The Boy, The Mole, The Fox And The Horse by Charlie Mackesy

“So I say spread your wings and follow your dreams – this is one of mine,”

This is a book I received as a gift but only managed to read it now. It took me so long to savour this book that by the time I picked it up, it had become a little tarnished by the sun. That didn’t effect my enjoyment of the book, however, and definitely makes the book look somewhat weathered but most of all it is loved.

I had always heard of Charlie Mackesy’s work for sometime but I must admit it came off as something of a gimmick to me originally until I received the book as a gift and subsequently fell in love. The art style – mainly pen and ink but sometimes chalk – is beautiful and its as if the art is alive.

Apparently this book got adapted into a short film that received an accolade for Best Animated Short Film at The Oscars, which was delightful news too hear. I’m going to definitely watch it another time, but to know that a short film of the book exists is all the more endearing.

I definitely tried to avoid reading reviews of this book, because I wanted to reach the ultimate decision and subsequent review under my own judgement. And while this book is very saccharine, it is still heartwarming. When I picked this book up, it was exactly what I was after and I think sometimes people just want to be comforted by the knowledge that everything will be okay. I think the book’s message of never giving up and the courage of the human spirit will definitely resonate with a lot of people.

This book is also the perfect coffee table book or a book you can flick through at your leisure however you’re feeling at the time. I recommend that you pick this book up, if you haven’t already.

MY RATING: ***** / *****