A review by amywrites
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries, by Heather Fawcett
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Is it too early to decide that this is going to be my favourite book of 2023?
I can't remember that last time I was so excited to read a book. All it took was seeing one TikTok mention it and I was sold!
Written in the form of journal entries (Emily's and, at times, Wendell's), it's really not a format I read a whole lot of - but I ended up really enjoying it.
Emily is such a quirky character. She's an academic through and through, awkward in social settings but a master when it comes to her work. I can relate quite a bit to her (especially when it comes to other's emotions - how does one respond to tears?). She's hilarious in her interactions, though she doesn't mean to be.
And Wendell! Oh my good gracious! I adore him. He's just the perfect fit for a personality like Emily's and I absolutely love their relationship. (As soon as he exclaimed 'away with you, woollen rat!' to a sheep - which is one of his first lines - I was sold.)
The book has a wonderful cast of characters who come to life through their interactions with the odd professors. They fit so perfectly in their places and really capture that 'secluded village' vibe.
The descriptions in the book are so beautiful that I found myself reading them over again. There are also a handful of faerie stories throughout the book which really give light to Emily's research and the relationship between the faeries and their love of stories. I also pleasantly surprised to see footnotes throughout the novel.
I can't remember that last time I was so excited to read a book. All it took was seeing one TikTok mention it and I was sold!
Written in the form of journal entries (Emily's and, at times, Wendell's), it's really not a format I read a whole lot of - but I ended up really enjoying it.
Emily is such a quirky character. She's an academic through and through, awkward in social settings but a master when it comes to her work. I can relate quite a bit to her (especially when it comes to other's emotions - how does one respond to tears?). She's hilarious in her interactions, though she doesn't mean to be.
And Wendell! Oh my good gracious! I adore him. He's just the perfect fit for a personality like Emily's and I absolutely love their relationship. (As soon as he exclaimed 'away with you, woollen rat!' to a sheep - which is one of his first lines - I was sold.)
The book has a wonderful cast of characters who come to life through their interactions with the odd professors. They fit so perfectly in their places and really capture that 'secluded village' vibe.
The descriptions in the book are so beautiful that I found myself reading them over again. There are also a handful of faerie stories throughout the book which really give light to Emily's research and the relationship between the faeries and their love of stories. I also pleasantly surprised to see footnotes throughout the novel.