To be completely honest, I picked up this book because I liked the cover.
I know the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover,” but I admit I can’t help myself sometimes. The blue and pink illustrations on the front intrigued me, and the story intrigued me even more.
The Secret of Nightingale Wood follows a young girl named Henrietta in the year 1919. Like most girls with a name that long and unfashionable, she goes by Henry. After the sudden death of her older brother, she moves to a new home with her parents and little sister (nicknamed “Piglet”) for a fresh start. But everything is not as it seems. While her father travels away for work, a strange doctor constantly invades and forbids Henry to see her ill mother, who he’s locked away in one of the rooms. Prompted by her favorite stories and imaginary characters, Henry tries to figure out the mysteries of the house and Nightingale Wood. A supposed witch named Moth, a suspicious figure Henry refers to as “The Limping Man,” locked doors, an insane asylum, and the love of stories are all part of this fascinating little book by Lucy Strange.
The story’s plot reminds me of Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, but it carries all the charm of classic middle-grade children’s books. Stories such as The Secret Garden, The Jungle Book, A Little Princess, Alice in Wonderland, and Little Women play a direct role in Henry’s life and the choices she makes. The book contains many clichés, but in some ways, this enhances the charm and feel of the story.
At the story’s core, it demonstrates powerful themes of grief and hope. The death of Henry’s older brother affects the characters the most. The family members find themselves isolated from each other and forced to deal with their grief alone. At the end of the book, the theme narrows down to two characters, Moth and Henry’s mother, and the impact that losing a child can have. But, ultimately, hope shines though like the sweet song of a nightingale in a silent wood. Although the story isn’t Christian, readers will be reminded of Christ and where their hope and joy lies.
I don’t regret judging a book by its cover this time. This middle-grade story was a delight, and shouldn’t be limited only to readers in that age group. People who aspire to write stories for children should take note of this quote by C.S Lewis: “A children’s story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children’s story in the slightest.” I believe Lucy Strange’s first book, The Secret of Nightingale Wood, is one that writers can look to as an example of a well-done children’s novel, for all ages will love this story. I hope Strange continues to write books, because I certainly want to read more.