The Secret of Whylder Wood

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