The Children's Book

Hmmm, I seem to be going through a phase of writing about books about books at the moment (don't worry if you didn't understand that sentence - you just aren't quite bright enough to keep up obviously. But that's ok. I'll still talk to you). A.S.Byatt is one of those authors people keep telling me I must read, so after some years of this, I wandered to a Waterstones in search of 'Possession'. They didn't have it (oddly), so I picked 'The Children's Book' and read that instead (having paid for it, obviously - what do you take me for?).

And the verdict? I liked it. I think. Probably anyway. Let me explain. It is certainly an engaging story (or several engaging stories), filled with likeable and less likeable characters whose stories are interesting and compelling. I enjoyed all of the children's stories and found their characters fascinating (Tom was possibly the least interesting, though I don't think his story could have ended any other way).

I found Olivia a little distasteful, though I suppose one was meant to. Otherwise I was a fan of the characters. I found there were some sections which were rather dull - the ones where she rambled on about the England of the time. I felt that I didn't care all that much about England as whole, just about England as it affected her characters. I also thought she was a little rough on liberal middle class families and the effect they have on their children.

Those problems apart, it was good. The ending was truly touching and, though I probably should have seen it coming, I didn't (but then I'm dense like that). All in all, it more or less backed up the general opinion of her work!