- A story about stories and illusion.



Magic and reading have something in common. It’s that thin wedge that question of what is real and what is fantasy. We know that the magician is doing some trick, but we just can’t get it, can’t figure it out. With books, good ones at least, the trick is the writing taking you someplace else. Books aren’t the only thing that can do this – a good movie, painting, music. 
It’s this line between reality and fantasy that Carter explores in this novel about a circus performer who may actually have real wings. At first glance it seems as if Fevvers is the only character with this problem, but every character in the book comes into contact with this question. Even the tigers, which may or may not really be jealous lovers.
In many ways, this is the human condition, the search for ourselves. Is our work face our real face? It might not be the wings that Fevvers has, but the question of reality and fantasy is one we change and fight in some way every day

Appignanesi is a wonderful writer.  I love her Memory Man.  Her Dead of Winter is great.

This book not so much.  The gothic mood is captured very well, but I didn't care what happened to anyone.  It was so much annoying. And too predictable.

I never watched the Sleepy Hollow series.  But this rendition of the famous story is pretty cool.  What I have always loved about this story is the great use of humor.  Irving you wicked man you.  

Nicely spooky and a very nice story in terms of how the ending is handled.  I do wish that the girlfriend had been better drawn as a characters.  She almost comes into her own at the end, but prior to that she comes across as little more than f**k buddy instead of the true love that both partners came.  Though, to be fair, she is far from a bimbo.