By Mairi Craw
for Emily
| Beyond the Hedge |
By Mairi Craw |
for Emily |
|
| "When your cat is fast asleep,
belly up, with his legs all over the place, I hope you realise he's not
taking it easy. Far from it, he's indulging in a challenging mental and
physical workout to keep himself in peak
condition. Oh, of course, I hear you exclaim sarcastically. Let me put it this way, when push comes to shove, who's the fitter, you or your cat, and when exactly was the last time you ran up the curtains? I rest my case." |
| "A charming novel." |
| (Bloomsbury, publishers of Harry Potter) |
"Magical... the writing is strong." |
| (Puffin/Penguin Books) |
"The text flows and the plot hangs together well." |
| (Floris Books) |
"A fine work." |
| (Avari Press, USA) |
"The characters come off the page so well." |
| (David Rintoul, actor, London) |
"This book is absolutely brilliant! I particularly enjoyed the last two chapters. The ending took me completely by surprise; I just hadn't seen it coming. The writing is wicked. Beyond the Hedge is completely unlike anything I've read before. I can't wait for the sequel." |
| (Tamsin Shearn, student, Dorset) |
"Beyond the Hedge has elements of Tolkien's epic, 'The Lord of the Rings', Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast trilogy, with a sprinkling of Lewis Carroll thrown in at no extra cost. There's a confidence and maturity about Mairi Craw's first novel that shouts ESTABLISHED WRITER." |
| (Johnny Milne, artist and retired teacher, Ayrshire) |
"Beyond the Hedge is coherent, vibrant and flowing. The characters are memorable and the dialogue delightful. This book glows with life." |
| (Sheila Mahoney, literary critic, California) |
"My word, what a book! I was captivated. It's very entertaining and highly readable." |
| (Phil Jacques, Trade Union NEC member, Dorset) |
"As a family we all loved this book. A magical tale from a Craw of a cat." |
| (Iain Goldsmith, friend of 'BtH' heroine Sandy Henderson) |
| With special thanks to Richard and Judy, without whom this book might never have been written. |
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| Sandy in pursuit of Leo as he heads for the enchanted arch |
| Beyond the Hedge |
| Current 5 Star Reviews on Amazon UK |
|
Paul Cooper Ayrshire, Scotland This book has got to be the most brilliant book ever written. After meeting the wonderful author I realised just how much love and passion this author had for her old house, Woodburn. She created a fantastic make-believe world in which adults and children can confide in. In the book there are the most fun-loving characters and yet some very stern and some of the strangest I have seen. The contrast between the fun-loving Pongo and the crabbit Lorimer as he snaps off a character's leg is just brilliant. I must have read it nearly seven times now and haven't put it down since having it signed by the fantastic illustrator Johnny Milne and the wonderful Mairi Craw at a not so long ago book launch. And I hope to see her again in the near future. Awrabest Mairi, until soon, Paul. Oh and can't wait for the next one.  Mairi and Johnny present Scottish fan Paul Cooper with the first-ever signed print of Pestilence Grimshaw and a copy of 'Beyond the Hedge' for the library at Paul's school, Auchinleck Academy. 1st Sept 2006. C. Steed "BlackSapphire1701" Faversham, Kent, England, UK I'd hoped I'd be able to describe this book in one word but I can't - it is far too good a story to generalise. Beyond the Hedge is sublime. The characters are so well written, they simply fly off the page and you really feel as if you are standing with them on their quest to rid the world of Maligna and her like. It is a rip-roaring blockbuster of a novel and I understand the sequel is being written as we speak, and I for one, can't wait. There are far too many characters to mention without giving the plot away, but two of my favourites were Vince and Florin - who would have thought a kilt and sporran could be so wonderfully entertaining? If you don't buy any other book this year, buy this, or pester your local library to get it in, you won't be disappointed. This book is far too good to remain a book only, I can see this transferring easily to TV and Film; it really is that good - enjoy! eannet Painswick, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom This is a beautifully written fantasy story full of such outrageous characters that is quite easy to believe in anything and everything. Predominantly set in an imaginary world, it is convincingly anchored to the reality of our own. Although written for children, its unique style of narrative is a pleasure to read whatever age you are; ideal for bedtime storytelling! It has a strong story line with a satisfying level of suspense and wonderfully colourful descriptions of both the characters and the environment ably supported by the delightful line illustrations. The result is a book you do not want to put down and a slightly empty feeling when you have to say goodbye to the characters at the end of the story. A sequel would be good. DMJ "bookman" London, UK I really enjoyed this book - it reminded me of Alice in Wonderland which I read years ago. In this story Jock, the swaggering crow, Jamie, the haughty Siamese cat, Pongo the hairiest dog imaginable, Lorimer, an outrageous lobster, and Captain Pestilence Grimshaw come to life in their battle to overcome Maligna the Harpie and save Sylvanians. This is one of the best fairy tales I’ve read in some time, and the detailed illustrations throughout the book really bring the story to life. Mairi Craw has a great imagination! D J Mulkeen South West England This book cannot be categorised. It’s original, fresh, pacy, outrageous, funny and, in places, heart-breakingly sad. There’s one soon-to-be infamous chapter which should not be read without your senses on full alert and a big scary guard dog, who has your best interests at heart, curled up at your feet. Meet characters whose lives you’ll want to follow book after book. Mairi Craw’s Scottish fairyfolk will wrap you in the snuggest literary blanket. They have personality, attitude and a relentless sense of humour, even in the face of adversity, in a world you’ll long to visit and, once there, never want to leave. Who’d have thought a talking kilt and sporran could take centre stage under any circumstances? Or that a dastardly buccaneer could really breathe fresh air into the stereotypical pirate chief? Let Mairi introduce you to self-styled ‘Captain’ Pestilence Grimshaw and his long-suffering cabin boy, Pigsblanket, whose background is shrouded in mystery. In writing this review, I’ve convinced myself that it’s time to dive straight back into ‘Beyond the Hedge’ and immerse myself in this magical, enchanted world. John R H Milne Ayr, Scotland This book is quite unlike anything else I’ve ever read and a most remarkable accomplishment for a first time author. In some ways it does for Scotland what Middle Earth did for England, but with a pervasive humour that could only come from someone who had spent their student years in Glasgow. Step into this book, as Leo tumbled through the hedge and simply enjoy the experience. The characters are so well crafted that, as the illustrator all I did was draw the scenes already created through Mairi in my imagination. petefreshney Dorset, UK At first sight, this book looks like a fairy story for kids. And indeed it is, but it’s also much more. The sophistication of the language, the depth of the detailed descriptions of things commonplace and bizarre, and above all the humour - which runs throughout, even under the darker passages - combine to create a world you want to inhabit, whatever your age. Many of the characters sound initially preposterous, but they’re so well drawn as to be completely believable, and you are quickly involved in their lives. And you really care what happens to them. The cliffhanger ending promises much more to follow. I look forward to the sequel! Phil Jacques Gillingham, Dorset, United Kingdom In the broad genre of Lord of the Rings, Narnia and Harry Potter but a refreshing innovative style and story. I was captivated from beginning to end. It made me laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time. The characters are brilliantly described: some are audacious, some precocious, others outrageous but all are plausible. Read and enjoy! |
| Return to the Home Page |
Read or listen to an extract from the
novel and from the sequel, Between Two Worlds |
| Where to get the book | Illustrator Johnny Milne |
| Mairi's Hopes and Dreams Branch | Buy Johnny Milne's illustrations |
| Mairi's portrait and favourite links | Contact Mairi@mairicraw.com |
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Mairi Craw's Literary Agent is Darin Jewell at the inspira group | Mairi's collection of Greeting Cards which feature many of the characters in Beyond the Hedge |