Tamsin is a captivating ghost story, as evident from its dust jacket. It is narrated from the perspective of a 19-year-old girl who recalls her 13-year-old self. She was uprooted from bustling New York City to a quiet farm in Dorset, and the story unfolds her various experiences after that significant move.

Jenny, the protagonist (or perhaps it's Tamsin, or even Dorset itself - it's not entirely clear, but maybe it doesn't truly matter), struggles with making friends, both in the city and in the countryside. The book takes its time to build the characters and the setting. It details Jenny's distress at the move and her reminiscences of her past self, which can be a bit tiresome at times.

However, everything changes when Jenny encounters the ghost of Tamsin Willoughby, a girl who died three centuries ago. Tamsin, a hodgepodge of memory and dream, introduces Jenny to a world of otherworldly creatures that inhabit the English countryside. The story may not have a complex mystery or a thrilling climax, but its beauty lies in the way it is told.

The characters, including Jenny, Tamsin, Edric, and even Judge Jeffreys, feel remarkably real. Despite not enjoying the first quarter of the book, I still gave it five stars because of the deep sense of loss I felt when I closed the book. It's a story that lingers, and I will surely read it again.

I was truly and deeply immersed in this book, and I can only liken my experience to my absolute adoration for The Last Unicorn. This remarkable book encompasses everything: ghosts (including a ghost cat!), an epic adventure, and the angst of a teenage girl. I find myself joining the ranks of other reviewers, wondering in awe how on earth Beagle manages to understand what it's like to be a teenage girl.

I adored the central relationship between Tamsin and Jenny. Although the book attempts to label them as sisters towards the end, there is a palpable undercurrent of white-hot jealousy on Tamsin's part for Jenny's attention. However, I also cherished the character arcs of these two. I could often anticipate the steps ahead - the Black Dog, Mrs. Fallowfield, the Wild Hunt - but rather than detracting from my enjoyment, it enhanced it. Beagle is truly masterful in the art of unfolding a story, not just in its presentation.

I also derived great pleasure from the friendship between Meena and Jenny, with all the typical teen girl dynamics at play. It makes one wonder how Beagle managed to capture this so accurately, just like he did with Molly Grue. Additionally, the background involving Jenny, Sally, and New York added depth to the story. I'm perhaps less forgiving of Sally than Jenny was, but that's a complex aspect of the relationship between teen girls and their mothers that maybe only teen girls can fully comprehend. The villain in the story also brought to mind shades of King Haggard, and it's clear that Beagle has no affection for his villains, yet he fleshes them out as if they were real individuals.

Mister Cat, though, along with Miss Sophia Brown, is simply incredible. I wholeheartedly recommend this book. It's a 10/10, and it's the perfect treat to enjoy a wonderful ghost story during the month of October.

Yes, another re-read.

Maybe it's because I long to ease into 2016 gently, beginning with familiar and reliable beloved stories.

God knows this year could be terrifyingly scary and full of unfamiliar things.

Tamsin still holds the fort. It still made me shed tears a couple of times.

If I could, I'd give away copies of it to everyone I know.

Bumping it up to 5 stars, because a book that can be read over and over again without losing its luster is truly special.

The last read even gave me a shiver that I didn't have before.

I'm re-reading because I was watching Victorian farm from BBC and seeing them plow the field reminded me of the stepfather who wanted to revive the soil in this Dorset farm.

It's getting better on re-reading.

For one thing, I can't believe I hadn't noticed so many other interesting characters.

I must have been rushing through it the first time.

Where were Beagle's books when I was still a child?

To think how much I've missed by not reading it at the right age.

Reading it now made me fall in love with Jenny.

She was not a perfect child and meeting her in the real world might make me hate her as a teenager.

Her story, though, of shedding her annoying shell and growing up is sweet without being obnoxious.

And it's surely enjoyable to read a creepy story without vampires or werewolves for a change.

Boggart, Pooka, Lady of the Elder, Oakmen... bring all the "old weirdness", and I welcome them all.

I really have had some luck with my reading lately.

I'm so satisfied with this book that it scored some bonus points even when it didn't have to.

See how the creepy and vicious Judge Jeffrey of the Bloody Assizes was given another dimension right at the end.

He's still a creep and villainous, but Beagle has shown us that even he would have done anything for the one he loves.

"For her I would have betrayed my post, my King and my God--indeed, I did so in my heart, with never a second thought. That makes Tamsin Willoughby mine."

I know it looks stupid, writing it down like that. But you didn't hear him, and I still do.

He really would have done all that for her, you see, and done it believing he'd burn in hell forever for doing it.

He hadn't done it, and it wouldn't have made her his anyway, but you see why he'd have thought it did.

Or I saw it anyway, at the time.

He was a maniac and a monster, but people don't love like that anymore.

Or maybe it's only the maniacs and monsters who do.

Still a sick man, but which other villain was given this much capacity to love by its author?

Perhaps not quite up to THE LAST UNICORN, but still a fine read from a well-regarded contemporary fantasy author.

Jenny, a young American girl, relocates to Dorset, England along with her mother and step-father. Her step-father is engaged in restoring an ancient estate known as Stourhead Farm. This farm is haunted by Tamsin, a spirit that has been haunting the lonely estate for a whopping 300 years. Tamsin is compelled to remain there due to a terrible experience that she cannot recall.

Jenny decides to assist Tamsin, but she quickly discovers that she might have taken on a task that is far more challenging than she initially thought.

The book appears to be targeted at teenage girls. However, I can assure you that this 70-year-old man derived great enjoyment from it. It is humorous in certain parts and deeply moving in others. It truly embodies the style of Peter Beagle, and that is a guarantee of its quality.

The story is exquisitely written and narrated from the viewpoint of a 13-year-old girl. She relocates with her parents from bustling Manhattan to a vast farm house in England.

The house is eerie as it is haunted and inhabited by a ghost named Tamsin, who passed away over 300 years ago. Jenny discovers a great deal about Tamsin and the era in which she lived. The narrative incorporates fascinating historical tidbits regarding the Bloody Assizes of 1685, the cruel and unforgiving Chief Justice Jeffries of Wem, the Monmouth Rebellion against King James II, and the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

It is a magical, wild, and utterly delightful story that takes the reader on a captivating journey through time and mystery.

The combination of a young protagonist's perspective, a haunted house, and historical events makes it a truly engaging and unique read.

One can't help but be drawn into the world of Jenny and Tamsin, and become immersed in the rich tapestry of history and the supernatural that unfolds within the pages of this wonderful story.

It's a tale that will leave readers spellbound and longing for more.

A succinct book review, so you have more time left for reading books!

The classic tale of ghosts with unfinished business being assisted by a plucky, living person is not a new concept. However, when Peter S. Beagle tells it in his work, it becomes something truly extraordinary.

As you start reading, you'll find yourself completely immersed in a world where his unique narrative style makes you feel as if you've never heard of any archetype ever before, or even read anything ever before.

The story unfolds with such vividness and charm that it quickly becomes the one and only ghost story that truly matters. Beagle's ability to bring the characters and the supernatural elements to life is simply remarkable.

He weaves a tale that is both haunting and heartwarming, filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. If you're a fan of ghost stories or just looking for a captivating read, this book is definitely one that you don't want to miss.

Gorgeous - beautifully written with superior character development.

It is truly remarkable how this middle-aged male author managed to successfully channel the voice of a thirteen-year-old girl.

The way he captured the essence of her thoughts, emotions, and mannerisms is almost magical.

It is a mystery that keeps the reader intrigued and wondering how he achieved such a feat.

The story unfolds with a grace and charm that is captivating from start to finish.

The author's attention to detail and his ability to bring the characters to life on the page is a testament to his talent.

Well done indeed, for creating a work that is not only a pleasure to read but also a masterclass in character writing.

This is a book that will stay with the reader long after the final page has been turned.

The story centers around Jenny, an American girl who relocates with her mom to live with her new stepfather in Dorset, the English countryside.

Upon arrival, she encounters numerous faerie people and befriends Tamsin, the ghost of a young woman who passed away three hundred years ago.

Jenny shares this story years after its occurrence. I believe this is beneficial as it is not from the perspective of an irritating tween. Instead, it is that of a young woman who can critically reflect on herself. She is the antithesis of an unreliable narrator, being honest about her feelings and actions even when they are unflattering, which is a refreshing change.

However, this poor girl also gives her parents and others the benefit of the doubt when they truly don't deserve it. This makes one feel sorry for her as it seems she was heavily relied upon by her parents, a horrible situation for a 13-year-old to handle. I mean, this poor child had no support system. Reading this as an adult makes me truly angry and it's also saddening to see how Jenny simply accepts it as normal.

I must admit that I detest all the adults thus far in this book. Jenny's parents are, at best, selfish and, at worst, horribly neglectful. Her deadbeat father doesn't even make an effort, which is rather pathetic. Her mother is the worst. I can sympathize with her desire to find and keep love, but at the expense of neglecting her daughter's well-being and then making empty promises is particularly weak. She spends the entire novel focused on her new husband and pushing him onto her daughter. This might be somewhat tolerable if the daughter were 16 - 17, but a 13-year-old is still a child!

I could go on about how much I despised her mother, but I'll stop. The stepfather also isn't really trying, only contributing to defend the mother at the expense of this poor child. And there's also the creepy teacher that no one bothers to address! I mean, some people should never be parents, and this is a prime example.

Nevertheless, I really love the children in this book. Jenny's new stepbrothers, also having neglectful parents, go out of their way to be kind to others to compensate. This is incredibly sweet when children recognize they are being treated wrongly and, instead of having a negative reaction, ensure they treat others with kindness. The youngest brother, Julian, is especially the sweetest child, but not atypically so for a kid.

Meena is the perfect counterpart to Jenny. They complement each other, making them the best of friends, especially for tweens at this stage. All young girls should have friends like Meena as they bring out the best in each other.

It takes some time for any of the paranormal elements to emerge, so the first 50 pages are a bit slow. However, I really enjoy the English folklore elements. This book was written before fae lore became mainstream, so much of it is based on lesser-known fae creatures and legends. I'm a sucker for anything that delves deeply into classic folklore, as it feels like the author has done their research, unlike some others.

When the more paranormal events do begin to occur, it's a great blend of faerie lore and ghost lore, with a unique Rural English folktale feel that I absolutely adore in fiction. It progresses rather slowly, but it allows the reader to truly immerse themselves in what's happening and also takes the time to introduce each new ghost or faerie creature. Beagle prolongs the buildup but provides some teasers along the way. The ghost cat was definitely a spooky favorite (it's on the front cover, so not a spoiler).

The novel does become a bit eerie in the last third. Not to the point of being distracting, but it adds to the atmosphere of the book. It handles the adult themes of obsessive, abusive love in a way that kids can understand, which is important as it may seem like the opposite of neglectful abuse, but it's still a form of abuse. This, I think, is the main theme of the story, about how to define healthy emotional relationships and what defines abusive ones.

The only minor criticism I have is with the ending. It was the most action-packed part of the story but had a deus-ex Machina feel that wasn't necessary. Still, I would've loved a bit more faerie lore incorporated. There was plenty, but it was so well-written that I wanted more.

This is a wonderful young adult novel that I recommend to everyone. If you like ghost stories, they're in there. If you like faeries, they're there too. If you like history, you get some of that as well. This is a coming-of-age story that I think is severely underrated. For those who don't know, Beagle also wrote The Last Unicorn. This book is just as charming as that one. A solid 5 stars from me!

I have an undying love for this timeless book. It's truly an amazing gem that I happened to discover due to the imminent re-release of The Last Unicorn. The fact that Patrick Rothfuss wrote the forward immediately caught my eye.

What a wonderful gift this book is!

Now, I will definitely be delving into Peter's catalogue as he has completely stolen my heart.

I have long been a passionate lover of old English ghost and folk tales. Having lived in Devon at one point in my life, those tales hold a special place in my heart and seem to scream out to me.

Adding to its charm is Peter's remarkable mastery in being able to convincingly write from the perspective of a fourteen-year-old girl. Wow, he pulls it off so beautifully that you can actually forget it's written by a sixty-year-old man. He is truly a master of his craft!

This book is a true treasure. So, go ahead and embark on this amazing ride. You will most definitely be glad that you did.

I read the Kindle edition with the cats on the cover, not this one. Just to be clear, it's not available to select on GR.

The narrator pens this tale nearly five years later, recounting her experience as a young teen. The majority of the book unfolds at a slow pace, yet the prose is not simplistic. This is precisely why I persisted in reading. I devoured the last quarter within a day and am extremely pleased with my decision to read it. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone for whom the prose and the characters hold allure. I thoroughly relished how it resolves, and perhaps you will as well.

The story seems to draw you in gradually, like a gentle current. The details of the narrator's youth are painted with a fine brush, creating a vivid picture in your mind. Despite the slow start, the complexity of the prose keeps you engaged, making you eager to discover what lies ahead. By the time you reach the final quarter, you can't put it down. The resolution is both satisfying and thought-provoking, leaving a lasting impression. It's a book that lingers in your thoughts long after you've turned the last page.

I simply cannot fathom the reason why people are rating this book so highly. Just because the author wrote another book that you liked and which was made into a movie, it doesn't necessarily mean that this particular one is any good at all.

Jenny really sucks. She even admits, "I'm crap at describing stuff so lmaooo I'm never going to describe anything in this book roflmao."

The only positive aspect, if one can call it that, is that it genuinely gives the impression of being written by a shitty 13-year-old girl. In a strange way, I guess that's fairly impressive. But overall, this book seems to be lacking in so many areas. It's hard to understand why it has received such high ratings from some people. Maybe they have different expectations or standards when it comes to literature. But for me, it just doesn't cut it.

This wasn't precisely what I had been hoping for subsequent to reading The Last Unicorn.

I did take pleasure in the ghost Tamsin, the fey creatures, and the history associated with Judge Jeffreys (of Captain Blood fame; interestingly, the two portrayals of him are actually rather compatible, save for the fact that this is clearly fantasy). I believe it all blended together quite well and meshed with the modern heroine, Jenny.

However, I'm not entirely sure. I don't object to the fact that it wasn't charming like Elizabeth Marie Pope's The Sherwood Ring (also about benign ghosts such as Tamsin); it's acceptable that Tamsin is darker, which is more in line with the history upon which it is based. And it's fine that it features a troubled teen. I don't mind that she's a bit of a handful for half the story - she admits to it and wishes she had been different. But there is significantly more swearing than I anticipated, especially coming from a 13-year-old, and that detracted from the beauty of the language that I had been anticipating (and the lyrical language is a part of what makes The Last Unicorn so lovely). I think that's largely what put me off; it didn't seem to be in harmony with the expectations I had developed from The Last Unicorn, which captured an endearing tale in elegant and witty language without ever stooping to any form of crassness.

Overall, while there were aspects of Tamsin that I liked, the excessive swearing really affected my enjoyment of the book and made it feel somewhat at odds with my initial expectations.