When a boy, Otto, and his Mother, a renowned coat maker, arrive in the city of Hodeldorf, it's clear that something is a foot. The city is gripped by a perpetual cold so intense that people fear being frozen to death in their sleep while The Tattercoats, a gang of orphaned and abandoned children sleep huddled on roofs next to chimney stacks to try and keep warm.
When Otto's mother dissapears and he is tricked into seeking help in Frau Ferbers Book Polish Factory, the Tattercoats must come to his rescue and venture into the terrifying Forest of Lost Things, battling witches, wolves and magical forces in order to solve the biggest puzzle of all.
There are some bold themes at work here.
There is a darkness that chills adult readers to the core and yet it is hard not to compare the Tattercoats and the children of the boot polish factory to Fagins boys in Oliver Twist and The Lost Boys in Peter Pan. As well as the tragedy of their situation there is hope in their friendship and solidarity that extends beyond the logical world of the novels adults into that of magic, fairytale and faith.
There was also something in this book that sharply reminded me that the world is seen very differently from the eyes of an adult to that of those of a child. Thank goodness.
From child abuse, exploitation, famine, death and hardship this book paints a harsh picture of life in Hodeldorf, especially as this book is aimed at readers 9+.
And yet, just as there is darkness in so many of the fairytales that have become so embedded in our collective cultural psyche, there is also hope, friendship, cameraderie, and a whole fistful of adventure.
A perilous tale of magic and adventure for children. If you are reading this as an adult, be prepared to be terrified!
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