Valérie Dayre

I absolutely loved this book. It’s a fantastic, quirky read and although short it gripped me from beginning to end. I loved the feeling of being inside Lily’s mind and following her thoughts and imaginations. Lily is cross with her parents and her anger unleashes a shocking storyline. The story twists and turns so that the reader isn’t sure what is true and what is make-believe, so keeping us guessing until the very end.

I’m so annoyed with myself at my lack of French language skills because I’d love to read more by Dayre. From what I understand it seems that her books are mostly about the workings of a child’s mind, their worries and fears. I wish more of her books had been translated into English.… (more)

Valerie Dayre has been writing books since 1989. She has written over 15 highly-aclaimed books but 'over 15' doesn't tell you how much. She was an author I could find little about considering how much she has written and the fact that all of her books have translated into many different languages.

I chose this book because I thought it was going to be very unusual to read and whilst the plot itself was great I didn't really feel like I'd warmed to Lily. I was hoping to feel something for her, after all she's only a child of 11 or 12 and about to go on a big adventure. Or an adventure of sorts because as it says on the blurb we are left guessing until the end. I actually became tired of the guessing to be honest. It will be interesting to read reviews where parents have given this book to their children to read as I can't imagine it going down well with them either.

So why 3 stars? Firstly, it didn't grab me. As an avid reader I expected to be able to read a book this short within a matter of hours. I struggled to keep my interest going early on, although this did pick up. Secondly, I didn't warm to the characters. Now in a novel of this sort where "Lily is setting off on the strangest holiday of her life ..", I expected to feel something for her, even if it was just the excitement of the unknown. Finally, I just found the ending too many possibilities and the best way to imagine it (because I don't wish to give any of the plot away) is like when they film lots of different endings for soaps and don't decide until the last minute. This was like that for me.

Valerie Dayre can write, I'm not disputing that, but after reading this one I would be reluctant to read another by her. This is the first of her books to be translated into English and maybe her style is more appreciated in other areas of the world or Europe. Having won awards - the main French children's prize and a German Youth Literature Prize it's clear she is definitely popular; just not with me.… (more)