Books: The Stolen Child

The Stolen Child by Keith Donohue (2006, Anchor Books). What I expected to enjoy the most about this story of changelings and trading places were the moments that the two main characters paths intersected or felt similar. And while I did find those elements fascinating, particular during the middle of the book, what I enjoyed most was that the tale is told over a large swatch of time. I've never really thought about it before but I tend to really like stories were time is a key element -- Middlesex, The Time Traveler's Wife, The Known World, The Dark Tower series, and so on. That two significant turning points in this story take place a century apart for the protagonist who would become known as Henry Day is right up my alley.

And, although the story is told in alternating perspective for two characters, Henry Day and Aniday, there is only one true lead here and that is Henry. Henry is the changeling as man and his very long con is what propels us forward. Aniday's adaptation to the fanciful world of faeries, or hobgoblins if it suits you, is interesting but, ultimately, a less satisfying journey. A child for the duration, his quest for love and to know himself and the "real world" that he has been denied simply doesn't move me.

But a pretender trying to figure out what it means to be human? What it means to be an artist? What it means to love and care for something other than yourself? I could've gotten with that for another hundred pages at least.

Recommended.