Reviews

The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy

emicree's review against another edition

5.0

Hygge story ❤️

mistakensmiles's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book, while short, is beautiful. A majority of the themes in this book are things I have been working on believing for myself. This feels like something I could pick up, open to any page, and get a little reminder that there is no right way to exist. 

The method to getting this to the reader is charming and comforting. The illustrations are gorgeous and every page tells a story that is relatable for so many. 

I've been told my rating scale is quite harsh, but I can't think of anything other than 5 stars for this read. 

devonmaureen's review against another edition

inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Not for me. Too cutesy. Too sentimental. Lovely illustrations. Wish it was less piecemeal.

lastbraincell's review against another edition

3.0

It's lovely as individual snapshots (very shareable on Insta, and that's commentary in itself), but if you were looking for a story, there is none. The art is charming. The characters are sockpuppets for bland ruminations. But I'm not mad because at least it makes no pretense to be poetry (looking at you Rupi Kaur), or tout itself as this generation's Little Prince / Tao of Pooh, though it is plain to see it was definitely heavily inspired by that.

Liked but not Saved.

hevthemystic's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

juste's review against another edition

5.0

Phenomenal

leahthebooklover's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

This is a profound philosophy book masquerading as a children's book. It's a deceptively simple story about a boy trying to find his way home. He encounters a mole and they become friends, even though the mole is a little fixated on cake. Then they meet a fox, who is at first angry and frightening, but only because he is hurt and frightened. Eventually he becomes a quiet and thoughtful new friend. The last character to enter the story is the horse, who is big, and gentle, and has a wonderful secret. Each of these four friends has wisdom to share with each other, about kindness, love, courage, freedom, worthiness, friendship, perseverance, and more. The illustrations are mainly black and white (looks like ink) drawings, slightly messy in style. Occasionally a page has a more detailed drawing, colored with a muted watercolor wash. The text is also a slightly messy pen and ink cursive, so this is not a book that can easily be read by a young reader, but rather one that a parent or trusted adult will read to them, and it can hopefully open a door to some beautiful, heartfelt conversations between the reader and the read to. I highly recommend this "new classic". It would make a great gift.

camicat42's review against another edition

5.0

"Don't measure how valuable you are by the way you are treated."

Nice little book to end the year with.

goblin_w_ksiazkach's review against another edition

lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

northcoraline's review against another edition

5.0

This felt like a warm hug and a loving pat on my heart.