The White Hare: A West Country Coming-of-Age Mystery

by Michael Fishwick

Overview

A beautifully written coming-of-age novel nominated for the 2017 CILIP Carnegie Prize from an acclaimed literary voice.

A lost boy. A dead girl, and one who is left behind.
A village full of whispers and secrets.

When the white hare appears, magical and fleet in the silvery moonlight, she leads them all into a legend, a chase. But who is the hunter and who the hunted?

'There's magic in Michael Fishwick's The White Hare, a haunting story of a troubled London teenager [and] a tender reflection on father-son relationships' EVENING STANDARD.

'Finely tuned prose, a rich sense of place, magical folklore elements, multi-dimensional characters, and a well-paced plot create a suspenseful contemporary tale of grief, retribution, and healing' KIRKUS, Starred Review.

'Myth, mystery, love and loss collide in an utterly gripping, deeply atmospheric, coming-of-age novel' THE BOOKSELLER.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781786690517
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	04/01/2018
Pages:	248
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.30(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	12 - 18 Years

About the Author

Michael Fishwick is a publisher and novelist. He has written two other acclaimed novels, Smashing People and Sacrifices.
Michael Fishwick is a publisher and novelist. He has written two other acclaimed novels, Smashing People and Sacrifices.

Editorial Reviews

There's magic in Michael Fishwick's The White Hare, a haunting story of a troubled London teenager [and] a tender reflection on father-son relationships” —Evening Standard

“Finely tuned prose, a rich sense of place, magical folklore elements, multi-dimensional characters, and a well-paced plot create a suspenseful contemporary tale of grief, retribution, and healing” —Kirkus Reviews

“Myth, mystery, love and loss collide in an utterly gripping, deeply atmospheric, coming-of-age novel” —Fiona Noble, The Bookseller

“This is the best sort of magical realism” —The Spectator

“Beautifully written, with lyrical evocations of the rural setting and a tense playing out of a myth that seems all too real, this is an all too believable blend of magic and realism. The striking cover and delicate line drawings which pepper the pages make it a lovely object as well as a gripping read” —School Librarian

“The launch title for Head of Zeus's new children's imprint, Zephyr, and it sets the bar very high... Fishwick's depiction of place and landscape as well as his creation of the atmosphere and mythology of the novel is excellent... it is exactly the sort of book that deserves to figure in the reading lives of young people'” —Nudge Book

“It's got a clarity about what it evokes, and a sterling mood to its pages. It could do very well indeed for this new imprint” —The Bookbag

“A magical and thoughtful tale about the place where old and new communities meet, this is also a sensitive, well-told story about the rifts that occur in families and friendships, and how they can be healed. Fishwick's writing is fine and stylish and never loses the grip of a slowly building, powerful story” —Booktrust

“Fishwick's sense of wonder (childlike but never childish), expertly paced plot and relatable characters make it a highly original and deeply moving read” —The Lady.

“Handsomely produced, with delicate line drawings, this is a skilfully told and original novel” —The Tablet.

“Alongside the magic and the fables, there are some difficult and bang up-to-date modern themes running through this book, and the author has combined the two very well. His attention to detail, his description of the countryside and his well-rounded and realistic characters work so well together to create an enjoyable and quite different story for children and young adults... Fishwick has a rich imagination and is a skilled writer. The White Hare is thought-provoking and a pleasure to read'” —Random Things Through My Letterbox

“One of the best books I've read this year. I loved the book so much because it drew me in instantly... Without a shadow of a doubt 5/5 rating. Go buy the book now!'” —Dylan Christie, 12, Zephyr Review Crew

“Both the reader and story are richly imbued with the essence of the countryside and nature... A great look at a teenager finding his place in a new world'” —Sherborne Times

“Gripping... a modern day fairy tale'” —Books Books Books

“A wonderfully atmospheric novel. It's a real achievement to combine a family drama about grief, family and friends with a central mystery which has a dangerous edge to it, all magically bound up in nature and legend, but Fishwick has done it with consummate skill. This novel should delight the 12+ audiences of its primary target, but it also entranced me (9/10)” —AnnaBookbel

“If you like your stories lilting and poetic do give this one a read” —Books, Occupation… Magic!

“The further along I got the more the suspense built up and more than once I felt a chill run down my spine” —Typewritered

“A gripping novel of rural intrigue, loss and awakening” —BBC Countryfile

“A stunning coming of age tale interwoven with folklore, mysticism and villainy at the village fete” —Lounge Books

“His tense relationship with Sheila, the new woman, and her daughters, shows Fishwick to be a keen observer of blended-family life, particularly in Robbie's relationship with his stepsisters, which is edged with resentment and rivalry but also affection and friendship” —Evening Standard

From the Publisher

02/01/2018
Gr 7–10—After Robbie's mom dies, his dad remarries, and they move to an English county village. His new friend Mags is gifted with second sight; she can see a magical white hare. The hare is Mags's friend, Fran, who committed suicide after her romantic relationship with Tommy ended. Fran has returned as the hare, seeking revenge against Tommy. Eventually, Robbie can see the hare, too. It leads him on a path enmeshed in legend, mystery, and village secrets which effectively create an unsettling atmosphere. Alice, another of Robbie's new friends, is one of three black students in the school. She becomes the target of bullies because of her race, and Robbie comes to her rescue. Ultimately, this is a story about the brutality of love lost, repentance, and vengeance. Almost every character experiences heartbreak through death, divorce, or a breakup. Robbie's response to losing his mother is well developed, but this is not the case for secondary characters. This lack of emotional intimacy fails to tug at the heart strings and build a connection to the characters. American readers unfamiliar with the legend (that is never fully explained) and Briticisms, coupled with a sometimes jolting writing style and underdeveloped motives of some secondary characters, creates confusion and disrupts the flow of the story. Because teens will not find a satisfying explanation of the legend, it may prevent them from full engagement. VERDICT An additional selection for tenacious readers only.—Stefanie Hughes, Mt. Pleasant, TX

School Library Journal

★ 2018-01-22
Longing to escape his unhappy home life, a troubled English teen becomes dangerously involved in a local legend about a mysterious white hare.Since his mother's death, 14-year-old Robbie has expressed his anger and grief by setting fires, resulting in an arson conviction. Hoping for a fresh start, his family relocates to a village in rural Somerset. Alienated from his father and father's girlfriend, Robbie spends his time outdoors with Mags, an enigmatic local girl. She tells him of the local legend that a woman jilted in love can return in the shape of a white hare, bringing death to her former lover. Still mourning his mother's death and full of rage toward his father, Robbie is haunted by images of the white hare as well as a deceased friend of Mags'. Why did the girl kill herself? What was her connection to two local bullies? Why is Mags so protective of the white hare? Grappling with these secrets, Robbie discovers he may be the quarry in a legendary hunt for the white hare. Spot art evokes the pastoral setting. All characters are white apart from three black students, one of whom is a friend of Robbie's.Finely tuned prose, a rich sense of place, magical folklore elements, multidimensional characters, and a well-paced plot create a suspenseful contemporary tale of grief, retribution, and healing. (Fiction. 12-14)

Kirkus Reviews