Synopsis: Edinburgh, 1874. On the coldest night the world has ever seen, Little Jack is born with a frozen heart and immediately undergoes a life-saving operation. But Dr Madeleine is no conventional medic and surgically implants a cuckoo-clock into his chest. Little Jack grows up different to other children: every day begins with a daily wind-up. At school he is bullied for his ‘ticking’, but Dr Madeleine reminds him he must resist strong emotion: anger is far too dangerous for his cuckoo-clock heart. So when the beautiful young street-singer, Miss Acacia, appears – pursued by Joe, the school bully – Jack is in danger of more than just falling in love… he is putting his life on the line.
Review: I have heard about the novel for years, but it’s true that when the movie came out and when I saw all these nice reviews, I was once again intrigued but ultimately I did not read or seen anything. Yet I still have to thank Céline which allowed me to discover this little book as it was pleasure to read it.
The first thing that first struck me is the writing of the author. Oh yes, because it is very rich and melodious and it was interesting to read the whole thing. I confess that when I saw the various translations, I wondered if that style would able to be shown in the novels. In all cases it is a treat to advance in the chapters and to follow the pen of the author.
Thus we follow a young boy from his birth until he becomes a man. This child is born with a frozen heart and the midwife who takes care of him, saved him by implementing a clock instead. Thus he survives but remains different from any other children. The isolation in which he lives is a fairly complicated life for a little boy who dreams of traveling all around the world. But during his first night in town, he falls in love with a girl. Ah terrible dilemma … especially when Madeleine, the one who repaired him, explains that this is something forbidden because his heart could not bear too much emotions. Yet, despite the warnings, Jack does not manage to remove this little singer from his mind and hope to find her at any cost.
The story is not very long and is ultimately fairly quick to read, but we discover Jack, his feelings, his doubts, his unconditional love for this girl he does not really know and everything is very touching. We start with him on an adventure, we try to understand him and in the end I must admit that I was surprised more than once. We learn some revelations that the boy has some trouble to accept and we did not expect that. It was a very nice story, although I might have liked to know more about the fate of this man after all he had endured but we also understand that the story must end like that.
A good discovery, different and exciting.
Melanie Simmons @mlsimmons
I didn’t realize that this was being made into a movie. It looks interesting. Great review.
Melliane
yes a French movie
kimbacaffeinate
The writing sounds delightful Melliane. I am going to add it to my wishlist!
Melliane
it was a nice one
Braine
Looks like a middle grade read, but it’s one of those that transcends age brackets I think? I’ll look up the movie, is it animated? From the cover art it looks like it’ll be fun to watch
Melliane
not really MG, more than different ages. Yes it is an animated one
ShootingStarsMag
I remember seeing this one around! I do want to read it. Glad you enjoyed it so much.
blodeuedd
I watched the movie 🙂
Melliane
was it good?
Joy // Joyousreads
Admittedly, I haven’t heard of this book before. I’m one of those readers who are wary of MG books, but you make this sound so good!
Melliane
it’s not really MG, it’s a mix
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum
Sounds like a very heartfelt and emotional story. What a nice little gem, thanks for the review! I love the cover too.
Melliane
yes it is!
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
Sounds like an excited story. I just love that cover.
Jenny @ Supernatural Snark
Sounds like this has a bit of an open ending Melliane, and those are always a bit of a struggle for me because I like answers, but otherwise this sounds like a great read. LOVE the illustration on the cover too, so pretty:)
Melliane
yeah I have a problem with that as well…
Tracy Terry
Loving the cover which is one of the nicest I’ve seen this year. I’m away to add this to my wish list now.
Melliane
I hope you’ll enjoy it if you try it
LilyElement
This sounds like it would make a good movie. Loving the cover too
Melliane
I’m curious about the movie
Lily B
oh wow how different is this? glad to hear the beauty of the writing was not lost in translation
Melliane
I don’t know about that, I have read it in French
Melissa (Books and Things)
I love stories like this and I also love the unusual. That cover is also beautiful. Hm… I may have to either read this one or see the movie. 😀
Melliane
lol
Christy LoveOfBooks
Omg, I LOVE the movie! Now I want to watch it again.
Melliane
really? I need to try!
Carole Rae
There is a movie? Awwwe, the book sounds cute, so I hope the movie is just as good.