Synopsis
All roads lead to Underhill, where it’s always winter, and never nice.
Harry Bodie has a famous grandmother, who wrote beloved children’s books set in the delightful world of Underhill. Harry himself is a failing kids’ television presenter whose every attempt to advance his career ends in self-sabotage. His family history seems to be nothing but an impediment.
An impediment . . . or worse. What if Underhill is real? What if it has been waiting decades for a promised child to visit? What if it isn’t delightful at all? And what if its denizens have run out of patience and are taking matters into their own hands?
Review
I read this in an afternoon! At first, I didn’t think it would be for me, as the setting opened up in our world. And not just our world, but England in 2019, just before the pandemic, something with which I am very familiar!
Honestly, I’m rarely a fan of contemporary settings (especially as I read for escapism more than anything else, and would rather not read about our world), but trust Tchaikovsky to win me over with this fantastic little story!
This is a real genre blend by the end, including contemporary, portal fantasy, and science fantasy with flavourings of mythology and folklore, and more than one nod to literary works – including a very iconic wardrobe.
I loved how everything interlinked and grew from what seemed like a small seed of an idea and concept. It reflects so much of the fever dream, “what is time,” during the pandemic, and the story is brilliant that grows around it. It reminds us of consequences, the decay of time, and how things aren’t always what you expect, hope, or want them to be.
There are also little feelings of Toy Story/Made Things scattered throughout, and just a hint of absurdism to tie everything together.
It was wonderfully written, with some strong characterisations for such a short read. The ending was especially lovely, especially when there were a few ways it could have gone (some very dark options indeed).
The audiobook was also narrated by the author, which is always a lovely touch 🙂
Highly recommend!
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