Rotherweird

April 22, 2019
In this intricate, leisurely trilogy opener, Caldecott weaves an evocative picture of a small British town characterized by its reclusive nature, both haunted by and disconnected from its mysterious past. When the hapless Jonah Oblong is hired to teach modern (“1800 and after is the rule”) history to the students of Rotherweird, he discovers a community filled with eccentrics and geniuses, bound by ancient rules, the most important of which is “we’re forbidden to study old history”—especially the town’s own origins. Meanwhile, the enigmatic Sir Veronal Slickstone moves into Rotherweird’s long-empty manor, setting into motion a series of bizarre events that seem poised to uncover secrets left buried for centuries. With a sizable cast pursuing numerous plot threads over the course of months, this tale starts slowly, only picking up speed once the layers of magic-riddled history are gradually pulled back. While the focus might be on the oddball inhabitants, Rotherweird is the true heart and soul of the narrative, a character in its own right. Dense language and overly clever riddles complicate a complex story that will nevertheless reward the patient reader. Agent: Ed Wilson, Johnson & Alcock (U.K.).

June 7, 2019

Four hundred years after a Tudor queen banished 12 gifted children to the town of Rotherweird, an unconventional charter still prohibits the study of the area's history. But, of course, there are readers--and the inevitable newly arrived outsider--who dare to brave the Bluebeard's chamber. This mashup of historical fiction and fantasy that alternates historical and contemporary story lines converges to a dramatic (if somewhat perplexing) precipice. Detailed descriptions of the anachronistic town and its oddball inhabitants dominate. The resulting overabundance of characters leave readers confused about who they should care about--or who is vital to the curious, inventive, and intricate plot with ominous overtones. An overexplained ending is unfulfilling but does set up the sequel. VERDICT Some readers may find playwright Caldecott's debut worth reading for originality and inventiveness, but others might find it difficult or baffling.--Kat Landry Mueller, Newton Gresham Lib., Sam Houston State Univ., Huntsville, TX

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