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The Toymakers

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About this listen

Random House presents the audiobook edition of The Toymakers by Robert Dinsdale, read by Ruby Bentall.

Do you remember when you believed in magic?

It is 1917, and while war wages across Europe, in the heart of London, there is a place of hope and enchantment.

The Emporium sells toys that capture the imagination of children and adults alike: patchwork dogs that seem alive, toy boxes that are bigger on the inside, soldiers that can fight battles of their own. Into this family business comes young Cathy Wray, running away from a shameful past. The Emporium takes her in, makes her one of its own.

But Cathy is about to discover that the Emporium has secrets of its own....

A dark, enchanting, spectacularly imaginative novel perfect for fans of Jessie Burton's The Miniaturist and Erin Morgenstern's The Night Circus.

©2018 Robert Dinsdale (P)2018 Random House Audiobooks Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Magic Magical Realism War & Military Heartfelt Mind-bending Paranormal Feel-Good Tear-jerking War Military
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I found this book annoyingly ambiguous. The magical elements just could not have coexistence with the real elements. That is the trick and delight of the genre.
Could the toys not have been put to real.military use. Would the shop really just be treated as a curiosity.
I was also not really engaged by any of the characters.
I liked the ending and the reading was generally OK but there are edits which been left in when the reader has a second go at some phrases. Tut Tut.
I had hoped for Rivers of London in a toy shop but it didn't have the wit in any sense.
I see a lot of people liked it but not me.

Not magical for me

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This book is beautifully written. I can't wait for First Frost... The performance is perfect - Ruby Bentall just added to the magic!

Simply magical!

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I wouldn’t normally have read this book but I had a spare credit I’m so glad that I spent it on this book
If you want to truly wish to lose yourself in a book there is no better book than this
Taking you back to childhood imagination and fantasy with a very grown up story line running through it this book is a magical gem that will stay with you long after you have finished it

What wonderful find

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This book is surprisingly enchanting and sad. A mixture of evil, the harsh reality of war and the beauty of love. I loved it. To be read til the end.

Surprisingly good

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This tale of two battling brothers whose creations have a touch of magic was very reminiscent of the Night Circus book. I found it ok with a very touching ending.

Narration was good.

Night Circus vibes

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