This was an excellently written morality tale. There is philosophy, depth, compassion, weakness, and humanity. Throughout the book the narrator continuously positions the reader as though they are a member of the community. Forcing the reader to question, to really think about all that is happening and what can be done or what is done to make things better. The book asks the reader to consider what a good neighbour is, who is a good member of the community, and how similar this book is to real life. How easily society has forgotten what it means to be a community, caring for everyone, what it means to be a neighbour and have compassion for others. It is a book about how easy it can be to be persuaded by a dazzling smile and pretty words. How easily selfishness and greed can tear apart a town. This book is very much about the power of words. The power of a story to change a point of view. Books are a means of experiencing life from someone else's perspective, therefore creating empathy. The library burning down is the start of collapse, because the town no longer has a refuge, a place to learn, a place where knowledge is free for everyone. Instead, the community looks to their Mayor, a man with beauty and a booming voice, but little else. Keeping books from people is never about keeping them safe, it is always about keeping them ignorant. It is to stop people from asking questions and dreaming of something better. The ogress is the opposite of the Mayor. She is shy, she is selfless, and all she wants is to be a part of something. She makes friends easily with the crows, wild sheep, and a blind dog. She does not boast about the food she leaves for her neighbours, for she needs no accolades or recognition. Because of this, it is too easy for people to turn on her with just one whispered lie. I loved that she uses food as connection, as well as her art. These two things are the most honest forms of love and communication that we have. Food is communal and necessary for life, to provide food for others is an act of compassion and care. Art is used to portray emotion, and this is the best way for the ogress to show the town her dedication to it and its people, even the Mayor. The orphans are also loveable, each with their own unique quirks. They are more open minded, because some of the books were saved from the fire and brought to the orphan house for safe keeping. These treasured books teach the children independent thought, provide them with knowledge, and show them the power that stories hold. The children only ever exhibit strange behaviours when the town seems to infringe on their safe zone, when someone whispers some of the insidious evil that has been permeating in the town into one of their ears. This book is also about people never really listening to children, to what they have to say, even if it is the truth. This book was just honestly such an amazing journey and wholly unique. You really must read it to appreciate the depth of the story and the intricacies of the message. I loved reading it in the evenings with my eldest. Thank you to HarperCollins Sprout for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review.
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