Title: Tamsin
Author: Peter S. Beagle
First published October 1, 1999
275 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780451457639 (ISBN10: 0451457633)
Rating: 4.03
Overview
When Jenny moves to the English countryside to live with her mother and stepfather, she finds herself bored and uninterested in her surroundings. That is until she meets Tamsin, a ghost who has been haunting the estate for over 300 years.
Tamsin is trapped by a hidden trauma she cannot remember and an evil that even the spirits of the night cannot name. Jenny is determined to help Tamsin and is willing to face the dangers of the dark world to do so.
Little does she know, this journey will change her life forever.
About the Author
Born on April 20, 1939, Peter Soyer Beagle is a versatile American writer who excels in the fantasy genre. He has authored several novels, nonfiction works, and screenplays, in addition to being a skilled guitarist and folk singer.
At the tender age of 19, he wrote his first novel, A Fine and Private Place. However, he is most famous for his novel, The Last Unicorn, which is widely regarded as one of the top ten fantasy novels ever written.
Moreover, two of his other books, A Fine and Private Place and I See By My Outfit, have earned the status of modern classics.
Editoral Review
Peter S. Beagle’s Tamsin is a poignant and evocative exploration of love, loss, and the ties that bind us to the past.
First published in 1999, the novel is set in the English countryside and combines elements of fantasy, ghost story, and coming-of-age tale to create a unique and immersive reading experience.
The novel centers around Jenny Gluckstein, a sixteen-year-old girl from New York who moves to an old, dilapidated house in the English countryside with her father and stepmother. Jenny is a lonely and introspective girl, struggling to come to terms with the recent death of her mother and the upheaval in her life.
However, things start to change when she meets Tamsin Willoughby, a ghost who has been haunting the area for over three hundred years. Tamsin is a complex and fascinating character, full of passion, humor, and sorrow, and she becomes both a friend and a mentor to Jenny as she navigates the challenges of adolescence and the mysteries of the supernatural world.
Beagle’s writing style is both lyrical and precise, capturing the beauty and strangeness of the English countryside with vivid descriptions and immersive imagery. He also has a keen eye for character and psychology, and his portrayal of Jenny’s inner life is both nuanced and empathetic.
The novel is a masterful blend of genres, seamlessly weaving together elements of fantasy, history, and romance to create a rich and compelling narrative.
One of the main strengths of Tamsin is its exploration of the themes of memory, identity, and belonging. Beagle is deeply interested in the ways in which the past shapes our present, and his characters are all struggling to come to terms with their personal histories and the legacies of their ancestors.
Tamsin, in particular, is haunted by the memory of her own tragic love affair and the injustices of the past, and her story is a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of history on our lives.
However, the novel is not without its flaws. Some readers may find the pacing slow at times, and the ending may feel a little too neat and tidy for some tastes.
Additionally, while the novel is beautifully written, some readers may find the prose overly ornate or flowery.
Overall, Tamsin is a book that is sure to appeal to fans of fantasy, ghost stories, and coming-of-age tales. Its blend of richly imagined characters, lush prose, and profound themes make it a standout work of contemporary fantasy.
While it may not be perfect, it is a book that is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers and spark conversations about the nature of memory, love, and the human experience. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating and thought-provoking read.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
