in the United Kingdom on 13th February 2014. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the ARC of this book.
