My dad picked up a copy of this book by Charlie Mackesy at our local indie bookstore (which is actually our only local bookstore these days) because apparently it had won some award or been on some best-of list or something. I had never heard of it, but he thought I might like it so he handed off his copy to me, even though he’s always telling me I have too many books and need to stop collecting so many books.
On the plus side, this book is super short and easily read in one sitting, even for someone who doesn’t have a lot of time to sit and read. It’s illustrated and the writing is all done in calligraphy, so you just breeze right through it.
This book is a solid “meh” for me. I found it to be way too precious.
It doesn’t have a plot, it’s just a young boy and his animal friends talking about love and friendship.
That’s it.
That’s the whole book.
Each character tries to convince themselves and each other that they are enough just as they are, so I although it’s classified as fiction, I would put this book in the Self-Help category. If you need a reminder that you’re only human and no one expects you to grow wings and start flying (like the horse does at one point, just because), then this book might provide the pick-up you need.
If you’re already aware that you are a human with normal, human limitations, and that anyone who expects you to grow wings and start flying around should go jump off a cliff, then I’d suggest passing on this book and either reading something with more concrete tips for living your best life, or just picking up a better book that actually has a plot.