The Magician of Tiger Castle by Louis Sachar review – whimsical fantasy in a kingdom long, long ago

In this first adult novel from the acclaimed children’s author, an immortal magician returns to tell the story of a royal court where he cast his spells some 500 years beforeThe American author Louis Sachar’s most celebrated book, 1998’s YA novel Holes, was a huge word-of-mouth success on both sides of the Atlantic. Its short, punchy chapters tell the story of plump, hapless Stanley Yelnats, sent to a summer camp for wayward boys, where a terrifying Warden has peculiar ideas about character reformation. The 5ft-deep holes the boys are required to dig turn out to have a surprising purpose. Shifts of time, register and perspective render a simple premise mesmerisingly intricate. It has peril, love, crime, wickedness, redemption and friendship in, well, spades.A quarter of a century later, Sachar has written his first supposedly adult novel, in which many of the same ingredients reappear. A man “dressed like a typical American tourist”, but with an odd habit of storing cake crumbs in the pocket of his hoodie, has arrived at the castle of the title, filled with curiosity to see how much has changed in the past 500 years. He seems to know intimate details about daily life back then in the court of King Sandro, Queen Corinna and the headstrong teenage princess, Tullia. Anatole, the king’s bumbling magician and alchemist, was fast losing prestige due to his abject failure to turn black sand, brought in from Iceland at huge expense, into gold. But the magician evidently achieved one stunning success, for Anatole is our present-day narrator. Grisly legends have built up around the castle, as eagerly related by the tour guide, but are full of errors. Anatole decides to recount the real story. Continue reading...

Comments

Culture

Fans predict being ’emotionally wrecked’ after first look at acting legend’s comeback

Metro

Comments

Culture

Fans predict being ’emotionally wrecked’ after first look at acting legend’s comeback

Real-life tragedy that inspired terrifying horror hit Weapons

Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show receives record audience spike thanks to Fox News guest

Demi Lovato says Jonas Brothers reunion for Camp Rock songs was ‘healing’

Stephen King reveals his perfect ending to the ‘Trump horror story’

‘Honour their memory’: Dolly Parton shares her advice on grief for Kelly Clarkson after ex-husband’s death

Strictly Come Dancing announces Ru Paul’s Drag Race star La Voix as seventh contestant for 2025 series

Daniel Day-Lewis makes acting return after retirement with first look at new film

Jeremy Clarkson’s The Farmer’s Dog finally provides pub essential after complaints

Strictly Come Dancing star Nadiya Bychkova taken to hospital after ‘nasty’ rehearsal fall

Pirates of the Caribbean producer ‘thinks’ Johnny Depp will return in new movie

The Repair Shop’s Jay Blades to appear in court charged with rape

‘I thought Love Is Blind UK season 2 was cursed – but I was wrong’

Love Is Blind: UK Season 2 on Netflix review: vapid, empty, boring

The rise (and fall?) of Tyler Perry

One movie went from zero to hero 50 years ago – here’s why it’s still going strong today

21 fan theories that will completely change the way you watch iconic movies

Teens arrested for Brad Pitt burglary targeted other stars, say LA police

Why Jennifer Lawrence didn’t want Emma Stone to shave off all her hair for movie role

Alien: Earth is a stark warning against the erosion of humanity

Strictly Come Dancing full lineup 2025: Meet the celebrity contestants announced so far

Wednesday fans’ wishes ‘confirmed’ after Jenna Ortega debunks popular fan theory

Tulisa of N-Dubz speaks on life after infamous drugs sting: ‘It’s only now that I’m in a more peaceful place’

‘I hate modern dating after hosting one of Netflix’s biggest ever shows’

White House calls for a 'comprehensive review' of eight Smithsonian museums

Malin Akerman reveals Melania Trump was the inspiration for her Hunting Wives character

The Repair Shop restoration leaves man in tears over grandmother’s wartime diary

Season 2 of Netflix’s ‘ghoulish delight’ lands 50,000,000 views in just days

Ozzy Osbourne ‘was having fun’ with daughter Kelly in poignant moment at funeral

'Ozzy is everything': Yungblud pays tribute to his hero as he opens up about 'raw' documentary

Jeremy Clarkson joins backlash as JD Vance holidays in the Cotswolds

Remembering the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest — a contest for bad writing

White House Announces Comprehensive Review of Smithsonian Exhibitions

Danielle Spencer, Child Star on ‘What’s Happening!!,’ Is Dead at 60

Channel 4 thriller In Flight is so tense I had to hold my breath

Kristin Davis reveals which one of her Sex and the City co-stars said she had ‘body dysmorphia’

Katie Price’s ex-husband Kieran Hayler apologises to Princess Andre

80s singer blasts AI ad that claimed he had ‘troubles with erectile dysfunction’

'Alien: Earth' is one of the best shows so far this year

What If A.I. Doesn’t Get Much Better Than This?

English singer cancels concert after ‘falling ill’ just hours before show

8 Songs for the Dog Days of Summer

Together promises ‘the first feel-good body horror’ movie but here’s what I think

Danielle Spencer death: Child actor star of What’s Happening!! dies at age 60

Why Jennifer Lawrence didn’t want Emma Stone to shave off all her hair for movie role

Game of Thrones star’s ‘underrated’ period drama now streaming on Amazon Prime

What’s Happening!! actress Danielle Spencer dies aged 60

Strictly 2025 line-up confirms sixth contestant is social media star followed by millions

Channel 4’s ‘nerve-shredding’ thriller is now available to binge

'We had too much drama' - meet the Real Housewives of London

In Flight episode one on Channel 4 review: this airplane thriller never quite takes off

A big break after age 40 is possible. Just ask Jeff Hiller of 'Somebody Somewhere'

Trump makes Kennedy Center Honors announcement. It caught the staff off guard

Taylor Swift announces her next era: 'The Life of a Showgirl'

Meghan and Harry make terrible TV – what is Netflix thinking?

Clarkson’s Farm filming affected by JD Vance’s controversial Cotswolds holiday

Reggaeton artist Jhayco arrested and accused of cocaine possession in Florida

JD Vance visit causes unexpected chaos at Clarkson’s Farm

Taylor Swift’s 12th album theories explained by superfans

Madonna urges Pope to visit Gaza 'before it's too late'