Paperback: (ARC) 307 pages Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Genre: Middle Grade - fantasy Source: Publisher
Rating:
My Thoughts - From the moment you read the authors introduction which explains what inspired her to write this book - you find that the book is more than just another story, another project. It's a very big part of the author - it represents the passing of a best friend - it's personal. As the author mentions. LIESL & PO is the most personal book she has ever written. You flip to the first page with your eyes a little more wide open, aware, and even a little heavy hearted. Yet the world you discover beneath these very pages is delightful and magical. A story that belongs to a young girl called Liesl who lives in an attic locked away by her stepmother. Liesl's father has recently died and she feels more lonely than ever. She spends her days in the attic without complaint, eating what little is given to her by the servants and drawing to pass the time.
A lost boy called Will and a ghost under the name Po and his pet that are in between the living and the dead are the very characters that will change all that. Po's referred to as "IT" and it's interesting to see things from his perspective. I enjoyed how throughout the book he became more human - almost discovered feeling, and from time to time had a vulnerability about him when it came to Liesl. When Liesl, Will and Po come together the three set out to help one another and most importantly help Liesl do what in her hearts of hearts she knows she must. What I loved also was these three characters discovering themselves with each day and growing. Will has noticed the pretty Liesl for weeks if not months as he has stopped by her window nearly everyday, struck by her heart shaped face and this array of loneliness about her that matches his very own - on the way to doing errands for the Alchemist. You then have Po who seems to be changing in his own way the longer he spends time with Liesl. You notice through little clues. Such as; when he becomes irritated when Will is around, or when Liesl is paying him more attention - which I found amusing as well as quite touching. Or perhaps when Liesl questions him being real which often seems to hit a nerve. In a way she brings a little part of him alive a little more everyday through keeping him in touch with reality. I felt sorry for Po at times. His sadness weighed heavy on me. It must be hard for him to know that he can never touch her, express himself the way Will can. Then there is Liesl who finds herself grow warm with compassion for these very two individuals who have stayed by her side and protected her. Seeing the three of them grow closer day by day, look out for each other and trust one another is lovely. I became fond of them and found that they were all precious to me. I wanted to protect them during the not so great days.
I don't read MG but reading this book has opened me up to the possibility of reading more. Although the premise isn't really anything new or remarkable it's the characters that will win over the hearts of readers - particularly Liesl. Of course it helps that the author has a way with words. LIESL & PO was fast paced, delightful and completely endearing. Liesl is a character who you can't help but love. Trusting, adorable, caring and naive she is a breathe of fresh air. As the three set off on their journey they will face countless obstacles; particularly people who have other motives. In a dark dreary world that seems to have lost all colour, our protagonist seems to be the only one who shines bright.
The illustrations only brought the book and characters to life, and were are a much welcomed addition to the book. The ending itself is beautiful, but more so perhaps because of the awareness of what it represents. When I saw a certain part I couldn't help but think of the author and her best friend; I couldn't help but think how hard and sometimes unbearable, as well as bitter - sweet it must have been to write this book; that very part. It was these thoughts which made my eyes well up and realise just how personal this book truly was. It made LIESL & PO all the more wonderful to me.
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