Last Days of the Transitional Objects Institute

Well, my garden didn't get properly weeded today. That's because I lost my heart to a large bear with a Bronx accent and a speech impediment!

I recently asked for suggestions of what to put on my shelf and Richard Maitland suggested this, calling it: "In my opinion, the best book I've read on here, and one long overdue for publication". Which just proves that Mr Maitland is a master of the art of understatement.

I am the pickiest of readers, being a copy editor by profession, but the 3 chapters I have read are flawless. It's more than beautifully written, it is incredibly well crafted, full of delicious description, warmth and underlying humour as well as the pathos. It's been a long time since a battered old teddy bear made me weep, but this one did.

Unique? The word doesn't even begin to come close. It's so genre-bending it needs a new genre creating specifically for it.

Highly starred and shelved for as long as it takes for someone to see what an incredible piece of writing this is.

Tottie Limejuice
Sell the Pig

I'm going away in a few weeks and I've been using that as an excuse to skate by on doing reads. This site does facilitate the creative process in that I keep inventing reasons not to read. Lately, I find that everything I approach makes me want to look almost anywhere else. But I started reading your book on a whim this afternoon and before I knew it I'd read the entire thing.

I really feel that its a remarkable piece of work - brilliantly concieved and executed, beautifully written. I had a notion you might use the story to draw parallels with society and I expected those conceits to be shoehorned in awkwardly. But its all done with such subtlety and consumate skill (I'm thinking here of the Santa God and Mr Finkle's memories of the dizinfektion camps) that it never feels incongruous. In chapter after chapter, you just quietly go about the business of breaking the reader's heart again and again.

With that in mind, I was pleased to find ultimately redemptive character arcs for Bobo and Bixie. But all the main characters feel fully realised (an odd thing to say when they are mostly toys) with even such potentially one-note characters as the Directrix and Hal given fleshed out backstorys that explain their demeanours.

Oddly again, for a book about toys, it feels like the most humane book I've read on this site. And its certainly the very best. I'm going to add it to my shelf where I can gaze at it adoringly, like one of those blue haired old ladies that Dooley managed to elude.

So there I was, minding my business, looking for a good read.

When suddenly.

I can’t think of anything more beautiful than this is. Readers who broke off in a weep after a few chapters should try going the distance; I dare you – it gets more intense. If chapter sixteen leaves you with no lump in your throat, you aren’t human. Maybe you don’t have to be, anymore.

When I was around five, The Velveteen Rabbit broke my heart – so I was immediately minded of it, and tickled to see it mentioned here. This is a more grownup Rabbit, but I felt the same huge guilt. I dreamed of these toys last night, and woke in a child's sweat.

My husband collects Teddy Bears. After I finished reading this, I went in and looked at them, deep into their shiny glass Steiff eyes. I felt their ears, and I wondered.

…maybe.

I have just decided I'm going to have to give up writing and become a publisher instead - specifically to be able to publish this book. It's a wonderful, wonderful read - every second sentence is a joy (this is me turning into a gushy authonomite again , but just occasionally you really have to). I have enjoyed all I've read - particularly the lifttle lifts to get the clients up to the desk and then Dudley's various suicide attempts. It is the unexpectedness of it that make it such a pleasure to read and the acute use of language - and such language (I too loved the 'gladdened waddle'.) Backed and on my shelf, Jaye

This is utterly, and genuinely, heart-breaking.

I started off, charmed by the original premise, and delighting in the poetry of lines like: "... an unnaturally large bear with a moderate speech impediment", "hapless cries escaping him", and "gladdened waddle", but then was completely undone by the bear's breakdown, and the horror of the wires ("dey hoit my neck and my paws") stringing the poor bear to the grille of the "gobbitch" truck. I don't know when I've ever read anything so tragic.

Could there be a sadder line than "Bear w.Cap. Defective"?

I couldn't read any more than two chapters without compromising my stiff upper lip, although I longed to know how it turned out, so I beg the author to tell me this has a happy ending, and let me off the emotional hook.

Backed, with -- I confess -- tears in my eyes.

Well, my garden didn't get properly weeded today. That's because I lost my heart to a large bear with a Bronx accent and a speech impediment!

I recently asked for suggestions of what to put on my shelf and Richard Maitland suggested this, calling it: "In my opinion, the best book I've read on here, and one long overdue for publication". Which just proves that Mr Maitland is a master of the art of understatement.

I am the pickiest of readers, being a copy editor by profession, but the 3 chapters I have read are flawless. It's more than beautifully written, it is incredibly well crafted, full of delicious description, warmth and underlying humour as well as the pathos. It's been a long time since a battered old teddy bear made me weep, but this one did.

Unique? The word doesn't even begin to come close. It's so genre-bending it needs a new genre creating specifically for it.

Highly starred and shelved for as long as it takes for someone to see what an incredible piece of writing this is.

Tottie Limejuice
Sell the Pig

Hi Andrea, your book came highly recommended to me on one of the forums, and I am so glad that I stopped in for a look. This is an amazingly well written book with a most original premise that it is hard to resist. The concept is so unique have you ever thought of redoing it as a screenplay? I noticed in your profile you were having difficulty finding a publisher for it as it is a genre-bender, but as a movie, this is something very original that Hollywood is in desperate need of right now.

I only found two little typos in the first chapter, ‘The bear had had his share of ..., is this a typo if not could it be reworded to avoid the duplicate had as it did take me out of the story for a moment. And there is a missed space in, ‘I thought we were supposed to show ‘eachother’ respect; each other needs a space.

I loved the reference to a Realized toy. This is a wonderful and remarkably professionally polished example of a great book. I do not expect a return to read; I was just popping in for a look. Well done.

Can I just say, I can't believe your book is only at 35, it should have gone to the top many times over! I'm 44 (bagpuss era) and last night I went to bed, passed the 5ft bear that sits, usually unnoticed in the corner of the room and patted him on the head! What an wonderful story, full of emotion, laughter and sadness. Forget the book, this needs to go straight to hollywood. I would love to see this as a film. Your story made me sit and think of the teddy bear picnics I had as a child, the conversations with my huge collection of bears (that will now come out of the loft, just in case) and bought back the nostalgia of childhood, something we, as adults, forget about in our daily struggles. It's not a book for children, it's a book for everyone and I shall continue to read on simply because I loved it, it's a great book and beyond my capabilities of reviewing.

How lovely. It seems to me I stopped by before but couldn't get into the story. It may have been my imagination, or a bad day, or maybe you've edited the beginning...whatever has happened, your story is a joy to read. Very few books (published or not) manage to achieve any sort of voice at all, while yours is brimming with one much like the voice that read me a million words as I held my squeaky bear shortly before bed-time.

All the best--
~AudreyB

Andrea,
Only had time for 2 chapters, but I will be back to read more. This is so moving, I was warned that I'd end up with watery eyes, and I did. The line that got me: 'I kin write a 'X'.' Heartbreaking. Max stars and WL'd for further reading . I do so hope this gets published. So original.
Jane x

What cracking story and the way you tell it compliments that fact. Bobo is cool and the other characters make this book so delightful. I was so hooked on this. I compliment you on such a nice book that is so well told and so engaging. I can see good things for this book and I am a fan who will be scoring it high.
Sean Connolly. British Army on the Rampage. (B.A.O.R) Please consider me for a read or watch list wont you? Happy New Year. Sean

Hi Andrea, I was on the lookout for some weekly 'top-rated' Lit Fic and was so taken by your brilliant title, cover image, and intriguing pitch that I had to add this to my watchlist right away . . . I've now put the kettle on (tea helps me concentrate) with the sole intention of commenting as I read. I think it's likely you may draw some comparisons with Pixar's Toy Story, but LDTOI certainly 'sounds' different enough to make them worthwhile.

I do like the setup/idea for having a Prologue all-but-in-name which directly addresses the reader. This is a neat Literary trick, and one I'm happily starting to come across. Very first sentence you have a sublime comparison between unthinking children and unseeing adults. Love this! I also love your mention of mental health services alongside 'medical' and 'social.'

My initial thought is one of wonderment and bewilderment at the same time. I'm already reminiscing about Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, whilst asking myself how the likes of Dr. Mendel and Ms. Levin came to realise that toys need as much help as they do hope. It's not a bizarre premise, but it does make me feel slightly miffed about them. I certainly have a beloved (orange with white paws) 'big' bear from childhood . . .

Sadly, though, he doesn't talk back.

Okay, Chapter One seems verrry long, and in your first paragraph I don't understand 'landmarks missionaries' or 'Status Quo Ho.' Your description of Bobo is beautiful, and I'd strongly consider starting things off with his appearance as the preceding paragraph really doesn't do much for me. I also love how you inform the reader what the hand-stenciled sign says, and then tell us Bobo's unable to read. A small stroke of genius there.

The thought of a bear who requires a walking stick and has to work his stuffing through the slack spots (in order to reshape himself), is also ingenius. Your wording of 'the odd stretching sensation it produced in his mind' is quite delightful. Then we have this idea of Bobo running about with his elbows flapping, before he hides himself inside the vending machine. Good imagery there.

I thought your description of Bobo's encounter with the dirty faced boy was exquisite - especially the following paragraph, 'Children are to be feared, as well as loved.' There's so much to like here, the way you structure an entire descriptive sentence, before Bobo's acute observation that his paws are covered in crud. Such a simple thing; using a bucket to climb upto the sink, yet your phrasing of this occurrence is wonderfully sublime.

I did laugh out loud when you said he ran the hot-air blower for 37 cycles. Hilarious!

Now this might be taking satire to new heights, but having an Indian desk clerk with a hard-to-pronounce name is sooo inspired, I almost want to applaud you for effort. And, of course, he has to say his name twice for re-iteration. The way Bobo talks and interacts with people is, for lack of any better words, heart warming. He's such an emphatic little character that I can't imagine any reader(s) not rooting for him from the very start.

Your entire conversation about Bobo signing in, whether or not he's literate etc, plays out in such a deadpan way as to make them both seem even more believable. I have to say that a self-conscious trouble-making rabbit with buck teeth is about all I can take in one sitting. Your ideas just seem to flow and flow and flow with such effortlessness, I can't help but wonder where on earth they come from. What a nasty rabbit he is!

Andrea, I'm aware that I've already written more than I was intending to, and I'm only halfway through the first Chapter. I will give this full stars, and shelve it, as it's a work of outstanding quality, and I can't believe you haven't had this published already . . . Please consider splitting that first Chapter though!

All the best,

Ben - An Ordinary Sunday

I read the first 2 chapters and must say I found myself feeling sorry for the teddy.: damaged goods. As well he hated his name BoBo which was written on his cap. Poor teddy his only friend dying. Like Richard Maitland I can not read on in fear of what this poor bear may endure. It truly is a great story, one that captures your heart!
Red

Last Days of the Transitional Objects Institute is brimming with originality. The long pitch promised something quirky and the novel certainly delivers. With wonderful narration and a talking bear that some how is credible, the plotline is a winner. The intro brings a smile, but it is the opening paragraph of the main story that jags the reader - '... the darkest side of the narrowest street' is beautiful, evocative writing. I was deeply interested in the underlying psychology of the story. I'm not sure on its positioning - not really a children's story for me, although the dark social lessons would do no harm if understood accurately. Andrea, you have something special and refreshing here and I will WL your novel so I can dip in again and enjoy more of the story. Highly rated. This has big potential to be published. Best regards, Andrew Esposito / Killing Paradise

Wow, our pitch is amazing. Definitely one for my watch list. Very original!

Cathy

I absolutely love this idea!! I have only had a chance to read a couple of chapters- i should be editing, actually i think I should be sleeping, but like a kid I'm having a hard time putting of the light and leaving your story.

I don't get the impression you are looking for critical feedback since you have already done the agent/publisher rounds with it. I'm sorry you've had such a frustrating experience with marketing it- I feel that it is the public that are suffering if a wonderful story like this flummoxes the industry.

I will just leave it with, you are a beautiful writer, wish you good luck and enjoy what is posted.

Oh my goodness, this is so lovely, so SWEET! The beginning is enchanting with Bobo appearing and looking up and down. So real, so believable so charming, so sad. I loved him immediately and wanted to take him home. What a brilliant idea! Six stars and on watchlist till next books shuffle, then on my shelf!
Andrea
The de Amerley Affair

This still hasn't reached the top ten!!!! It must do soon, surely? It is a lot cleverer and deeper than some reviewers realise, and even on a shallow level the characterisation and writing skill should recommend it. Backed in hope of seeing it on The Desk. Lara
A RELATIVE INVASION

I love the start of this. It's whimsical, poignant and well-written. Some great lines. Loved 'the fart of its brakes'. The second chapter seems more diffuse and I did find myself skipping over paragraphs a little. Very tricky to keep this edgy, so it doesn't degenerate into cute. I'll return to read on.

This is a very interesting concept for a book. Your first chapter (Prologue) was brilliant – the wording, the writing style 0 I loved every bit of it. It got me very excited about the book. But it appears that you’ve done more work maybe on it than you did on the rest. The second chapter seemed to jump around from person to person (object), subject to subject. It had the inanimate objects delving into real world antics – walking through diners, filling up buckets with water and taking a bath. How can these things go on and still the world is oblivious to them? This began to make your story far-fetched. I also think that the chapters are too long, you shouldn’t write in bold letters and I once read that you shouldn’t try to spell words as you want your characters to speak. I say “gonna” and “wanna” ion my book, so take that critique with a grain of salt.

Good start.

Abby

An unusual and interesting premise. The idea of bears in slavery is most intriguing. I've read the first 2 chapters. Very sad. Some good writing. Your setting and descriptions are quite vivid...."A gauzy plastic bag ascended the sky like a jellyfish..." Fabulous imagery. However, I feel that it has the feel of a Children's novel at the beginning, not Literary fiction. But I guess that will change as the themes develop.

I have just one issue with it so far - at the end of the first chapter - "Even handmade things have a soul..." I do realise this is fiction, but I have a feeling that this may be off putting to some, even offensive. My suggestion would be to possibly change "soul" to personality.

I will read more later, but for now will Watch list it.

Best wishes, Marilyn

Unusual, wicked or cool, how can I express the ambiance of this story? I am just sorry that I haven't tried to read this piece until now. Where have I been? I think I have just found a gem among thousands of fiction books in this site. This one could be a cult. Why hasn't it been published yet??

Hello, Andrea

I don't have a whole lot to say other than the fact that this is pure delight. I think daveocelot says it all, actually, couldn't say it any better. Being just a reader I don't pick at books or the writing. I either like it, love it, don't like it or hate it!

This I love!

Jess

Yeah, this is really good.

Andrea,
this is wonderful writing, so poignant and full of humanity. I love all the different toys of different backgrounds, a real melting pot of toy.
This is a brilliant premise and tho' I've only been able to read Chp1-3, I know there will be heartbreak and tears ahead if I read on. The oversized teddy is wonderfully written, his illiteracy and his speech impediment are enough to have us all on his side. I love the allegorical quality of the writing. Like Watership Down, one of my favourite reads, which is not really about rabbits, more about democracy and leadership. This isn't really about toys. I came because I have seen this book mentioned in forums with great fondness, and I can now see why.
6 stars.
All the best,
Sharda.
If you have a spare moment, I'd love your comments on...
http://www.authonomy.com/books/42835/mr-unusually-s-circus-of-dreams/

It’s a fine idea, that toys want to escape slavery. Certainly this pitch makes me want to explore further. The truly lovely and silly bit about a bear recovered from the front of a truck – that’s priceless. If it were me, I’d move that up a little, and then move later the bit about the whole place’s existence hanging in the balance – that’s more of a broad note to paint the big picture, and I’d wind down on that, as it’s the main cliff-hanger of the story, or so it sounds.

Yes, what are they all “transitioning into”? That’s what I want to know now. OK, I am curious now, so that’s a pitch well done.

This is very enjoyable. I like the pseudo-academic tone of voice in the note to the reader. Maybe I wish you hadn’t said it was at all fictionalised, because I like the set-up that they are reporting on events, and creating a record. But maybe that’s a tiny thing.

I’m glad you started with the story of the bear. This is an endearing way to open, plus we meet a lot of characters in one go, too. If it were me, I’d consider splitting the second chapter into two, maybe from the point that the bear’s number is called? I think I flagged a little at that point and needed a breather.

Looking back, now the note to the reader confuses me a little, because the author of the tale is not the author mentioned in that note. The tone is entirely different. It does now read like plain fiction. Of course that's fine. It's just that I was expecting a funny take and send-up of reportage, academia, and getting the facts straight. I liked the idea, that this was pseudo-reportage, but now the two styles need to mesh somehow. For me, anyway. Either that or a different sort of promise needs to be made, in that introductory note, perhaps.

I wasn’t sure why the text’s dialogue went into bold print all of a sudden - was that intentional or a computer glitch? (when the hippo gets helped).

This has a lot of charm and warmth.

Best wishes from
Eileen The Noodle Trail

This is absolutely brilliant writing! You've managed to come up with something so fresh and intriguing, and its handy that your writing is masterful. This has "movie rights" written all over it. Best of luck with this!
-- Tod
http://authonomy.com/books/40646/the-lost-wink/

I cried through much of your book, was furious with N.Y.D.O.O.M., what was done with the piggy, the elephant and so many other toys. I laughed in parts of it, and really failed to get much of the symbolism - yet I sensed that there was a lot to be gleamed about real life from your stories. As a reader, I took your book too literally. I couldn't follow the symbolism and didn't care - it was simply a marvelous tale of BoBo, Bixie and all the other toys - although very, very sad. This isn't a book for children, nor for early adolescents, and doubtful that it's for mid-adolescent teenagers. This is an adult book or at least college-level, abstract thinkers. But even at my ripe old age, I failed to understand the point in many scenes and there were a lot of loose ends that I couldn't grasp. Do you think yacould make it a bit clearer for us slower readers? and perhaps tie up a few loose ends? Still, I would read a sequel.

A truly fun and different book idea.
Well written.

Shelby Z./Driving Winds

This book was dicsussed in the forum a while ago and I thought I would take a look. I am glad I did. You write so well. Witty, clever and surprisingly satirical. I feel sure that this work is destined for publication. High stars and on my watchlist. Good luck yours Bea

Hi Andrea,

This is an unsual concoction. Very unique, but it works so well.
Upon reading the first chapter I was tremendously confused at the beginning, then it clicked and made sense.
I figure that you've written a perspective on very real issues and problems facing the world, but using inanimate objects to portray them. It's very diplomatic and a real credit to you for being able to do this.

There is a childlike aspect to it because of the use of toys as characters (the character by the way are fantastic). It acted as a reminder of the many books I've read as a child, but with adult language. It was precious to have this nostalgic recollection all while retaining my identity as an adult - if that even makes sense to you!!

Starred it highly and will be back to read more!

Cheers,
Adam

Fascinating idea for a story. I hadn't heard of this book until I read about it in a forum thread today. I've only read the first chapter but I'll keep reading because you hooked me. I love the talking bear and bunny. It's amazing how easy it was to accept them. Great writing, good characterizations. I'm also interested in the psychology and sociology.

Highly starred.
Susan/Greenleaf (Chameleon)

Dear Andrea

I confess, I am a very late convert to the charms of "Last Days of the Transitional Objects Institute". What was I thinking, when, in my early days as a member, I passed your book by with barely a look? I missed something wonderful.

I love your New York bear with his cleverness - cleaning himself in the washroom?? Brilliant! - so polite and softly spoken. I just LOVE this story. So I am going to read some more soon. After lunch, and probably for the rest of the afternoon.

Meantime, six stars, for a brilliant idea, wonderfully executed, with fantastic characters, great writing and a clean MS. What more could any aspiring reader want? On my WL and shelved soon.

Fran Macilvey, "Trapped" :-))

Actually - responding to Writer in Red - and maybe because this is because I live in a sort of cultural bubble - I'd never heard of Toy Story until years after finishing the novel (which I drew in graphic novel form from 1994-2000, and began to write in 2001). Interestingly, none of the editors who seriously considered the novel over the years - or the bean-counters they cited about rejections - ever mentioned Toy Story elements either. Maybe I should see the movie - I hear it's entertaining. But it's got nothing to do with the book. Call it convergent evolution, if there are similarities. The book is more closely related to Animal Farm or the Velveteen Rabbit in geneaology.

Though the book makes use of an odd perspective, a world in the eyes of toys, I would not give the story complete originality or uniqueness as others have put it. After reading the pitch, I thought this is a Toy Story 3 spin off, since the pixar movie makes use of many of the themes used in the novel, or a sequel of it. I do like the writing, it is very well done, but to be honest I am not fully impressed with the story. There are many toy related books that I have read that use a similar theme but purposely stray away from the Toy Story elements. No major grammar mistakes or plot holes from the first few chapters I read. As it is an interesting story and I find it an enjoyable read, I don't see much that has not already been done before.

Any psychologist whose coat sleeve had brushed the therapy room door, or more, would back this. I am recommending this highly. Backed.
Lara
A RELATIVE LOSS

Andrea, I was put off starting this by the title and because I knew it would be about an anthropomorphic bear. But today I began, and several hours later, I return from your world, completely won over. For a start, it is not sentimental. Your metaphor is beautifully and comprehensively extended, and the visual element packs such a punch that I kept seeing this unfolding in my head, not as a cartoon but as a realistically rendered animation. It would work incredibly well. As a novel, it's definitely for adults. The knowledge the characters display or learn about humanity through their own journey to self-understanding is too sad for children. The psychology and the internal logic of this is faultless. I read with total absorption, heedless of time passing. Only stopped, briefly, when I suddenly remembered my own first TO was a fluffy dog - called Bobo. Thanks. Six stars today, and a shelving soon. Frances.

Normally, when I see a prologue, I get ready to bring out my usual "do you really need this?" comment. But yours is good, and done well, and injects enough intrigue into me to make me want to keep reading it rather than wish I could skip it. I love how straight away you redefine truth, how it's presented as history (which, of course, it is!).
Anyway. I love how you bring Bobo to life. I love the man saying "I suppose you're going to tell me you're a talking bear" - "the bear sighed. This happened to him all the time". I'm not 100% I loved your first paragraph; I felt the first sentence was a bit clumsy (it probably would be fine anywhere else, but first sentences are so important!) though I loved "beauty had passed over it, or under it". I wonder if it might be good to skip this paragraph and go straight to the bear. I really did love him. I almost don't want to read on because I am a softie and I don't want bad things to happen to these stuffed toys, which you bring to life so beautifully "He massaged the clumps... reshaped himself" - sentences like that are just great. (I get sad for the gingerbread man in Shrek, who ends up walking with a crutch after his leg gets bitten off, so...!)
Highly starred for now and wishing I had room on my shelf!

I don't feel qualified to comment on this. This is more than a simple story about a discarded bear. There are layers within layers within layers; almost too many for me to unravel. If I were going to be picky, I'd say there were places where I wasn't sure about the language being used by Bobo, and places where the writing was confusing with regards as to what was happening and to whom. There's a lot of description - e.g. the arrangement of lifts/chairs at reception. For me, too much description. But I always struggle when there are multiple layers to a story, so don't that it as anything massively negative.
this book deserves to be read and published. I maybe wouldn't buy it (I prefer my fiction to be lighter!) but I think a lot of other people would.

I have no idea how to describe this book except wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. Very satisfying to read and think about.

Initial thoughts:

Outstanding characterization of plush & stuffing! Your characters feel more human than most folks I know. You have quickly created a world where the reader is allowed to supend dibelief in order to connect with your characters.

I am in love with the pharase describing Miss Maisie's repsonse to "Bobo's" outburst: "...eyes glazed with professional forbearance..." Ha! Marvelous.

I will continue my reading. For now, highly starred. Great job.

~Lucas
http://www.authonomy.com/books/41102/capritare-the-cycles-begin/

Andrea, after reading the first chapter I have real admiration for your writing. What I found so impressive was your ability to move the reader, but at no stage was anything 'forced.' There's such an understated empathy in the way you're telling this highly original story, and I was enthralled by the array of such well thought out characters. This is a fabulous exercise in fantasy forming parallels with reality, and it was engrossing to read. I'd love to put this on my shelf in the near future to show my support, but in the meantime a full array of hugely deserved stars. It's invigorating and uplifting to read work of such quality, and I wish you every success.

Pete

Hi Andrea,

I really enjoyed reading your book. It is an original and clever way to use toys to talk about our society.
I wish you all the best.

Carolina
See the World through my Eyes.

I'm going away in a few weeks and I've been using that as an excuse to skate by on doing reads. This site does facilitate the creative process in that I keep inventing reasons not to read. Lately, I find that everything I approach makes me want to look almost anywhere else. But I started reading your book on a whim this afternoon and before I knew it I'd read the entire thing.

I really feel that its a remarkable piece of work - brilliantly concieved and executed, beautifully written. I had a notion you might use the story to draw parallels with society and I expected those conceits to be shoehorned in awkwardly. But its all done with such subtlety and consumate skill (I'm thinking here of the Santa God and Mr Finkle's memories of the dizinfektion camps) that it never feels incongruous. In chapter after chapter, you just quietly go about the business of breaking the reader's heart again and again.

With that in mind, I was pleased to find ultimately redemptive character arcs for Bobo and Bixie. But all the main characters feel fully realised (an odd thing to say when they are mostly toys) with even such potentially one-note characters as the Directrix and Hal given fleshed out backstorys that explain their demeanours.

Oddly again, for a book about toys, it feels like the most humane book I've read on this site. And its certainly the very best. I'm going to add it to my shelf where I can gaze at it adoringly, like one of those blue haired old ladies that Dooley managed to elude.

This story of toys is not Toy Story. It starts out like something I might expect to read in New Yorker, but develops into something much deeper. There is an understanding here of the self-actualizing aspect of spirit that informs more than the invisible existence of toys. Far more. That, plus a consistently high quality to the writing makes it superbly, believably readable. The movie will not be as good as the book.

love it!

This book deserves a warm hug. I find it completely unique and marvelous. I wish you the very best!
Backed, Jed Oliver (French roast and Lingerie)

Still sobbing after chapter 14. Boy do you know how it is to come back from the dead. And boy are the Arps the sweetest parents ever. I love the image of this frog-pair - he so big and brownish, and she so small and supergreeeen.
I want this book to never stop.

Andrea, did I tell you that I have a LONG professional background i n working with puppetry? I taught drama for a while to master students - and what i loved the most was to make the students give life and soul to objects, making them into "puppets"
I still remember a very soulfull romance between a pair of scissors and a bunch of keys. Used my own puppets and masks a lot in therapy sessions too -...I made a particularly nasty handpuppet who really brought forth the anger in people - he was really useful for the timid ones. The strange thing was,. that the same puppet brought forth even the same language in the patients - the same antics - like they just allowed him to speak through them.
So I really think you are into something vitally important here :-)
leelah, looking forward to chapter 12 tomorrow

chapter 11:
"We are a monetary institution" (said to a piggybank) - "we cant change the rules just because you have a face -"
Oh that bowled me over.

Gems from chapter 10 - after crying deeply over Bixie's story with a Jekyll and Hyde-father...all the psychological components are here, and for me, at last, much more touching by given to toys.
Wonderful sentences: The little Bixi-pig crossing the motorway -"the artery of certain death."
And the description of sweet mrs Arp: "Mrs Arp was a diminutive rubber bath frog with a sqeaker. A natural poet in a meaningless tonge, Mrs Arp was a species of one."

Oh I still love it! The brochure is fabulous. And I managed to find time to get through chapter 7. I want the movie! Just imagine showing it for discussion at a faculty meeting, or people just entering grad school. I've got to sort through my bookshelf and make room for this.

Mrs. Job (Mona)

Andrea,
Just started to read this.
It's certainly a cut above a lot of the writing in this site. Well done. I'm really looking forward to the read.

Chapter 7: "And all of these pink polyester animals that want to be somebodies"
ahh. What an utterly perfect metaphor. These glimpses of gold are everywhere.
I remember I commented before that this would be great as a film - it would - but as book, it is even better. now I get to make all the images, smell the smells.
What a wondrous time you are giving us

Andrea, I am saving a chapter for each day to emerge myself in this story. I have rarely felt such a pleasure since I read Lolita by Nabokov
- his glittering words, spinning us into a web of poetry - you have this talent too. I find myself reading slowly to make it last. if it was published, i would buy it instantly, and probably buy it to all my friends for birthdays and Christmas.
The suicide of the horsey is still in my nervous-system. What you succeed in doing by describing this is far more(in my mind) effectual than all the gory-describers in horror-literature: we identify wiht all your figures, and so there is LOVE going on.
What a lover your must be, Andrea, ( no, not talking about sex)
Love
leelah
I am in love
Leelah