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I’m reading “The Children’s Book” by A.S. Byatt.

What a treasure!

This is how I felt when I read certain books as a kid. Enchanted. 

I’ve entered a shimmery world, a world I wish I could read into existence. While not a fairytale, characters seem to exist in glamour, there are dark sinister fairytales within a more tangible story yet it’s full of ambiguity.The adult characters are trying to create a model society (Fabians), some believe in nature, animism, vegetarianism, the old fairy world, artistic expression and maybe free love. Secrets are just beginning to be revealed. The children are encouraged to run free and wild in nature--after their lessons. They're each distinctive, unique and real. There are masses of literary, historical, political and social references. Byatt is brilliant, obviously.

I’m not half-way through yet, but I had to make note of it here and recommend it to anyone remotely interested in these subjects.

I’m about to sink in the couch with it for the next few hours. Bliss.