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The Beginning of the World in the Middle of the Night

an enchanting collection of modern fairy tales
3.69 goodreads logo

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( 3,485 ratings, 679 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Beginning of the World in the Middle of the Night is a collection of twelve haunting stories that blend modern fairy tales with magic, outsiders and lost souls. From spirits in jam jars to mermaids on display at a local aquarium, each tale explores extraordinary, often enigmatic moments: a girl running a coffin hotel on a remote island, a boy fearing his sister has two souls, and a couple rewriting the history of the world. These luminous narratives offer an entrancing glimpse into the human impulse to explain the unexplainable through storytelling.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for readers who enjoy historical fiction infused with magical realism and modern fairy tales. Fans of atmospheric storytelling and evocative prose will find this collection particularly captivating.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Modern fairy tales of magic, outsiders and lost souls from bestselling author and acclaimed book vlogger Jen Campbell.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

WHAT A BOOK. IT'S SO STRANGE AND MAGICAL AND THE WRITING IS JUST BEAUTIFUL. I LOVED IT. - Louise O'Neill

ENCHANTING AND ILLUMINATING - Carys Bray, author of A Song For Issy Bradley

LIKE WALKING THROUGH A MIRROR. - Rachel Joyce, author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

THIS BOOK IS FULL OF CHARACTER AND MAGIC, AND I FOUND MYSELF MESMERISED - Claire Fuller, author of Our Endless Numbered Days

THESE STORIES ARE WEAVED TOGETHER LIKE SILVERY FISHING NETS. LIKE SHIMMERING, JEWEL-BRIGHT WORLDS - Helen McClory

These days, you can find anything you need at the click of a button.

That's why I bought her heart online.

Spirits in jam jars, mini-apocalypses, animal hearts and side shows.

A girl runs a coffin hotel on a remote island.

A boy is worried his sister has two souls.

A couple are rewriting the history of the world.

And mermaids are on display at the local aquarium.

The Beginning of the World in the Middle of the Night is a collection of twelve haunting stories; modern fairy tales brimming with magic, outsiders and lost souls.

I'm fascinated by storytelling, and particularly fairy tales. How humans have always tried to explain things that they can't possibly understand with, sometimes outrageous, stories - Jen Campbell

From the author of the Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops series and The Bookshop Book.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Enchanting and whimsical, curiously beautiful and illuminating – Carys Bray, bestselling author of A Song for Issy Bradley

This book is full of character and magic, and I found myself mesmerised – Claire Fuller, bestselling author of Our Endless Numbered Days

These stories are weaved together like silvery fishing nets, like shimmering, jewel-bright worlds – Helen McClory

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781473653559

Publisher: John Murray Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 12 July 2018

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: John Murray Publishers Ltd

Illustration: B&W

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 10.0mm

Width: 120.0mm

Height: 190.0mm

Weight: 160g

Pages: 224

About the Author

JEN CAMPBELL is an award-winning poet and short story writer. Her debut short story collection, The Beginning of the World in the Middle of the Night, is published by Two Roads and her children's picture book series about a book-loving dragon called Franklin is published by Thames & Hudson. She is also the Sunday Times bestselling author of the Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops series and The Bookshop Book. She received an Eric Gregory Award, was awarded the Jane Martin Poetry Prize, and her poetry collection The Girl Aquarium is forthcoming from Bloodaxe.

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