I truly adored this book in every aspect possible. The story was beautifully written and was so well representative of the characters. This was such a joy to read and I honestly could not put it down.
The Plot: This story is about a travelling side-show. It consists of: a talking parrot, a friendly dwarf, a legless angel, a one armed boy and an Electrical Venus. This is a story about prejudice, about Georgian England entertainment, and about finding one's worth.
I have to admit I did not know what to expect going into this book. The blurbdidn't really give away too much so I hadn't know what to expect going into it. However, it was absolutely stunning. I felt as though I really was in Georgian England, what with the writing style and language used. The characters where so real and raw and I honestly was sad to say goodbye to them by the end of the book.
(The following may contain spoilers, read at your own risk.)
What I really liked about this book is how the author was not afraid of showing her characters at their core. Nothing is sugar-coated or withheld, they are all real and true, for example Mim. You would think being the protagnoist of the story that she should be painted in a lighter light (nopun-intended) but the author is very much honest about Mim and her thoughts, and I honestly appreciate that. She realised that her worth is not based on how others perceive her as, or how lady-like she is, but by how much she respects herself, and I admire the author so much for including this.
Abel and Joe were lovely additional characters to read about. I especially enjoyed the historical side of this book, learning the way in which people at the time would treat those physically abnormal to them. Alex is also a character I enjoyed to read about, and observe how he grew throughout the novel, and I also really liked the parallels between him and Mr fox.
Mr Fox is a type of character almost every girl has the pleasure (note the sarcasm) to meet at one point in her life, and I think it is so important that he was portrayed here. He did not love Mim for her mind or intelligence, he saw her as an object to display and get attention out of, and I believe it is so important that a character like this has been included as an example (and warning) for all ladies. This book is a perfect example to all young girls that no-one is in charge of your body, except for you, regardless of your race and class.
The final thing that I wanted to talk about before I wrap this review up is the prominent presence of science and knowledge. I honestly think that it is wonderful that the author has included this to encourage young girls to pursue science, whether as a hobby or career. The love that Mim had grown for this knowledge is admirable, and I can't think of a better way to get more girls involved than to create the very enchanting and mesmerising Electrical Venus.
All in all this was a magikal (pun-intended) book and I very much look forward to reading more of Julie Mayhew's work.
The Plot: This story is about a travelling side-show. It consists of: a talking parrot, a friendly dwarf, a legless angel, a one armed boy and an Electrical Venus. This is a story about prejudice, about Georgian England entertainment, and about finding one's worth.
I have to admit I did not know what to expect going into this book. The blurbdidn't really give away too much so I hadn't know what to expect going into it. However, it was absolutely stunning. I felt as though I really was in Georgian England, what with the writing style and language used. The characters where so real and raw and I honestly was sad to say goodbye to them by the end of the book.
(The following may contain spoilers, read at your own risk.)
What I really liked about this book is how the author was not afraid of showing her characters at their core. Nothing is sugar-coated or withheld, they are all real and true, for example Mim. You would think being the protagnoist of the story that she should be painted in a lighter light (nopun-intended) but the author is very much honest about Mim and her thoughts, and I honestly appreciate that. She realised that her worth is not based on how others perceive her as, or how lady-like she is, but by how much she respects herself, and I admire the author so much for including this.
Abel and Joe were lovely additional characters to read about. I especially enjoyed the historical side of this book, learning the way in which people at the time would treat those physically abnormal to them. Alex is also a character I enjoyed to read about, and observe how he grew throughout the novel, and I also really liked the parallels between him and Mr fox.
Mr Fox is a type of character almost every girl has the pleasure (note the sarcasm) to meet at one point in her life, and I think it is so important that he was portrayed here. He did not love Mim for her mind or intelligence, he saw her as an object to display and get attention out of, and I believe it is so important that a character like this has been included as an example (and warning) for all ladies. This book is a perfect example to all young girls that no-one is in charge of your body, except for you, regardless of your race and class.
The final thing that I wanted to talk about before I wrap this review up is the prominent presence of science and knowledge. I honestly think that it is wonderful that the author has included this to encourage young girls to pursue science, whether as a hobby or career. The love that Mim had grown for this knowledge is admirable, and I can't think of a better way to get more girls involved than to create the very enchanting and mesmerising Electrical Venus.
All in all this was a magikal (pun-intended) book and I very much look forward to reading more of Julie Mayhew's work.