A fine piece of magic realism – a little long but very good
This novel takes us from 1906 to 1953 in the life of Papa Jack's Emporium in which toys are miraculously brought to life to the delight of shoppers in the winter months. It is also the story of Cathy Wray who finds herself arriving there in 1906 and her development alongside the Godman family who run the shop.
Generally enlightening and engaging, this book is full of wonders but also melancholy in many ways as things do not go always as expected or as planned. Strong on character development and on magic realism, it is enjoyable but perhaps a little overlong in the second half.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
4
