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A review by richardrbecker
Lanny by Max Porter
adventurous
dark
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Lanny is a quick-read fable that is delightfully atmospheric and addictive. It's the story of a quirky little boy who doesn't fit in with his rural village outside London — as we are told by Dead Papa Toothwort, an ancient forest spirit who sits as a witness to all the happenings inside the town (and has since the beginning or time or darn near close to it).
The one place Lanny does fit in is with an aging, once-famous, and always eccentric artist. And that's a pity for "Mad Pete" when something happens with Lanny during the course of Porter's long-form poetic prose. The story feels like a spell, one cast to raise our awareness about the environment, parenthood, growing up, and a few other devilishly served-up treats regarding humans in general. Porter frequently points to our predilection to be foolish fools predestined for folly. Who can argue?
The one place Lanny does fit in is with an aging, once-famous, and always eccentric artist. And that's a pity for "Mad Pete" when something happens with Lanny during the course of Porter's long-form poetic prose. The story feels like a spell, one cast to raise our awareness about the environment, parenthood, growing up, and a few other devilishly served-up treats regarding humans in general. Porter frequently points to our predilection to be foolish fools predestined for folly. Who can argue?