Review Blog

Nov 04 2009

Feather and bone by Laslo Strangolov

Walker Books, 2009. ISBN 9781406316005.
(Age 12+) This very strange novel poses some very challenging issues, not the least of which is human flesh as meat for a starving community. Kamil's father has disappeared in the woods and his mother has become a shadow of her former self. Kamil now has to walk Solace the dog each morning and evening. People do not go into the woods after dark for an unknown fear pervades the community. The poacher's daughter Lori and Kamil become involved in the mysterious business of the former poultry farm around which rabbits fit to burst live. It's a dark tale with Mr Petri centre of the darkness.
It's not a tale for the light hearted and the black and white sketches add atmosphere to the tale. As Matt Whyman says in the forward 'The book in your hands is a curious discovery. It has been penned by an author with a life story as odd and compelling as the tale to follow' pv. As Alice said, 'Curiouser and curiouser'. Not for the faint hearted.
Sue Nosworthy