Tamsin is a young adult fantasy novel that takes us on a nocturnal stroll accompanied by cats, ghosts, and beings from British mythology. It is told in the first person by Jenny, who at 19 decides to write a book about what happened to her some time ago when she discovered a hidden world in the darkness. She writes this book because she doesn't want to forget.

The truth is that the beginning can be a bit slow and different from what is expected, as it focuses on introducing us to Jenny, her reasons for writing, and her journey from the big city of New York to the small Dorset in England. In this stage, Jenny describes herself as an asocial, complex teenager who has trouble making friends, and a bit rebellious and angry. But she does it with such sincerity and sense of humor that I couldn't help but understand her deeply. Throughout the reading, we will see how she matures and how her character improves and she finds herself: Tamsin is a novel of growth and discovery.

Although there are several characters in the novel, the other great protagonist of the story (with Tamsin's permission, of course) is Mr. Cat, Jenny's cat: an extremely elegant and pompous feline. Mr. Cat reminds us that his congeners see the world in a way that we can hardly imagine. Although my favorite character has been the Pooka, a mysterious and traitorous being who, however, when we have nothing left to hold on to, will be there to help us... or to throw us into a swamp: with the Pooka, you never know.

When Jenny arrives at the Dorset farm, there are certain things that don't work, and it seems that we are in front of an enchanted house: the tools disappear, the electricity is not welcome... Is it really an enchanted house? And so, after that somewhat slow beginning, we gradually enter an ancient and almost forgotten world in which invisible beings, fairies, and spirits have their kingdom. Until finally Tamsin appears, a girl who lived on the farm 300 years ago, whose ghost remains attached to the place for unknown reasons even to herself. Tamsin will be very important for Jenny, who will throw herself into helping her move on to where she should be, and it will be in this purpose that she will mature and improve her character.

As for Beagle's style, it is the one that I like so much about the author: simple but full of lyricism, very similar to that of. A reading that I definitely recommend to those who like fantasy, mythology, or... cats.

What a perfect book!

This is the story that The Ocean at the End of the Lane wanted to be.

Neil Gaiman has crafted a truly enchanting and thought-provoking tale. The story takes readers on a journey through a world that is both familiar and filled with magic and mystery.

The characters are vividly drawn, and the setting is so beautifully described that it comes alive in the reader's mind.

As the protagonist navigates through the strange and wonderful events that unfold, we are left with a sense of wonder and a deeper understanding of the human condition.

This book is a must-read for anyone who loves a good story that will transport them to another world and leave them with a lasting impression.

I'm giving this a rather high rating. There are indeed numerous aspects about it that I objectively liked. In fact, I don't really have any specific complaints. However, I did find myself getting a bit tired part way through. It took me an incredibly long time to finish it. When it comes to Beagle's books, this one isn't quite on the same level as The Last Unicorn. But still, I liked it better than either Summerlong or The Overneath.

The story had its own charm and unique elements that kept me engaged to a certain extent. The characters were well-developed and had their own personalities. The world-building was also quite interesting, although perhaps not as detailed as in some of his other works.

Overall, while it may not be a perfect masterpiece like The Last Unicorn, it still has enough to offer to make it an enjoyable read. I would recommend it to fans of Beagle's work or those who are looking for a somewhat different kind of fantasy novel.

Man, Tamsin is truly a moody little book. It took me quite some time to develop an appreciation for it. To be honest, the initial setup requires a significant amount of time, and as a result, the first third of the book progresses rather slowly. Ordinarily, I would consider this a drawback. However, in this case, I believe the pacing meshed well with the overall atmosphere.

This is a spooky ghost story that is set in a dilapidated estate in England. It is suitable for middle schoolers, featuring a teen protagonist. It leans more towards creating a sense of foreboding rather than delivering actual scares. I found the setting, the moodiness, and the presence of the cats quite appealing.

Here's a strange thing: the writing gave me a very dated impression. So much so that I was quite surprised to discover later that Tamsin was published in 1999. It felt, I don't know, maybe like the late '70s or early '80s. But it's not in a negative sense. It just has a certain charm and a throwback quality that added to the unique flavor of the book.

This is for me one of the rare books where everything is right.

It is a wonderful, atmospheric story with believable characters between reality and... another reality.

With a lot of respect for old stories and (but-)beliefs.

Told at the perfect pace, formulated to the point.

With an individual narrator who brings in another level through the retrospective narration.

And how can it be that Beagle can empathize so well with a thirteen-year-old girl?

This book truly stands out. It weaves a captivating tale that draws the reader in and keeps them engaged from start to finish. The blend of different realities adds an element of mystery and intrigue, making it a truly unique reading experience. The characters are well-developed and feel real, as if they could step out of the pages. The author's respect for old stories and beliefs shines through, adding depth and authenticity to the narrative. The pacing is excellent, never too slow or too fast, and the concise formulation makes the story easy to follow. Overall, this is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great read.

I have an even deeper affection for Mr. Beagle after reading this book.

It truly stands out as the most remarkable thing I've come across in the entire year.

The story within its pages has captivated my heart and imagination.

Mr. Beagle's adventures and the lessons he learns along the way are both entertaining and inspiring.

Each turn of the page brings new excitement and a greater understanding of his character.

I find myself constantly thinking about the book and the wonderful world it has created.

It has become a source of joy and inspiration for me, and I can't wait to share it with others.

Overall, this book has had a profound impact on me and has solidified my love for Mr. Beagle.

I am one of those readers who was first introduced to Peter S. Beagle due to his introduction to the Lord of the Rings.

Subsequently, I sought out and read "The Last Unicorn". I thought it was just okay, but it seemed too insincere for my personal tastes. After that, I mostly forgot about Beagle.

However, this particular book caught my eye in a used book store in Colorado Springs. I bought it on a whim, having never heard of the title before.

It's a fantasy/ghost story that incorporates elements that feel like old folklore from the British Isles. I really enjoyed the book quite a bit.

Though, there is some mention of teen drug use early in the book as well as some brief strong language. Also, I get the sense that Beagle isn't overly fond of Christianity.

There is no consistent anti-Christian theme in the book, but at one point it is explained that the evil bad guy in the book is so terrifying because of his belief in the existence of Hell and God, and how this leads to his evil fanaticism.

This aspect did make me think about the role of religious beliefs in shaping a person's character and actions.

Overall, despite these few caveats, I found the book to be an engaging and interesting read.

I had only previously read one book by Peter S. Beagle, namely The Last Unicorn from 1968, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. A friend recommended another, A Fine and Private Place (1960), and although I now have it on my bookshelves, I instead chose to try another, Tamsin, originally published in 1999.

This was an outstanding fantasy story, filled with richness, intrigue, and a cast of fascinating characters, both human and ghostly (and others). Jenny lives with her mother Sally in New York. She is relatively content with her life, having good friends and getting to see her itinerant father when he's in town. However, Sally has fallen in love with an Englishman, Evan, and they are moving back to England. Jenny is extremely unhappy about this and decides either to stay with her father in New York (which isn't going to work) or make sure her mother is miserable for forcing her out of her comfort zone.

So, taking along her pet, Mr. Cat (who will be in quarantine for six months), Jenny, Sally, and Evan pack up and move to England. The initial plan was to live with Evan's sons, Julian and Tony, in London. But the plans change when Evan, an agriculturalist, is offered a job and an estate in Dorset. When they arrive, they see a dilapidated estate that needs to be essentially rebuilt and a farm that will require major work to survive.

This is where Jenny's life in Dorset begins. She gets established in a new school (where she will make a great friend in Meena) and tries to get used to the quirks of Dorset and her new home. She also discovers that Dorset is teeming with supernatural beings, such as the Pooka (a sort of goblin), the Oakmen (who haunt the oak forest), the Black Dog (who watches over and provides warnings), and more. Oh, and the Wild Hunt makes appearances. Of particular interest to Jenny is Tamsin Willoughby, the spirit of a young girl who died on the estate (it was her family's estate) and with whom Jenny becomes very close.

There is a mystery surrounding Tamsin, and Jenny will be called upon to help solve it and try to save Tamsin. This is the heart of the story, and Beagle weaves his way through the beginning, slowly and carefully, until it builds to a thrilling climax: a battle for Tamsin's spirit against an evil that is truly terrifying. It's a rich, well-crafted tale. The characters are all interesting, even those in minor roles. And there are some nice surprises along the way. It's also a coming-of-age story for Jenny, which is handled with care. I didn't mind taking my time with this book at all. It was easy to put down but also easy to pick up and get back into Jenny's life and her story with Tamsin. Excellent. I just loved it. (4.5 stars)

Possibly my favorite ghost story. :) This story has always held a special place in my heart. It begins on a dark and stormy night. A young couple decides to take a detour on their way home. They find themselves on an old, abandoned road. As they drive, they notice a strange figure up ahead. It seems to be a woman, dressed in a long white gown. The couple slows down, but as they get closer, the figure disappears.

They continue driving, but soon they realize that they are lost. They come across an old, dilapidated house. The lights are on, and they decide to stop and ask for directions. As they approach the house, they hear strange noises coming from inside. They knock on the door, but there is no answer. They push the door open and step inside.

The house is filled with dust and cobwebs. There is a strange smell in the air. They call out, but there is still no answer. They begin to explore the house, and as they do, they discover a hidden room. Inside the room, they find a mirror. As they look into the mirror, they see the reflection of the woman in the white gown. She is staring at them, and her eyes are filled with hatred. The couple turns around, but the woman is gone. They quickly leave the house and never return.

Enjoyable story

This story truly held my attention from start to finish. It was a rather light and easy read, which made it all the more enjoyable. I could really identify with Jenny, the protagonist. As an angsty teenager myself, I could understand her feelings and actions. And seeing her future self look back on how awful she could be added an interesting layer to the story. I think this aspect really helped make her a great protagonist in my eyes. However, I did feel that after the halfway point, the story started to feel a little dragged out. I was eager for Beagle to get to the point and reveal more of the secrets quicker. There were some parts that I didn't feel added much to the overall story. But despite this, I still wanted to finish the book. Overall, it was an enjoyable read that I would recommend to others.

I have an intense and unwavering love for Mister Cat!!

I truly adored the protagonist's "voice." It stands as one of the most remarkable applications of the memoir style that I have ever come across. Telling a story after it has already occurred, it offers a unique perspective. What I particularly relished was its unwavering honesty and self-awareness. For instance, there are numerous instances where 19-year-old Jenny (the protagonist) flinches and feels embarrassed or ashamed of the behavior of her 13 - 15-year-old self (the age during which the events of the story unfold). It felt incredibly authentic and highly relatable.

One aspect that I did not anticipate and yet was extremely delighted by was the incredibly powerful sense of the divine feminine and female agency. The women not only save the day but also save themselves. Even Tamsin, who commences the book with no agency whatsoever, by the end has reclaimed her own life (or rather, unlife?) and fate. The utilization of folklore and the supernatural was astonishingly interesting. The novel also manages to be genuinely creepy and scary in certain parts, evoking a sense of creeping dread.

Although I have never read The Last Unicorn, I was glad to learn that Tamsin is one of Beagle's favorite books of his own and that he often simply picks it up to read specific passages that he holds in high regard.