The Secret of Whylder Wood

A Great Story Beautifully Written This is a wonderfully engaging story that captivates from the first page. Let’s face it, who doesn’t love a hedgehog hero and who isn’t repulsed by mutant rats. The animals are real; the settings are vivid and the jeopardy intense. Anyone from twelve to a hundred and twelve would enjoy this book. Forget your warlocks and wizards, your dragons and vampires, this is fantasy at its best.

Thank you for writing a great book. I have just finished reading The Secret of Whylder Wood and I LOVED IT. The idea of each creature using its own strengths to best advantage was very well demonstrated. I like the Pan and spiritual references – even though the rats were misguided I think like me you must strongly believe in god. I think the underlying message would appeal to a lot of people especially teenagers. The concept of pollution and man destroying habitats and environments even in small areas is very much a current topic.

Darkness & Light This is a surprising novel. The title and cast of characters might hint at The Animals of Farthing Wood. Yet the plot is darker than Watership Down which makes it difficult to categorise in a publishing world obsessed by genre and sub-genres. So, better to read it with an open mind and enjoy the story. And the Author’s Note makes clear that the themes include the dangers of substance abuse – a relevant subject for adults and younger readers alike. Elaine Ramsay has written a richly imagined novel full of interesting characters, beautiful descriptions of the natural world and an unflinching account of the effects of pollution. The classical theme of how power corrupts is balanced deftly with a belief that different groups really can work together to defeat evil. A message for our times. Read it – you will be surprised and rewarded.

From the moment I started reading ‘The Secret Of Whylder Wood’, I was totally captivated and unable to put it down. The life lessons are cleverly woven into a very good story, where the characters are brought to life brilliantly. I was taken on a journey of highs and lows, you made me laugh and would have made me cry, except that I’m a ‘real man’ and as we all know….. I do hope many more people get a chance to read the book because there is little doubt they will get immense enjoyment from doing so.

Choosey old critic that I am, I seldom enthuse about a book these days, but I really loved this one. Elaine Ramsay's accomplished and refreshing prose bubbles through the narrative like the woodland stream, before toxic waste seeps into its water, threatening the peaceful habitat of many wildlife species. The plot darkens but the story is told with warmth and humour; and we are entertained by a large and varied cast of brilliantly characterised creatures. This is not I have to say, a bedtime story, more an urgent wake-up call for the well -being of our children and indeed for the future of the planet. For beneath the whimsy, fur and feathers we are confronted with the chemical reality of our 'brave new world'. The Secret Of Whylder Wood is a many layered, thought provoking tale of 'Chernobyl' in our local woods and countryside. Look beyond the text to the bigger picture and we see the fall-out from affluence, greed, commercial and political interests already being dumped upon us in the name of prosperity and progress. But don't get too depressed – it's a really good read. When I first read the book, I thought of Tolkein, Greene and Adams, but on second thoughts I think George Orwell's Animal farm is more like it because it's a book with serious political implication.  Susan Sussman