The windswept High-and-Dry, home to twins Luna and Oona, and their Grandad Mull is sinking beneath the waves. Apparently it's all the fault of the dastardly fishfolk...
Written in an authentic and innovative voice and with stunning linocut illustrations, Fishfolk is the tale of two girls and their battle to survive the sea, the evil fishfolk, and the truth and lies that threaten to engulf them.
What a strange mix this read is! A story with the feel of a folktale, something that's been handed down for generations, though it seems to be set in the future. A story about hope set in a world that's crumbling away. A story with almost its' own language, but clearly a descendant - or antecedent - of ours.
The illustrations sadly didn't come through very clearly in my proof copy, but I could see enough to know that they're going to be amazing in person, really spectacular. It's such a clever idea for a story, too - the language is a really clever touch.
Some of the themes might be difficult for younger children, but I think older children will really appreciate it. Very clever.
Book Recommendation: The Book of Boy by Catherine Gilbert Murdock. Like Fishfolk, it has a folktale-like quality, an unusual but compelling narrative voice, and a setting that feels both historical and otherworldly. It follows an orphaned boy on a mysterious quest through medieval France, encountering strange and sometimes magical elements along the way.
Movie Recommendation: The Dark Crystal. Although it's set in a fantasy world, Jen's quest is not unlike Oona's. The Dark Crystal is almost the only movie with absolutely no humans in it at all - all the characters are puppets made by the Jim Henson Workshop.
Fishfolk publishes on the 10th of April, 2025. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.
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