Doug MacLeod (1959–2021)

What a sweet, funny, endearing, captivating story! I traded for this book because I liked the title, having just renewed my interest in old Cat Stevens' songs. I had no idea what this book was about, except that it seemed to be written for readers under the age of 18. I found myself laughing so often and each time I did, I loved the characters even more. I liked how Seth got along with his parents, how his relationship with his brother was realistic, how the old hippie mindset played into show more the story (the walls of the house, peeing on the lemon tree, the songs, the frankness of sexuality), and how different Seth's views on attractive girls were compared to the usual Young Adult book.

I kept being reminded of the scene in the movie Donnie Darko where Donnie walks Gretchen home from school. The atmosphere and emotion of the story was very much like that scene - sweet, funny, real, flirty-nervousness in the boy's part, confidence in the girl's part. That's my favorite scene in the movie but it only lasts about a minute. Moonshadow takes that minute and extends it, which is very satisfying. :)

My only complaint is that the book wasn't longer. I read it in one night - it was that enjoyable. I would welcome a sequel or a series of Seth books. This is a book I will be keeping in my library, reading many more times, and recommending to others. Oh, yes, I should say ... I'm 44 yrs. old! show less

To echo some other reviewers of this novel - wow. This was not what I was expecting at all. Doug Macleod has penned a very sophisticated and involving story indeed. I was totally captured by the story of Colin Lapsley and the "shiny guys".
The setting is a psychiatric hospital in 1985 and Colin is seeing things no-one else sees (shiny guys) on the periphery of his vision. His parents have hospitalised him following a family tragedy and little by little we learn about how Colin came to be show more where he is. Colin's friend, Mango, has his own set of problems that mainly centre on him randomly hugging people and not letting go. It doesn't bother Colin. Eventually Mango calms down and lets go. Then Anthea shows up. Reserved and focused on shooting 100 netball goals a day, she is drawn into Colin and Mango's circle.
Colin is an eloquent and clever narrator and at times you start to wonder if the shiny guys are real - he certainly believes they are.
Bit by bit we learn more and more of Colin's story, and those of Mango and Anthea. My heart cried a little bit at each revelation, as I further understood how these things had come to be.
I won't post spoilers, as is my policy, but as I read the last pages over breakfast this morning and then reached the end, there was slamming of the book on the table and lots of "WHAT? Seriously? Aaargh!" from me. I will be interested in hearing comments about that ending from others. I loved and hated that ending simultaneously.
I can't wait to see where Doug Macleod goes from here, because The Shiny Guys is brilliant.
Recommended for ages 14 and up. show less

Reviewed for the VPRC. Macleod is trying to emulate Lewis Carroll but it doesn’t quite work – it’s an ok story but I didn’t particularly like it, as the start was a bit too strange and laboured. If you like bizarre worlds that eventually make sense then you may like this – complex language – would be interested to see what kids made of it – some parts are a little horrifying (the exploding artist & the toadstool children in the cave!) This is the story of Morton, who lives at show more the edge of a magical forest with 4 clockwork animals. Into his life strolls Hannah who seems smitten with him but stomps out in a huff when they first meet, leaving behind her shawl. As M races after H to give back her shawl, an angry wind springs up and suddenly M has lost his hut and his 4 most precious possessions. He travels into the forest looking for them and meets all sorts of evil creatures inclusing some strange Koi men and Mara ( an evil spider sorceroress) and Loki ( an hypnotic undead demigod in a rowing boat). It is all a bit "Alice in Wonderland" right down to the songs and the absurdity of it all. Junior students. show less

This is an amusing read with a winning hero and some convincing period detail(it is set in England in 1828. I enjoyed it but the ending felt rushed and tacked on. As if Mr. MacLeod's imagination (normally capable of great flights of fancy)has suddenly deserted him.