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A review by jstilts
Finn's Folly by Ivan Southall
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Considering the young age group this book was aimed at (it was published by Puffin) this is an absolutely devastating tale, masterfully told - and definitely not something to read a few chapters to the kids just before bed, or even in one go as it ends at an unexpected moment that had me incredulously shouting at the long-deceased author. I have SO many questions and I dread the answers - it's cruel to the reader but absolute genius!
I'll avoid spoilers and add some words of encouragement - this book was written a while ago and the vernacular used by the children (especially in the first few chapters) was a little strange to me, and the attitudes between brother and sister can seem a little misogynistic - but this isn't untypical between some bickering siblings, and it's worth pushing through this. The meat of the tale involves four children left in bed one night while their mother picks up their father from the train station. After time has passed and unusual noises are heard on the distant road, the children become afraid their parents are not coming back.
One aspect that only initially struck me as problematic is the way the children talk and think about their intellectually disabled brother, which I took at first as a "sign of the times" - but no, that's deliberate authoral intent to depict the children that way as later there are chapters from David's point of view, and it's a fascinating and sympathetic portrayal that shows how misunderstood he is in the book by adults and children alike.
I highly recommend this book - once read it's not easily forgotten.
I'll avoid spoilers and add some words of encouragement - this book was written a while ago and the vernacular used by the children (especially in the first few chapters) was a little strange to me, and the attitudes between brother and sister can seem a little misogynistic - but this isn't untypical between some bickering siblings, and it's worth pushing through this. The meat of the tale involves four children left in bed one night while their mother picks up their father from the train station. After time has passed and unusual noises are heard on the distant road, the children become afraid their parents are not coming back.
One aspect that only initially struck me as problematic is the way the children talk and think about their intellectually disabled brother, which I took at first as a "sign of the times" - but no, that's deliberate authoral intent to depict the children that way as later there are chapters from David's point of view, and it's a fascinating and sympathetic portrayal that shows how misunderstood he is in the book by adults and children alike.
I highly recommend this book - once read it's not easily forgotten.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Ableism, Confinement, Mental illness, Grief, and Gaslighting
Minor: Misogyny and Vomit