Tamsin

I would rate this book 4 1/2 stars. I truly loved it.

Recently, I've been having some not-so-good reading experiences with certain books. So, I've decided to stick to reading books by the authors that I love for a while.

This particular read has made me extremely happy. I can't wait to get my hands on "The Innkeeper's Song" by the same author.

I believe that by reading books from authors I know and trust, I'm more likely to have a great reading experience.

It's like coming home to a familiar and comfortable place.

I'm looking forward to delving into the world of "The Innkeeper's Song" and seeing what new adventures and emotions it will bring.

Hopefully, it will be just as wonderful as this one.

Here's the deal. I typically rate books based on my personal enjoyment, which doesn't always mirror their quality. Books like Tamsin pose a challenge. I can't precisely say I loved it, but I can most definitely assert that it's a well-written piece. And I didn't anticipate otherwise. I adore the way Peter S. Beagle writes. However, aside from one of my all-time favorites, The Last Unicorn, I just can't seem to establish a connection with his stories. It reminds me of Isabelle Allende in that her writing is beautiful, yet the stories kind of elude me. It's a pity, but I can state with confidence that both Beagle and Allende are great writers, even if I won't be picking up any more of their books.


One of the primary factors that prevented me from feeling more engaged was the slow pace of this read. The book has just over 300 pages, and we spend more than the first 100 pages delving into Jenny's, the main character's, background. I picked this up for cats and ghost stories, not for 100 pages of teenage whining. And here's another point - Beagle did an excellent job of capturing Jenny's voice. I would contend that not every teenager is quite like that, but her voice does sound genuine - authentically irritating. There was so much complaining and actual nastiness from her in the beginning that it took a long time to warm up to her. Of course, it's nice to witness the character development, and she is by no means a bad person. I liked her well enough by the end, but her personality definitely made it difficult to start with.


I liked her relationship with Mister Cat and found their situation highly relatable. Jenny relocates from the US to the UK, and of course, Mister Cat has to come with her. It means six months of quarantine, which is the same as what I endured with my cat when I moved abroad. I wonder if cats still need to be in quarantine for 6 months, though. In my case, it was much less, and I'm pretty sure the regulations here are stricter than in the UK. In any event, I knew precisely what Jenny was going through - all the paperwork, the vet visits, and the scornful look your cat gives you. And just all the longing and fretting about what will happen when you finally get your cat back - will he forgive you? So yes, cats were a significant reason why I wanted to read this book - the cover already reveals that there's a ghost cat, so this was bound to be interesting. Sadly, I found that the cats' roles weren't all that crucial. They were there all the time, but the story would have unfolded more or less the same had they not been there.


Things become far more interesting once Jenny and her family settle into their new Dorset home, which brings all kinds of legends and creatures to life. I was surprised; this book offered more fantasy than I expected. The ghost aspect primed me for mystery and paranormal elements, but I wasn't anticipating the appearance of fair folk. I truly appreciated that so many mythical creatures were included, and not just as some fantastical beings but a proper portrayal of their darker and trickier sides. It easily became the most captivating part of the book for me, and I wish there had been more of that rather than Jenny's backstory. I liked how there was also a great deal of history woven into the plot - I can generally appreciate a nice blend of fantasy and actual history.


It was never really a scary book - Tamsin is about the kindest ghost you can imagine, and I also loved the voice Beagle赋予 her. I will also say that I'm very certain that Jenny had romantic feelings for her. One could, of course, interpret this as platonic or sisterly love of sorts, but I don't think so. Perhaps it's because it's an older book that it isn't precisely spelled out, but so much of what Jenny says about Tamsin sounds more like romantic love than friendship - she even points out that she might feel that way about a man someday. You can read it either way, I suppose, but for those seeking paranormal stories with LGBT elements, I do think this one qualifies.


I was a bit disappointed by the mystery - I would have expected better from Beagle. Basically, I had a hunch about how things would play out (and it was rather generic), but the plot kept seeming to veer in a different direction. I started to believe I must be wrong, and a more original revelation was about to present itself. Sadly, things did end up happening much as I had anticipated. It wasn't exactly a bad thing, but I felt a little cheated, and not in a good way. It's not that Beagle had tried to make me expect something else; it's more that I didn't get the something else ending.


This is a well-written book that I can see appealing to a diverse range of people, and it's probably quite underrated. It has a slow start, which makes it hard to get into, but it's worth persevering. I'm glad I read it, but I won't be picking it up again, and I don't envision myself reaching for more of Beagle's books, despite adoring The Last Unicorn and truly appreciating his writing.

4.5 stars.

When her mother remarries, a 13-year-old girl makes a significant move from the bustling streets of Manhattan to a rather derelict English farm. Little does she know that this farm is haunted by a young woman from the Bloody Assizes. This is truly a hidden gem from Beagle, and it brings to mind the works of Dianna Wynne Jones.

The protagonist writes from the perspective of a young adult looking back on her adolescence. She cringes at her past self but is brutally honest about the fundamental unfairness of being a teenage girl. It's an incredibly immersive and authentic point of view. The setting is filled with rich domestic details, and the portrayal of a cultural Jew in a mixed-faith family evokes a deep sense of fellow-feeling in me.

As the story progresses, it becomes exuberant with British history and folklore. The protagonist finds herself madly in love with her flickering, striking young ghost, and the Wild Hunt screams through the sky.

It's not a perfect book, though. There are moments when the craftsmanship is a bit too obvious, especially in the tension-building and, more unfortunately, in the emotional resolution. At times, it tries to force a more lucent emotional resonance that might be better suited for a different work like "The Last Unicorn" rather than being content with the humble, sympathetic emotions within its own scope.

However, it's still incredibly fun, likeable, and magical, and it's delightfully open to queer readings. This book has been on my To Be Read list for ages, and I'm so glad that I finally got to it and found it completely worth the wait.

I gave this book four stars rather than five. The reason for this is that a five-star book is typically one that I would have an urge to read again. However, in the case of this particular book, I don't feel the need to do so.

I firmly believe that the story will remain etched in my memory without the need for a refresher. Peter Beagle has a truly delightful way of expressing himself. His unique writing style had me chuckling and marveling throughout the entire book.

There were numerous snippets that I wanted to read aloud, but I realized that unless the listener is also reading the book, they wouldn't be able to experience the same level of delight.

Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable read, but it just didn't quite reach the five-star mark for me.

With a contemporary setting and a ghost story as the foundation of the story, this is closer to A Fine and Private Place rather than The Last Unicorn or The Inkeeper's Song.

Being told in the first person by a thirteen-year-old girl (Jennifer - it comes from Guinevere, but she prefers Jenny), the success of the book will rely heavily on your initial reaction to the storyteller.

I was conquered and enchanted from the very first pages. I still remember what it means to be 13, shy but bloody-minded, self-conscious and aggravating towards my parents, street-wise in a big city (New York in Jenny's case) and with a full-blown imagination.

Jenny is forced to abandon her familiar territory and transplant to rural England and life on a farm. Beyond the obvious mystery of the ghost that Jenny tries to solve in her impetuous way, I think the book deals beautifully with two major themes.

First, there is a sense of place/home from the historical events that took place, the agricultural community living close to nature, the fickle weather, and the authors that were inspired and came to define the spirit of the country (Thomas Hardy).

Second, there is a sense of wonder and mystery from the mythical creatures popping out from every nook and cranny of the farm. They may be imaginary, but for Jenny they make the world she lives in more beautiful and interesting.

Best parts of the book for me came from Jenny's quirky sense of humor and her relation with Mister Cat - one of the most memorable animal companions in fantasy. The way she interacts with Mister Cat adds a touch of charm and warmth to the story, making it truly engaging and enjoyable.

I'm not entirely certain when I initially came into possession of this book, but I finally began reading it. If you have perused Peter S. Beagle's "The Last Unicorn", then you will have an appreciation for his writing style. Not only are the places and people brought to life vividly, but their emotions are as well. This book is a classic example of Beagle's work.

The narrative revolves around a teenage girl named Jenny who relocates with her mother and new step-family to an old farm in Dorset. As her stepfather endeavors to make the farm a prosperous home, Jenny discovers that the place is haunted. Among the ghosts, Tamsin, a 20-year-old young woman who passed away 300 years ago but is unable to move on due to something in her past, stands out. The story then weaves in and out, exploring what that thing is as Jenny attempts to assist Tamsin.

Although this story centers on a teenager and a young woman and their relationship, it can be easily read and enjoyed by any gender from junior high age and upwards. Beagle is a master of prose, and there are moments when the feelings of the characters leap right off the page and draw you in. It does commence a little slowly, but it's one of those books that you can't put down once you meet Tamsin and the real story gets underway. I would rate it 4.5 stars out of 5 because of its slow start, but given the rating system here, I'm not going to reduce it to less than it merits. It is a VERY good book.

The plot of the story was indeed interesting, but the characters! Oh my goodness, the characters. I understand this is a rather long piece, so here's a quick summary: I disliked everyone except Meena, Julian, and Mister Cat. And perhaps Tony, although he seemed rather superfluous. Also, when did teenagers start referring to smoking pot as "getting lifted"?

Now, let me elaborate on the top three most annoying characters in descending order, beginning with Jenny, the narrator. Jenny is truly quite funny, and at times, she is exactly like I was when I was a teenager. She is disgusted that her mother is in love, angry that she has to move to England, and generally awkward in that typical teenage way. Some reviews have claimed that "it's so realistic to see how Jenny grows and matures emotionally over the course of the book as she comes to love her family!" However, I disagree. Thirteen-year-olds don't feel bad about talking back to their parents! Every time Jenny says something to anyone, she immediately regrets it and spirals into shame. I initially felt sorry for her, but enough is enough. Yes, we understand that teenage girls are insecure, self-conscious, and ashamed of themselves and their actions. But it was just too much! In the words of the great Nancy Mitford, shame is a bourgeois notion, so if you're going to be a bitchy, own it.

Moving on to Tamsin and Jenny's mother, both of whom were Special Snowflakes, a trait I really despise.

Jenny's friendship with Tamsin revolves around her obsession with Tamsin's smile. When I was 13, I also had these intense, obsessive friendships, but I'm quite certain I never felt as if my stomach turned to chocolate sauce upon seeing a friend. Nor did I feel the need to constantly repeat how queasy I felt inside every time my friend smiled. This smile obsession reaches its peak when Tamsin reappears in the bathroom as Jenny is naked and examining herself. Jenny puts on a robe, assuring us it's not because she's shy, but because of the cold. She notices Tamsin's crooked smile and says, "You've got a beautiful smile for God's sake," I said. "I never saw a smile like yours. I'll do anything - I mean, people would do anything when you smile." Edit: I'm updating this because I realized that maybe Jenny is in love with Tamsin? More than just as a friend? Which is fine, but I still have no idea why on earth Jenny or anyone else for that matter would find her at all appealing. All we know about Tamsin is that she has a killer smile, she smells like vanilla, and that everyone who sees her falls in love with her. Oh, and on her deathbed she cursed her beloved to 300 years of misery. Oops! THIS IS NOT ENOUGH TO MAKE ME LIKE HER, PETER BEAGLE.

And finally, there's Jenny's mom. When I was growing up, my biggest fear was that my family would move to a new town and I would have to be the new girl at school and make new friends. Apparently, that fear still lingers because I want to punch Jenny's mom in the face for moving poor Jenny from New York City to England AND expecting her to be happy about it. I loathe everything about this woman. How she calls herself a Yank (which no American in the history of the world has ever done). How she is so irritatingly mushy in love and expects her 13-year-old daughter to understand and stop bringing her down. How her feelings are hurt because Jenny won't sing in front of her stepbrothers whom she literally just met on the way to their new house. How everyone loves her and thinks she is beautiful and the most wonderful piano teacher in the world, etc. Jenny comments that she can see why her father and her stepfather fell in love with her mother. Really? Please enlighten me, Jenny, because I think she's extremely annoying.

Ghosts and faes and creatures of the night

Peter S Beagle is an author whom I had the pleasure of meeting on one occasion. He is truly an engaging individual, brimming with captivating stories. One of the subject matters that Mr Beagle excels at is depicting a girl's encounter with the supernatural world. In his narrative, he presents the tale in a unique way, as if an inexperienced writer is jotting it down in a diary, yet without the typical "Dear Diary..." opening. The story initially commences at a leisurely pace. This is because a troubled teenager has just found herself in a setting that she has no inclination towards. However, everything changes when Tamsin, a ghost with her own set of problems, makes an appearance and introduces the girl to a world that she will ultimately come to embrace. It is indeed a remarkable read that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.