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The Motion of Puppets
A nightmarish fairy tale of transformation, captivity and the dark heart of magic
Brief Description
At the heart of the story is a question both intimate and existential: if your body changes, your voice vanishes, and no one sees you, are you still yourself? Kay's transformation strips her down to the essence of her being, and the only hope of rescue...
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The Motion of Puppets
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In the Old City of Québec, acrobat Kay Harper vanishes after entering a mysterious toy shop. Unbeknownst to her husband Theo, she has been transformed into a puppet, trapped among others who come alive only at night. As Theo searches the streets, Kay must hope he can see through magic and recognise her before it’s too late.
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Description
At the heart of the story is a question both intimate and existential: if your body changes, your voice vanishes, and no one sees you, are you still yourself? Kay's transformation strips her down to the essence of her being, and the only hope of rescue lies in whether someone she loves can still recognise her soul beneath her wooden frame.
The Motion of Puppets reimagines the missing-person narrative through the lens of gothic horror and surreal transformation. Kay's shift from human to puppet is both physically grotesque and psychologically disturbing, exploring themes of bodily autonomy, silence, and captivity.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781835013540
Publisher: Bedford Square Publishers
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 26 March 2026
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Bedford Square Publishers
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 304
About the Author
KEITH DONOHUE is the national bestselling author of the novels The Stolen Child, The Angels of Destruction, Centuries of June, and, most recently, The Boy Who Drew Monsters. He lives in Maryland.
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