The Midnight Carousel opening lines: On the outskirts of Paris, where factories and foundries bustle by day, there is silence at night. From the city’s port to a patch of wild scrubland near the shabbiest slum, fog creeps between deserted industrial buildings.
My blurb:
Maisie only knows hunger, cold and uncertainty, until her Aunt rescues her from the poverty she is living in. But, despite being exposed to wealth and comfort, uncertainty seems to follow her. First from Canvey Island to her new home, and then from England to America. The other thing that follows her is a carousel. And this is not just any carousel, but one that seems to hold her fate within its very structure. What will Maisie do to protect herself, and her son?
The Midnight Carousel
Paris, 1900Carousel-maker Gilbert works tirelessly to finish his masterpiece in time for the city’s Exposition Universelle. But Gilbert is struggling in the wake of his wife and son’s tragic deaths, and as he finalises his creation, a dangerous idea forms in his mind . . .Chicago, 1920Having come to America for a new life, when Maisie unearths a neglected carousel, she seizes the chance for a new destiny. But twenty years ago, the carousel was linked to a number of people inexplicably disappearing – and now history has begun to repeat itself . . .
My verdict:
What a wonderfully written book, full of possibilities, hope and real life. Maisie’s life might be full of tragedy and hardship, but she believes in herself which is such a message of hope. I can recommend that you add this debut novel to your to be read pile.
About the Author:
Fiza Saeed McLynn read History at Oxford University and had a brief career in finance before spending the next 12 years helping the bereaved as part of her work as a complementary therapist. The Midnight Carousel is her debut novel.
Publishing information:
Penguin Random House South Africa sent me this novel to review.
See the links below for blog posts I published on 10:
- 2024: Explore Global Cuisine: From Street Food to Gourmet Delights
- 2022: Sunday Scones
- 2020: Cream Scones
- 2018: Lavender And Lime Scones
- 2016: The Isle Of Islay, Scotland
- 2015: Cheese And Tomato Scones
- 2012: Heather Honey Chicken
- 2011: Coriander
- 2010: Cheese Sauce
A super review, Tandy
Thank you for reading it!
Haven’t read anything this author. This one seems like a good one to start.
Haven’t read anything from this author. This seems like a good one to start.
It is a debut novel, and I really enjoyed it, but hubby is finding it heavy going 🙂