We are in Edinburgh and it is 1874. Jack comes into the world on the coldest night imaginable; his heart is frozen and Dr Madeleine, who has delivered him, has to perform an operation immediately to ensure that he lives. But she is an unusual doctor, and her response to the crisis is to surgically attach a cuckoo clock to his chest. So, clearly we are in the land of fairy tales. And all is well (more or less) until he falls in love…
Why did I want to read it?
This is one of those occasions where I was definitely attracted by the lovely cover. I bought it in Forbidden Planet on London’s Shaftesbury Avenue on a book-buying jaunt with (I think) Silvery Dude. And I’m embarrassed to say that I have had this in my possession for years, and it’s made its way on and off Once Upon a Time challenge reading lists. But this year I was determined to read it.
What did I think of it?
The Boy with the Cuckoo Clock Heart is a wonderfully dark story of love and obsession and difference and rivalry and jealousy and people doing what they think is the right thing without really considering the consequences. One to go back to, I think.
My second Readathon book, and my first completed read for OUAT VIII. (Edit – though of course it wasn’t , it was my second, duh!)
7 comments
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May 11, 2014 at 6:07 pm
lynnsbooks
That cover is pretty amazing – it sort of reminds me of something from a Burton film. Do I sense that you’re still thinking about your feelings on this one? I like the idea of it – would you recommend?
Lynn 😀
May 11, 2014 at 6:22 pm
brideofthebookgod
I would definitely line to read it again, Lynn, but I did enjoy it and I would recommend it. Certain scenes are still popping into my head a couple of weeks after reading. Definitely Burtonesque!
May 12, 2014 at 10:30 pm
Jenny @ Reading the End
That’s an amazing cover — judging just on that I’d want to read it!
May 13, 2014 at 7:19 am
brideofthebookgod
That’s exactly the reason I picked it up Jenny, caught my eye on the bookshelf
May 20, 2014 at 8:18 pm
Katherine Nabity
I’m utterly unfamiliar with this book and it sounds *so* good, beautiful cover aside! (The US cover? Intriguing, but not as good.)
May 20, 2014 at 10:23 pm
brideofthebookgod
Oh, I haven’t seen the US cover, I must go and have a look.
June 22, 2014 at 8:17 pm
Once Upon a Time VIII – wash-up post | Bride of the Book God
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