SOLVED. I think it's Adult Fantasy. Spoilers! The main character is a young boy. He and his father go on an adventure after the mom leaves them for the next door neighbor. [s]

[Swamp]

I have been searching for a book for over 10 years. I am DESPERATE to find this book. I can't remember the title, character names, or author. Yes, I know how annoying this is, I'm a librarian.

The book is about a boy and his dead. The mom leaves them for the next door neighbor. The boy and dad go on this journey. I know there is a train and something involving a fish. It's an adult book, and it's fantasy. The first chapter sticks out clearly. I know that the boy is playing in the puddles at the start of the book. I know that it hasn't rained in a long time. I know at the end, time rewinds, or maybe the boy get a wish granted, the point is that the mom comes back home. That's all I know.

Please, HELP ME!!!!!!!!!

[Kris]

Karsen, what's the location/setting of their home - U.S./country, region, big city/small town? Where do they journey to?


A real long shot - The Thief of Broken Toys by Tim Lebbon?

www.worldcat.org (advanced search) -- Keyword: father son wife leaves | Subject: fantasy | 1950-2010 | Non-Juvenile | Fiction | Book | English

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Please also add plot details to your header since 80% of members are looking for fantasy. This could help your query get solved more quickly.

[Swamp]

Kris wrote: "Karsen, what's the location/setting of their home - U.S./country, region, big city/small town? Where do they journey to?

I can't remember where they go. I only remember that it was on a train. That book isn't right as the main character is the little boy and the dad is part of the stopry. Thank you though!
A real long shot - The Thief of Broken Toys by [author:Tim ..."

[Amanda]

Sounds like it could be Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie. The details you mention mostly match up.

[Kris]

Amanda wrote: "Sounds like it could be Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie. The details you mention mostly match up."

Amanda's suggestion looks promising. One Amazon reviewer says, "This story is about a celebrated storyteller [Rashid] who loses his talent for improvising stories when his wife leaves him. His son, Haroun, is unwillingly pulled into the adventure involving an arduous journey to the sea of stories to vanquish a powerful enemies and reclaim his father's gift of gab." A quick search using Amazon's preview found references to a train trip and Rashid doing a little jig in a puddle.

[Swamp]

THAT'S THE BOOK THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

[Amanda]

So glad that was it!
It's a lovely book, too. Enjoy rereading it!