"A fantastic voyage . . . A whimsical fairy-tale of a book--for adults . . . It's like a dark version of
Alice in Wonderland or
Pinocchio . . . A quick and entertaining read that people who like fantasy-fiction and folk tales will appreciate." --Jenny Dial,
Houston Chronicle
"The brilliance of this gothic-punk novella, sparkling with imagery filtered through the prism of French film-makers Jeunet and Caro, is in the telling: Malzieu's prose is distinctly original, spitting and fizzing with unique similes and striking metaphors, wonderfully translated by Sarah Ardizzone." --Eric Brown,
The Guardian (London)
"A little literary miracle." --
Glamour (Paris)
"[A] fantastical European journey of love and discovery." --Billy Heller,
New York Post "Required Reading"
"Malzieu has a gift for unexpected and strong images." --
Elle (Paris)
"Malzieu sketches European landscapes and crafts figurative language with irresistible relish . . . Calling to mind a host of cultural touchstones, from Pinocchio to
The Wizard of Oz, this kaleidoscopic picaresque will enchant many adults and young people alike." --
Publishers Weekly
"A dreamlike and spellbinding novel." --
Le Figaro Littéraire (Paris)
"Malzieu uses vivid metaphors and fantastical inventions to craft a beautifully written tale of love, both maternal and romantic . . . The prose style is simple and fluid, and the setting is not unlike a Tim Burton film--dreamy, dark, and magical--so it's no surprise that this novel is being adapted into an animated film. For fans of magical realism and fairy tales." --
Library Journal
"A fairy tale
jeu d'esprit, but charming all the same." --
Metro (UK)