Already as
a child Jane Shore was hardly noticed which did not bother her too much since
it gave her the chance to disappear in the plots of her books. She did not just
contemplate the story, Jane had the ability to really get into the books she
read, just some kind of anchor in the real world was needed to bring her back.
One day, she demonstrated her ability to a friend which was never forgotten.
Many years later, this mysterious gift was needed again and set in motion a
mass movement of book travelling.
A wonderful
fairy tale which plays with literature’s world. The hints to all those classics
like “The Wizard of Oz” or “Pride and Prejudice” trigger memories in the
readers and create the wish to also disappear within a beloved novel. Elizabeth
George, rather known for her crime novels, succeeded in creating a story which
is neither classic fairy tale nor fantasy and can easily be enjoyed also by
readers who prefer a more realistic setup within a novel. The protagonists are
loveable and dear which makes it easy to follow them. What I liked best were
many superb phrases which oscillate between irony and carefree naivety and
match perfectly with the characters. A quick read which can be enjoyed just in
between two serious and arduous novels.
