From the acclaimed author of Bearmouth and the illustrator of Julia and the Shark comes a beguiling and quietly powerful novel about memory and the nature of storytelling, as a teenager reconnects with his estranged grandmother through a series of mysterious tales.
Waterstones Says
Both timeless and contemporary, this beautifully crafted story captures the richness of imagination, the depth of emotion, and the complexities of what it means to be human... A book to treasure.
Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear and The Lone Husky
Tender and powerful, this is a hauntingly beautiful ode to the power of imagination.
Anna James, author of Alice with a Why
Astonishing… It has made me fall in love with storytelling all over again. It’s timeless, beautiful, whimsical, full of heart and kindness. This is a book with a SOUL. Tom de Freston’s smudgy tactile illustrations sing and conjure the dreamlike quality of the narrative perfectly.
Caryl Lewis, author of Quill and the Last Generation and The Danger of Small Things
Liz Hyder plays with the soup of fairy tales and comes up with something modern and thrilling… It is a joy, aided and abetted by some wonderful illustrations by Tom de Freston.
Sally Gardner, author of Maggot Moon
Poignant, moving and respectful of the complex challenges faced between parents, grandparents and children, The Teller of Tall Tales is an immersive, emotional rollercoaster of a story. It is in turns joyful, freeing, deeply moving and wildly imaginative.
Sita Brahmachari, author of Artichoke Hearts
A beautifully woven tale, with threads of stories that help to bring understanding of complex family relationships. With Tom de Freston’s artwork, it’s a book to treasure.
Gill Lewis, author of Song of the River
One of the most beautiful books I have ever read. Stunning. Wonderful. An imaginative feast. Funny, magical, inventive, touching, uplifting. I cried through lots of it, in wonder, through connection, at the sheer all-encompassing heart of it.
Eloise Williams, author of The Library of Lost Stories
Brilliantly written, really moving and interspersed with fairytales that could standalone whilst being integral to the story, and with stunning atmospheric illustrations, I loved it. The sort of book that feels like it should be read aloud by a fireplace.
Mike Edwards, author of Riverskin and Voice in the Flames
A beautifully written novel, moving, epic and timeless.
Finbar Hawkins, author of Ghost and Stone
A moving, lovely, beautiful read.
Catherine Johnson, author of Sawbones and Freedom
A beautiful story filled with fairytales just the way your grandmother used to tell them, while reminding us that knowing where you come from is integral to understanding who you are.
Kereen Getten, author of When Life Gives You Mangoes
This rich, moving and cunningly inventive novel explores imagination, storytelling, identity, passion, protest, friendship, family and - perhaps most of all - love. Love for people, and love for a good yarn. And all embellished gorgeously by Tom de Freston's thoughtful, distinctive art.
Darren Simpson, author of Thirst and Lykewise
Liz Hyder is a born storyteller… so no surprise that this new book is reading catnip.
Nicola Davies, author of The Song That Sings Us and Skrimsli
This book is simply astonishing… it’s enthralling and beautiful with so much depth and lore… Tom’s illustrations are stunning.
Eibhlís Carcione, author of Black Gables
