The Mystery of Castle MacGorilla

A wonderful, sweet story. My husband and I have a shared love of David Bentley Hart's theology. We wondered, however, about DBH as children's book author, even one tempered by a co-author. Could he write a simple sentence? String together a succession of words with fewer than four syllables? Avoid snarky (albeit correct) digs at Daniel Dennett, John Calvin, or theistic personalism? In a word, yes. This delightful story enchanted my six-year old. He loved the characters and got the jokes (most of them, anyway). We finished it last night and he wants me to begin again. Tonight. And, what's more, I'm fine with reading it again because I enjoyed the book (an accolade I cannot give to all the books my son enjoys).P.S. My son wanted me to add that Porculina occasionally references foods with which he is unfamiliar (his direct quote: she uses weird words). But, overall, he said, approvingly, that it is weird, wacky, funny, and mysterious.

Well plotted and beautifully observed tale for the young and young at heart alike.

The Mystery of Castle MacGorilla invites readers into a world of enchanting depth and undeniable charm within the realm of children’s literature. In an era where many youngsters begin their literary journey with tales like 'Captain Underpants,' this book stands as a compelling reminder of the potential depth and substance that children’s literature can embody—if only given the chance to be taken seriously, as it very well should.While some passages may carry slightly lengthy sentences and an abundance of modifiers—a hallmark of David Bentley Hart’s writing style—this characteristic doesn’t detract from the book's overall appeal. Instead, it's a familiar trait inherent in Hart's works, seamlessly woven into this captivating narrative.One of the book's exceptional qualities lies in its broad appeal, captivating both the young and the young at heart. Its engaging storyline and rich depth ensure that readers of all ages can find enjoyment and fascination within its pages.

Read this to my 9 and 11 year old girls, who both thoroughly enjoyed it. Since the story takes place in Scotland, I had to use my best British accents for all the characters, except the main one, who's American, but doesn't get much "speaking" time, compared to the rest (go figure). Not sure if the kids liked the book, or me making a fool out of myself trying to sound Scah-ish... but either way, it was a fun read. Thanks for writing it, both you and your son!

This was a delightful read - kind of a cross between Winnie the Pooh and Agatha Christie, both of which I enjoy immensely.