Charlie MackesyRecensioner

Fans of SNL from years past may remember the sketch Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey. That reminds me of this...which is essentially a string of bland, therapy-speak affirmations atrung together. There's no plot and no point. Boring, trite, banal. No idea who this book was written for, but it's clearly not for me. I love children's lit, but there's far better and more interesting stuff out there.½

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse is a cute little illustrated story following a boy, a mole, a fox, and a horse as they meet and share life advice with one another. There is no clear plot line, nor do you learn much about any of the characters.

It is quite a cute story, with beautiful illustrations. The life advice shared is more on the cliché end - things you would hear as more general advice. Additionally, the text is incredibly difficult to read due to it being in a handwritten font; I had to spend more time figuring out what some of the words were than actually reading the book.

I really enjoyed this one.
Such lovely nuggets of wisdom hide within and it’s in a fun and simple communication that a child will understand.

Egyetemes, szívmelengető mese, ami egyaránt szól idősekhez és fiatalokhoz.

Egy kíváncsi kisfiú, egy mohó, élettel teli vakond, egy nehézségektől megviselt róka és egy bölcs, szelíd ló barátsága.
Ők négyen felfedezik a nagyvilágot.
Kérdéseket tesznek fel egymásnak.
Viharokat élnek át együtt.
Megtanulnak szeretni.

Ez a könyv óda az ártatlansághoz és a kedvességhez, olyan élettanulságok gyűjteménye, ami már milliók szívét érintette meg.

I'm a primary school teacher. This year our school decided that we were going to use this book for world book day as a common theme for each class' work, which was how I came to read it. I'd heard about it previously of course - who hadn't after Christmas 2019 (Waterstones Book of the year, popular stocking filler/go to gift etc.) and had even thought about buying it if a second hand one came about.

I've now read it.

I don't get it.

I don't necessarily mean that I don't understand why people love the book, but more so why people can't see it for what it is - a (in my opinion) publisher influenced money spinning collection of fragmentary and incomplete, tenuously linked platitudes which would be more at home on little pieces of paper stuffed in fortune cookies than on the pages of a national book award winner marketed somewhat as a book for children! (Why children? Children are not in need of mawkish platitudes played on heartstrings of mistakes, regrets and sentimentality)

The mystery continued and became rather more complicated however, when I downloaded the audiobook version. I began to notice that Charlie Mackesey's reading (which was well done, he has a very engaging voice by the way) contained a considerably more rounded story. By all accounts, he had used the instagram snapshots which made his book so widely loved, and filled out the twee philosophical musings of a boy and three animals into a coherent and - get this - enjoyable story!

So I ask you.

WHY WASN'T THIS THE BLOOMIN' BOOK VERSION TOO?!?!

It was infinitely better, infinitely more accomplished and everything the book should have been.

Which leads me to this dual frustration.

1. Why is the audiobook, which is so much better, not the book?

2. Why don't/can't people discern that the actual book is severely lacking 'stuff'.

I mean, it's so obvious isn't it? Is it an 'ignorance is bliss' scenario? - that without hearing the better version the existing one maintains some sort of illusory greatness? Yet to me, the book was so evidently weak, how could this be true?

I don't know. I feel like the guy who is well aware that the proverbial emperor's marching about in his underpants.

Suffice to say, all the school loved it, as did the children. Ultimately, I am not one to ignore the greater value held in inspiring young readers to love books and any book that does so is incredibly valuable. So, take my criticism with a pinch of salt, I'll just avert my eyes!

p.s. My ire isn't toward Charlie Mackesy since he's respectfully made accomplished segements/pages of art (not to mention a commendable audiobook story - ha!) He seems like a good guy. My ire is rather aimed at the publishing world and how they and the reading public create a reading climate that heralds such works. Let's have higher expectations, greater discernment and, as a result, a greater quality of book winning national awards.

I am in love with this book. I want everyone I know and don't know to read it

Can be enjoyed all in one go, or just a bit at a time. Like cake.

¨If at first you don´t suceed, have some cake.¨

This was a sweet little book. Many people are saying much of it is cliches- but personally I didn´t care. The illustrations were beautiful and though there really wasn't a story, I enjoyed the inspirational quotes.

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse is a touching narrative that unfolds as a young boy embarks on a journey in search of home. Along the way, he forms unlikely bonds with a brave and friendly mole, a hungry and ill-tempered fox, and a wise horse, creating a tale that is as enchanting as it is profound.

This book, which also doubles as a short film, is a true gem that resonates with themes of hope and optimism. It weaves a beautiful story that transcends age, captivating both young and old readers alike. The charm of this narrative lies in its universal appeal. There is genuinely something for everyone to learn from its pages.

The relevance of the story offers valuable insights and life lessons that are applicable to a broad audience. Whether you're a child captivated by the whimsical characters or an adult seeking a reminder of life's simple yet profound truths, this book delivers a message that is both timeless and universal.

The narrative unfolds as good fun and adventure, making it a delightful read. The heartwarming moments scattered throughout the pages are enough to bring a smile to anyone's face. The story, in its simplicity, carries a depth that is beautifully moving and sweet, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

In summary, "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse" is not just a book; it's a journey of emotions, a celebration of friendship, and a testament to the power of hope. Its universal themes and enchanting characters make it a must-read for those who appreciate stories that are not only entertaining but also carry a deep message about life.½

Brilliant lessons for life, love and everything else. The music in the audiobook compliments the story beautifully. Lessons include kindness to yourself and others as well as asking for help when you need it. Despite being small one can make a huge difference. Being successful means to love. If at first you don't succeed have some cake! The biggest waste of time is comparing yourself to others. Listen less to your fears and more to your dreams. Realizing that one of our greatest freedoms is how we react to things. Ponders the question that it is odd that we only see the outsides of people and yet some much is going on, on the insides. Being kind to yourself is one of the greatest kindnesses. Doing nothing with friends or those you love is never doing nothing. Everyone is a bit scared but we're less scared together. Tears fall for a reason and they're your strength not weakness. Asking for help isn't giving up its refusing to give up. You are at your strongest when you've dared to show your weakness. Love doesn't need you to be extraordinary. Sometimes just getting up and carrying on is brave and magnificent. The greatest illusion is that life should be perfect. Being honest is always interesting. While you may have a long way to go, don't forget to appreciate how far you have come . Our purpose in life is to love and be loved. When we are sad we should surround ourselves with friends, shared tears and time until we awake hopeful and happy again. Don't measure how valuable you are by how you are treated always remember you matter, you are important and you are loved and you bring to the world things no one else can. Home isn't always a place. Sometimes all you hear about is the hate but there is more love in the world than we can possibly imagine. Was so nice I read it twice. Will look for the book to see the illustrations.

Beautiful illustrations and beautiful words.

beautiful story and illustrations

Fantastisch mooi boek: tekst, lettertype, tekeningen,....

A beautiful read. It might be hard to read due to the how the words are written, but it's still a beautiful inspiring book.

Sweet and contemplative drawings. The kind of book that can go either way depending on your thoughts and mood. I took it as sweet.

This book was a lovely collection of illustrations and positive thoughts. I love Mole's obsession with cake, so cute.

“This is a book for everyone, eighty or eight-”

I agree wholeheartedly!

Reading “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” written and beautifully illustrated by Charlie Mackesy is a moving, inspiring and comforting experience . Expressed through short and sweet conversations between four unlikely friends - the boy, the mole, the fox and the horse, the author touches upon themes of kindness, friendship, self–acceptance and life in general. The handwritten and hand-illustrated format gives this book a personal and intimate feel reminiscent of some of the fables and stories we read as children (and still love and enjoy!). This is a very short read and I reread this book a few times before I finally put it down.

After reading and rereading the book, I took the time to listen to the audiobook and I am so happy that I did! Even if you are not a fan of audiobooks, I would suggest pairing your reading with the audio narration. The author’s narration is calm, soothing and simply brilliant. With the backdrop of soulful music and real wildlife sounds, this was a magical immersive experience I shall definitely revisit.

Simply put, this is a special book that you would want to share with your near and dear ones. I certainly will!

Desenhos muito bonitos. Acredito que a experiência de quem tem o livro fica muito mais interessante se o leitor decide abrir o livro em uma página aleatória a cada dia que passa, já que o livro não tem uma história presa a ele, dando essa liberdade ao leitor. Acredito ser mais proveitoso assim, mas mesmo assim meio que gostei, só achei que teria mais conteúdo e que não fosse um livro com uma ilustração em uma página e uma frase simples na outra.

Charlie Macksey's 2009 children's book which became something of a social media hit was painstakingly made into a beautiful animated short film. As Macksey's says in his introduction 'this is the book of the film we made' So the differences between the original story and the film are reflected here - the story is given more of a structure and Macksey's deceptively simply drawings are replaced by the animated images seen on screen. Which is better? As an adult I would say read the original and watch the film. But I imagine children who come to the story via the animated film will love this full-colour retelling.½

I enjoyed the audioversion of the book as much as the paper version. It is so relaxing and I really get in an almost Zen mood when I listen to this book. Especially when it is a rainy day and I have a wonderful cup of tea with some chocolate, this is heaven.

Wat een mooi boek! En inderdaad, zoals de schrijver zegt, je kunt overal beginnen. Echt een boek om af en toe ter hand te nemen en even in te bladeren. Speciaal geschikt voor als je je verdrietig, alleen, gelukkig, blij of wat dan ook voelt. Een boek dat je elk moment kunt gebruiken. Ik ben er nu al helemaal blij mee. Het heeft wat weg van Winnie the Pooh, maar dan met minder verhaal. Het is gewoon mooi en heeft een mooie boodschap te vertellen. Aanrader!

This book was a give to me as a gift from a student at the end of the school year, and oh what a gift indeed! This is a beautiful and simple story of a boy, who meets a mole, then a fox, and later a horse. The story follows them spending time together in the countryside, talking about life and philosophy. The story is very simple, but therein lies its beauty. The illustrations are reminiscent of watercolors or rough sketches, which suits the philosophical nature of the text. The illustrations also help to add depth and emotion to the characters. The book explores themes of friendship, vulnerability, and the beauty of embracing one's true self. This delightful little collection is a reminder that sometimes the simplest of stories can have the biggest impact.

Beautiful art and beautiful quotes, but I wish it had more of a narrative. There is a story but it jumps around a lot.

Very simplistic, with little heart. One aphorism after another with minimal story development to support them. Weak!

Just what I needed coming out of life changes that left me feeling like a stranger, an imposter in everything. Uplifting, full of hard truths, and gently kind.