There were three reasons I picked this book up at the library.
1.The beautiful front cover. I mean, look at it.
2.It's written by a French pop star, Mathias Malzieu. I've never heard of him but still, it's quirky.
3.It has an endorsement on the back which states 'Mathias Malzieu is a Genius' by none other by Eric Cantona.
Well after all that I couldn't not read it now could I?
The Boy With The Cuckoo-Clock Heart is quite a sweet story at its heart (no pun intended)
Little Jack is born in Edinburgh with a frozen heart and is immediately saved by a doctor who implants a cuckoo-clock into his chest. This clock which needs to be wound daily, keeps Little Jack's heart beating and therefore keeps him alive if only he can keep to these rules;
FIRSTLY: don’t touch the hands of your cuckoo-clock heart.
SECONDLY: master your anger.
THIRDLY: never, ever fall in love. For if you do, the hour hand will poke through your skin, your bones will shatter, and your heart will break once more.
Well, you can guess what happens can't you?
The story is engaging and quite enjoyable with an overall message which I think most people could relate too. This is not for kids though due to the sexual references in places , for example I'm sure a child would ask for more clarification on Little Jack's hamster's name should they read it which would only lead to one very awkward conversation.
My favourite bit? When Little Jack sees a clock tower and asks "Is that my father?” Moments like that make the book more endearing.
Would I recommend it? If you happen to see it in your local library then it's worth getting for the novelty and pure delight but I wouldn't rush out and buy it.
Verdict 3/5
Posted by Jess
I LOVE that cover!! I automatically have more respect for this book than for Madonna's storybooks. ;) (Pop star connection, you see.)
ReplyDeleteAww... that sounds cute!
ReplyDeleteI just read and reviewed this one too...picked it up based on the cover!
ReplyDeletethis sounds adorable and dreadfully sad at the same time - I must read it!
ReplyDeleteKathy - ah I forgot Madonna did some childrens books, I know Dolly Parton has done one which I think looks really good (its for toddlers)
ReplyDeleteLa Coccinelle - its a really sweet story, I do think Jack on the front cover there looks a bit like Edward Cullen though.
Booksploring - I have read your review and left a comment. I think its funny we didnt want to take it back to the library.
Brizmus - you have summed it up quite well there!
I have loved this cover from afar for a while now and think it sounds like a rather lovely story. One that I will get if I ever see at the library but am not wanting to rush out and buy (if I was allowed to buy books of course).
ReplyDeleteThis sounds adorable. And my library has it, yay! Adding it to my TBR pile.
ReplyDeleteSimon - ah yes your self imposed book buying ban, its worth getting out the library even though I did want to keep it. You can read it in under a day easy.
ReplyDeleteAmanda - I hope you enjoy it, as I said above you can easily read it within a day as its about 100 pages and the pages are smaller than your average book which just adds to the cuteness.
Love the cover, but sorry it was not better.
ReplyDelete