Review by Maria Bligh
Readers will know how much I enjoyed Lyn’s previous book, Fat Hope! Willy the Whizz and the Wormhole is quite a different prospect. From the front cover picture and the title font, it’s pretty clear this short novel will appeal to lovers of Harry Potter-esque fiction, but unlike the Potter books, WTW is a snapshot rather than a saga.
The plot centres around a small group of friends – young lads – each with a very distinctive personality who, in the course of seeking an escape from their domestic environment, do as kids do and create a den. This one happens to be in a disused barn which, it transpires, hides a magical secret that becomes the centrepiece of the story.
I had the feeling their adventures could have been expanded, but what there is was entertaining, even though not my first choice of genre.
There were many moments of humour, mostly provided by the mother, Pru. Although she was my favourite character, I guess you’d call her tragi-comic. The young daughter, Maud and Einstein, the dog, were also very well portrayed. At times, I felt the main protagonist, Will, was a little too alike Harry Potter, but I guess this is one of the things that will create the appeal I mentioned in my opening paragraph.
All-in-all, an amusing, entertaining and easy read. My challenge to you is to see whether you can identify the song referenced on page 17 from the subject matter mentioned and the mis-quoted (by Pru) lyrics. Answers on a postcard…
