Soonchild - Hardcover

Hoban, Russell

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1406329916 ISBN 13: 9781406329919

Publisher: Walker Books Ltd, 2012

Synopsis

Written with Hoban's characteristic wit, wisdom and strangeness, Soonchild is set in The North 'where the ice bear walks alone and he's never lost'. It tells the story of a shaman called Sixteen-Face John and his quest for the World Songs. His wife is pregnant, but their soonchild refuses to be born because it can't hear the music that inspires all soonchildren to come out: John must find the Songs. Illustrated by Alexis Deacon. Off-mint. Age 10 to adult

About this title

Review

Atmospheric, poetic, beautiful. * The Irish Times * wonderfully strange story * Irish Independent * I would love to read more from this unique and creative author! * Teen Titles * Ideal for children who like their stories more mythical. * The Daily Telegraph * The monochrome artwork is masterly and the words hold their own delights...certainly there is nothing quite like it. * The School Librarian * any adolescent who'll appreciate this thoughtful, juicy piece of mythmaking is on the way to being a very wise grown-up indeed * Telegraph * Some have said that Soonchild isn't really a book for young adults. Well, it is and it isn't. It's a book for everyone. I'd read it to young children - all folk tales are scary. I'd read it myself for pleasure. * The Bookbag * This unusual tale for both adults and children is imaginative, magical and readable * Booktrust * magical ... one for sophisticated readers of all ages * The Sunday Times * this wonderfully timeless and atmospheric story ... as attractive to look at and handle as it is to read * The Irish Times * Walker are also to be congratulated on producing such a beautiful, physical object, with a fine dust jacket, fully illustrated boards, and different coloured paper to represent different parts of the narrative, and all for under a tenner. Alexis Deacon's moody pencil illustrations add a haunting counterpoint to the magical realism of the story, and have their own moments of wit...Every adolescent should have a copy of this one. Trust me, nobody will be writing stories quite like this anymore. -- Tony Bradman * Guardian * Hoban's books never float around the front of the brain but delve deep where it matters...this book is mysterious but not obscure, alternately funny and profound * Carousel * This magical tale from a master storyteller is highly readable and full of imagination...The stunning illustrations by Alexis Deacon are as important to the telling of the story as the text, and this book will truly delight both children and adult alike. * We Love This Book *

Book Description

"Hoban is the best sort of genius." Patrick Ness, The Guardian

About this edition

• Publisher: Walker Books Ltd
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1406329916
• ISBN 13: 9781406329919
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 144
• Illustrator: Deacon Alexis