The Mennyms, # 1 by Sylvia Waugh
'The Mennyms' is an unassuming story, but without quite knowing why or how, it latches into you and you can't let it go.
The Mennyms themselves are life size rag dolls created by 'Aunt Kate' and left in her house in England. After her death they came alive, implanted with the characters and memories and knowledge that Aunt Kate had dreamed up for them while sewing them together. Through some cleverness, they arranged with Aunt Kate's nephew in Australia to rent the house and set about making a living. Being rag-dolls they can't be seen by outsiders except in dim light or with careful subterfuge, but they have made it work for 40 years.
Then a letter arrives: the property has come into new hands and the new owner wants to come from Australia and visit the Mennyms, his valued tenants. Their carefully ordered life of pretend is upended in their scurry to prepare for the visitor.
Its a straight-forward plot, but the individual characters of the Mennyms make the story into one about family rather than fantasy. Its a sweet, surprising book and I hope to read the rest of the series someday.
The Mennyms themselves are life size rag dolls created by 'Aunt Kate' and left in her house in England. After her death they came alive, implanted with the characters and memories and knowledge that Aunt Kate had dreamed up for them while sewing them together. Through some cleverness, they arranged with Aunt Kate's nephew in Australia to rent the house and set about making a living. Being rag-dolls they can't be seen by outsiders except in dim light or with careful subterfuge, but they have made it work for 40 years.
Then a letter arrives: the property has come into new hands and the new owner wants to come from Australia and visit the Mennyms, his valued tenants. Their carefully ordered life of pretend is upended in their scurry to prepare for the visitor.
Its a straight-forward plot, but the individual characters of the Mennyms make the story into one about family rather than fantasy. Its a sweet, surprising book and I hope to read the rest of the series someday.
