"A darkly stunning, vivid and evocative debut, so beautiful and unique, we’ve included it in our LoveReading Star Books."
Our November 2020 Book Club Recommendation
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A powerful, provocative, and darkly stunning debut. This is a book that tore my heart into pieces while simultaneously showing me the wonder of love and imagination. Romilly’s childhood is one of fame and isolation when her father includes her as the main character in his books for children. While the world believes that the books lead you on a treasure hunt, a more private and heartbreaking journey awaits Romilly.
This isn’t an easy read, but it is a beautiful one. Polly Crosby somehow balances some incredibly difficult issues with a sense of wonder, she really does have the most eloquent pen. The prologue has huge impact, sweet, sharp, and bitter notes struck my awareness, and I reread the words before allowing them full access into my thoughts.
I initially felt as though I was stepping into a half remembered mysterious photograph. As bites of reality began to appear, they caused a mental and physical ache for all that was lost and uneasy. As the ending settled and I sat back and contemplated, I concluded that it was the most pure and perfect conclusion.
Romilly is so special, she has taken up residence inside my thoughts, and she is more than welcome to spend time there. The Illustrated Child is a vibrantly unique and thought-provoking read, it has been included as one of our LoveReading Star Books, and will sit as one of my favourite novels of the year.
A young girl.A hidden treasure.A dark family secret.'Evocative and enchanting - a future classic' Veronica Henry'An extraordinary debut… beautiful, dark, haunting' Edward Carey'A captivating coming-of-age story' Daily Mail'A bewitching read' Woman & Home
| Primary Genre | Modern and Contemporary Fiction |
| Other Genres: | |
| Recommendations: |
A young girl.A hidden treasure.A dark family secret.'Evocative and enchanting - a future classic' Veronica Henry'An extraordinary debut… beautiful, dark, haunting' Edward Carey'A captivating coming-of-age story' Daily Mail'A bewitching read' Woman & HomeRomilly Kemp has an idyllic childhood, roaming the wilderness that surrounds her father's ramshackle farmhouse. But when he makes her the star of his beautifully illustrated books, her carefree if somewhat lonely existence is threatened.The books are thought to hold clues to an elaborate treasure hunt, and strangers turn up at their door, anxious to get a glimpse of the 'Kemp Treasure Girl'.
The Illustrated Child features in the following genres: Modern and Contemporary Fiction, Book Club Recommendations, Debut Books of the Month, Debuts, Family Drama, Star Books, General Fiction, Fiction, Recommendations
Paperback, Hardback. £12.59, down from the £13.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Illustrated Child was written by Polly Crosby and published by HQ an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
The Illustrated Child has 423 pages
£12.59, reduced from £13.99. In Stock.
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