I received a copy of Lark and the Loon in exchange for my honest review. Reviews on my blog were not required. All opinions are, of course, my own.
I’d like to thank WOW! Women on Writing for including me on this tour.
Title
Lark and the Loon
Book Details
Publication Date: July 21, 2020
Publisher: WiDo Publishing
ISBN: 9781947966253
Book Description
Ten-year-old Lark loved all his birthday gifts but the special stone from his grandfather is his favorite. Hidden away in his pocket, it suddenly heats up, catapulting Lark into a magical land of a sunset, or sunrise, (he wasn’t quite sure) and a stardust path leading to nowhere and everywhere.
Lonely little Lark soon meets a mimicking boy named Echo. Together they set off to see where the path will take them. As they travel, they encounter two more friends: a precocious little girl and a wise old talking loon. Hopping onto the loon’s back, the children are taken through the sunset/sunrise until they find themselves stuck inside a weeping willow. The only way out is a rickety-looking ladder climbing out of the darkness to a destination unknown.
Lark and his friends climb, reaching one level only to find yet another. They are led on a fantastical journey, a magical world of exploration, a journey that may or not finally bring Lark back home.
Lark’s pathway, challenging his sense of the possible and the impossible, travels through life and death moments as he miraculously sees crucial family turning points through his mother’s eyes.
My Thoughts & Takeaways
Lark and the Loon by Rhiannon Gelston is a magical realism story and is as fascinating as the cover anticipates. The story follows Lark, a 10-year-old boy, is in a magical world yet reliving experiences through his mother’s eyes. We first meet Lark on his 10th birthday when he receives a gift from his Gramps – a small, smooth “lucky” stone. And, it is indeed lucky and magical as it transports him to a magical place.
I was a bit confused at first on what exactly this book is about and perhaps one has to actually read it and finish to fully grasp the beautiful nature of it. There are a number of lessons, tidbits of wisdom, and amazing perspectives sprinkled throughout the story. This story might be classified as magical realism, but it relates to the real world and real problems than you would ever think. It’s full of raw emotion, insight, and adventure.
