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The Puppet Theatre
This is a book about the struggle to find one’s own voice in a world of confusing choices.
Eighteen-year-old Matthew Curtis is bored by his life of competitive over-achievement. During the May half-term before A-Levels he is wandering round the mediaeval fair in Rhodes with his young half-brother, Toby, when they come across a puppet show and meet the lively Turner family who run it. Learning that the Puppet Theatre is based not far from his home town of Oxford, Matthew returns to England determined to make contact with them again. But when he arrives at the theatre in Stratford, he finds an addition to the family group: a surly-looking youth called Yianni, whom the generous Turners have rescued from utter desperation and brought back with them from Rhodes. While Matthew helps out at the Puppet Theatre, first by updating the website, then as a musician and practising puppeteer, tensions simmer between the two very different young men, particularly during the summer canal boat tour when Matthew realises that seventeen-year-old Penny Turner is falling in love with Yianni. Matthew, Penny and Yianni all face choices which impact on each other and on their families. Will Matthew reject his offer to read Mathematics at Cambridge in favour of joining the Puppet Theatre as an apprentice? Can anything draw Penny back from London, where she is waitressing at a friend’s restaurant and rapidly developing a taste for clothes shopping and late-night partying? And when the inevitable punch-up occurs between Matthew and Yianni, how can they resolve their differences and work towards more productive relations in the future?
Eighteen-year-old Matthew Curtis is bored by his life of competitive over-achievement. During the May half-term before A-Levels he is wandering round the mediaeval fair in Rhodes with his young half-brother, Toby, when they come across a puppet show and meet the lively Turner family who run it. Learning that the Puppet Theatre is based not far from his home town of Oxford, Matthew returns to England determined to make contact with them again. But when he arrives at the theatre in Stratford, he finds an addition to the family group: a surly-looking youth called Yianni, whom the generous Turners have rescued from utter desperation and brought back with them from Rhodes. While Matthew helps out at the Puppet Theatre, first by updating the website, then as a musician and practising puppeteer, tensions simmer between the two very different young men, particularly during the summer canal boat tour when Matthew realises that seventeen-year-old Penny Turner is falling in love with Yianni. Matthew, Penny and Yianni all face choices which impact on each other and on their families. Will Matthew reject his offer to read Mathematics at Cambridge in favour of joining the Puppet Theatre as an apprentice? Can anything draw Penny back from London, where she is waitressing at a friend’s restaurant and rapidly developing a taste for clothes shopping and late-night partying? And when the inevitable punch-up occurs between Matthew and Yianni, how can they resolve their differences and work towards more productive relations in the future?
259 pages, Paperback
First published June 28, 2014
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313 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 6, 2015
I received this book for free via Goodreads First Reads.
I should know by now to never to judge a book by its cover. The cover of this is dark stage curtains which could be construed as blood and I almost expected it to be a gory story.
This is as far from the truth as possible. What I read was a story about a family of puppeteers and the people they meet and accept. The characters are all well rounded. well written and believable. The plot is good, it keeps a reader interested and there is also a message of acceptance throughout.
A puppet show is a form of 'magic' to the audience that takes a lot of effort behind the scenes and I think the author took the same effort in writing the book. I really did love this book from beginning to end. I would love to read a sequel to it and I hope the positive reviews the book deserves will help that happen.
I recommend this book should be read by any reader from the ages of 13 to 113. It really is that good!
I should know by now to never to judge a book by its cover. The cover of this is dark stage curtains which could be construed as blood and I almost expected it to be a gory story.
This is as far from the truth as possible. What I read was a story about a family of puppeteers and the people they meet and accept. The characters are all well rounded. well written and believable. The plot is good, it keeps a reader interested and there is also a message of acceptance throughout.
A puppet show is a form of 'magic' to the audience that takes a lot of effort behind the scenes and I think the author took the same effort in writing the book. I really did love this book from beginning to end. I would love to read a sequel to it and I hope the positive reviews the book deserves will help that happen.
I recommend this book should be read by any reader from the ages of 13 to 113. It really is that good!
December 31, 2014
The Puppet Theatre Claire Gruzelier
The story starts with a magical encounter with a puppet show during a medieval fair in Rhodes for Matthew and his young half-brother. It transpires that behind the scenes of the puppet theatre is a warm hearted family who have taken in troubled teenage waifs and strays and through kindness have turned their lives around. Back in England Matthew longs to join them, against the wishes of his family, although he has an almost certain career in Mathematics ahead of him should he take up the offer.
I love the descriptions of the way this delightful family live their lives in such an idyllic setting. A well written, feel-good book with good moral advice and I enjoyed it very much. It is designated 'juvenile' and I feel sure it will appeal to the age group intended, although it is an enjoyable read for any age.
I received a copy of 'The Puppet Theatre' free as a Goodreads first-read giveaway. Thank you so much to the author and Goodreads for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
The story starts with a magical encounter with a puppet show during a medieval fair in Rhodes for Matthew and his young half-brother. It transpires that behind the scenes of the puppet theatre is a warm hearted family who have taken in troubled teenage waifs and strays and through kindness have turned their lives around. Back in England Matthew longs to join them, against the wishes of his family, although he has an almost certain career in Mathematics ahead of him should he take up the offer.
I love the descriptions of the way this delightful family live their lives in such an idyllic setting. A well written, feel-good book with good moral advice and I enjoyed it very much. It is designated 'juvenile' and I feel sure it will appeal to the age group intended, although it is an enjoyable read for any age.
I received a copy of 'The Puppet Theatre' free as a Goodreads first-read giveaway. Thank you so much to the author and Goodreads for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
March 3, 2015
When I picked up this book I didn't know what to expect. The cover suggested something horrific, dark and mysterious but in reality it was an enjoyable story about decisions you make about your future as you grow up.
I liked how the author used three different characters with different backgrounds as examples of teens in this situation and cleverly connected and compared their journeys.
This book is full of wise advice for young people trying to find what they want to do with their lives. Although I enjoyed this and the ideas of the book, I found as a reader that it was quite predictable and so I wasn't reading to desperately know what happened next, more instead to enjoy the story.
Overall I think this book is an easy read which has a worthwhile message.
I liked how the author used three different characters with different backgrounds as examples of teens in this situation and cleverly connected and compared their journeys.
This book is full of wise advice for young people trying to find what they want to do with their lives. Although I enjoyed this and the ideas of the book, I found as a reader that it was quite predictable and so I wasn't reading to desperately know what happened next, more instead to enjoy the story.
Overall I think this book is an easy read which has a worthwhile message.
January 8, 2015
thanks to goodreads for a preview copy
as others have noted the cover picture isn't really in keeping with the book - this is no horror gory story although that's what
a story of teenagers, their friendships and journies all set around a puppet theatre, well told, good characters, especially like to appeal to teenage girls methings, but a good read for all
a sequel would be welcome
as others have noted the cover picture isn't really in keeping with the book - this is no horror gory story although that's what
a story of teenagers, their friendships and journies all set around a puppet theatre, well told, good characters, especially like to appeal to teenage girls methings, but a good read for all
a sequel would be welcome
August 17, 2017
I won this book for free in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
Claire Gruzelier's "The Puppet Theatre" is an interesting novel that is unlike anything I've read before. Although this isn't my typical genre (I tend to read YA or dystopian novels), this book gave light on what another sort of book has to offer a reader.
If you're interested in reading something intriguing, reach for this book!
Claire Gruzelier's "The Puppet Theatre" is an interesting novel that is unlike anything I've read before. Although this isn't my typical genre (I tend to read YA or dystopian novels), this book gave light on what another sort of book has to offer a reader.
If you're interested in reading something intriguing, reach for this book!
November 7, 2015
Great book. This book had a great flow with wonderful characters. The dialogue was believable and moved the story along. Looking forward to reading more from this author. I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I will be recommending this book to others.
December 31, 2014
A very sweet story about friendship and family and finding your place in the world. (I really don't understand why the publisher used such a sinister-looking cover.)
February 14, 2022
Easy to read and probably a young adult book. The story was something completely different and enjoyable with no bad language. Many thanks to the author for gifting it to me.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews