SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY
Lucy Martin's nice life is changed when her father loses his job and her family moves to Iowa, to a house that her father has inherited. Lucy learns about how her ancestor, Oscar, disappeared in 1914 and the wild story that his mother told about him rowing away in a ocean where fields should have been. She learns about the power of the blank book after turning her father into a bird. Together, the two set out to find him in the land that was created by the book.
OUR CAST OF CHARACTERS
Lucy Martin isn't thrilled about her new home. But she is not self-absorbed, and is well aware of the issues between her parents. Doing her journey she and Oscar become close and she feels torn with having to send him home, even though he would be reunited with his family.
Oscar Martin dreams of being a writer and is rather creative. As a child, he wasn't that close to his father, who wanted him to be a farmer, while he was more like his mother. He quickly becomes friends with Lucy and decides to help her save her father. He struggles to come to terms with the fact that all of his family members have passed away.
Lucy's mother and father don't seem suited for each other. Her mother is a work-a-holic who gets easily stressed and has to have everything planned. Her father on the other hand, is rather laid back, disorganized, and whimsy.
King Bertrand and Queen Leona are both rather odd characters. Both have tempers, are spoiled, and are rather unforgiving. They do seem like characters from a child's story, as they are rather childlike themselves.
Tom is a cat who was once a boy. He was chosen to be the Wizard King's familiar. Although Oscar trusts him at first, it isn't long until he is suspicious of his motives.
PACING
The pacing is not fast, but it's not slow either. There are twenty-eight chapters in the book, and we get six until we meet Oscar, and twelve until we actually leave home and go on an adventure. But the time is used wisely, we learn about the alchemy Lavonne was studying, as well as how the potion Lucy's dad makes, works.
MOOD & THEME
The story is rather simple, and humor is used throughout. I found the interaction between Oscar and Captain Mack the most amusing. But I don't think humor can necessarily be called the theme.
The behavior of the king and queen is very childlike. Normally I would be annoyed by this, but it seemed obvious that the story was supposed to have been created by Oscar, a child. So if anything, I would say the mood of the story is childish and simple.
But the theme is sacrifice. Oscar sacrifices his safety so go on a journey with Lucy. Much time later on is spent pondering over another sacrifice Oscar may make. Lucy is awed by it.
THE PROBLEM OF TOM
The character of Tom causes a lot of trouble, and he may be my one critique. He seemed rather dumb and not worthy of so much time. I kept thinking that Oscar should have been able to outsmart him. Also, he never really gets punished.
LUCY'S TRANSFORMATION
Lucy gets turned into an animal in a large portion of the book, and I found it surprisingly entertaining. It was an original look to what it would be like to live by mere instincts. She often has to remember who she is, all over again, after forgetting. It was frustrating and interesting. I wanted to shout, you're Lucy! He's Oscar! Go get him!
ORIGINALITY & CHARACTERS
We have all had the idea of stepping into a story, but Kladstrup executes it in a simple, childlike tale, that has surprising depth when it comes to the two main characters. All of the other characters are simply storybook characters, but Oscar surprised me with his depth. He knew he may never go home, but still wanted to help Lucy, a girl he barely knew. They may have bonded slightly over the struggling relationships of their parents, but it's really their conversations that made the book so unique to me.
As for Lucy, she learns to become much more selfless and caring. Oscar brought out the best in her, and in the last pages of the book, when they have their last discussion about Oscar going home or staying in the present, I was amazed. There was more depth and strength of character than in many romantic relationships I have read of. And they were just two kids.
CONCLUSION
Kladstrup manages to make an original story with likable characters who develop and face real issues, even in a fairy tale story. She manages to balance the silly with the serious, the simplicity of the story with the clarity of meaning.
What do you think? Did you read this book? Agree or disagree with me on any points? Please let me know!
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