
The Magic Toyshop - VMC Designer Collection (Hardback)
Angela Carter (author), Carmen Callil (author of introduction)- 10+ in stock
Cover design by Jacqueline Groag
'This crazy world whirled about her, men and women dwarfed by toys and puppets, where even the birds were mechanical and the few human figures went masked . . . She was in the night again, and the doll was herself'
One night Melanie walks through the garden in her mother's wedding dress. The next morning her world is shattered. Forced to leave her rural home, she is sent to London to live with relatives she has never met: gentle Aunt Margaret, mute since her wedding day; and her brothers, Francie, whose graceful music belies his clumsy nature, and the volatile Finn. Brooding over all is Uncle Philip, who loves only the puppets he creates in his workshop, which are life-sized - and uncannily life-like.
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
ISBN: 9781844085231
Number of pages: 240
Weight: 362 g
Dimensions: 205 x 178 x 22 mm
MEDIA REVIEWS
Her writing is pyrotechnic - fuelled with ideas, packed with images and spangling the night sky with her starry language * Observer *
She can glide from ancient to modern, from darkness to luminosity, from depravity to comedy without any hint of strain and without losing the elusive power of the original tales * The Times *
The boldest of English women writers * Lorna Sage *
Beneath its contemporary surface, this novel shimmers with blurred echoes-from Lewis Carroll, from 'Giselle' and 'Coppelia,' Harlequin and Punch.... It leaves behind it a flavor, pungent and unsettling * New York Times *
Her writing is pyrotechnic - fuelled with ideas, packed with images and spangling the night with her starry language * Observer *
You may also be interested in...

“Magic But Marmite - Love it or hate it”
This gothic fairytale is set in a London toyshop.
Must say Its a very well written book, and quite a captivating read, although at times it's very disturbing too.
Macabre to say the least.
You will love or Hate...
More
“The Magic Toyshop”
This story takes the traditional orphan coming of age tragedy and gives it a good shake up with a Gothic and seriously creepy twist. It follows Melanie and her younger siblings, Jonathon and Victoria, as they are sent... More
“One of my very favourites”
I loved every page, every word and I never wanted it to end. I lingered over paragraphs for far too long each time swirling the images around my head and loving the beautiful words. It has the most perfect hints of... More
Please sign in to write a review
Sign In / Register
Sign In
Download the Waterstones App
Would you like to proceed to the App store to download the Waterstones App?
Click & Collect
Please note that owing to current COVID-19 restrictions, many of our shops are closed. Find out more by clicking here.