* We would like to point out that the Murdstone Trilogy is Mal Peet's first book for adults. Our reviewer CaraErica is not an adult so please bear that in mind when reading this review!
Something to put a smile on your face!
Set on strange, this book is sure to please even the most stony faced of readers. Disregarding a drunken protagonist, the classic fight of good versus evil and a pinch of juvenile humour per page, this book is jam packed with wit, bathos and twisted turns.
Brilliant!
Philip Murdstone is unextraordinary – middle aged, single and thinning on top. His only achievement to date: a one hit wonder of a novel, which has long since faded from the minds of its readers. He has but one hope of salvation, to write *shudder* a fantasy novel…
In his quest for a story Phillip is brought into a world of magik realms, necromancers and gremes. As the impossible becomes probable, Philip's life turns from anti-fantasy into something more than fantastical. With his deadline fast approaching, will he ever finish the Murdstone Trilogy and moreover, what will be the cost?
Peet is an incredible writer and this book managed to make me laugh even in places I probably shouldn't. However, my high hopes were tarnished when the ending was unveiled to be no better than the: 'and it was all a dream...' cliché. A true disappointment!
Nevertheless, in his novel Peet manages to use what I consider to be one of the most amazing story telling techniques of our time. In a world where nothing is original, he managed to create something completely new. Outlined on the basis of a typical fantasy epic, Peet put his own twist on each aspect of the story we thought we knew. From his anti-hero protagonist to his reiterated vast disdain of the genre, this novel morphs a classic tale into an unrecognisable format. A true achievement in helping to develop this revolutionary style of writing.
Overall, the Murdstone trilogy makes an interesting read, but I wouldn't rush it to the top of your reading list.
• Find this book on the Guardian Bookshop.
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