Title: The Land of Decoration
Author: Grace McCleen
First published January 1, 2011
291 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780701186814 (ISBN10: 070118681X)
Rating: 3.59
Overview
The Land of Decoration is a beautifully written novel that will capture your heart from the very beginning. Judith and her father live a simple life surrounded by the remnants of a past they cannot forget.
But Judith’s unwavering faith allows her to see the potential in everything, even in the things that others may dismiss as worthless. Bullied at school, she finds solace in creating a miniature world called The Land of Decoration, a place where she can escape and let her imagination run wild.
When she discovers she has the power to make miracles happen, she is thrilled. But with great power comes great responsibility, and Judith soon realizes that not everyone is happy with her abilities.
With its compelling narrative and stunning prose, The Land of Decoration is a thought-provoking story about the power of belief, and the consequences of using that power. Grace McCleen has created a truly unforgettable heroine in Judith, a character who will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.
About the Author
Born and raised in Wales, Grace McCleen’s childhood was spent within a fundamentalist religion that kept her isolated from those who didn’t share her beliefs. At the age of ten, her family relocated to Ireland where she received a homeschooling education.
Upon returning to Britain, she resumed her studies in school and had an English teacher who encouraged her to apply to Oxford.
Grace pursued English Literature at both Oxford University and The University of York before embarking on a career as a writer and musician. Currently, she resides in London and has written her debut novel, The Land of Decoration.
Editoral Review
The Land of Decoration by Grace McCleen is a novel that beautifully blends magical realism and coming-of-age themes to create a heartwarming story that readers of all ages can enjoy. Published on January 1, 2011, McCleen’s debut novel took the literary world by storm with its poignant message and stunning prose.
McCleen, a British author and songwriter, drew from her own difficult childhood to write a touching story about a young girl’s journey to find her place in the world. Set in a small town in Wales during the 1980s, The Land of Decoration centers around ten-year-old Judith McPherson, who lives with her father, a devout Jehovah’s Witness.
Judith is a shy, introspective girl who spends most of her time in her bedroom, creating a miniature world out of paper and glue called ‘the Land of Decoration.’ She relies on her imagination and her faith to cope with the difficulties of her life, especially the bullying she experiences at school. As Judith prepares to lead her school’s strike against the construction of a new factory, she receives a message from God that she believes gives her the power to perform miracles.
At first, Judith uses her newfound abilities to exact revenge on her bullies, but she soon realizes that her gifts can be used to help others. However, her actions bring unintended consequences, and Judith must learn to navigate the murky waters of morality, faith, and community.
McCleen does an excellent job of bringing Judith’s imaginative world to life, using evocative language and vivid imagery that transports the reader to the Land of Decoration. The novel’s themes of faith, forgiveness, and redemption are subtle but resonate with readers long after they finish the book.
The characters are well-drawn and relatable, and Judith’s transformation from a meek girl into a confident, compassionate young woman is inspiring. The Land of Decoration is not without its flaws.
The pacing can be slow at times, and the plot relies heavily on coincidences that strain the reader’s suspension of disbelief. However, these issues are minor compared to the novel’s strengths.
McCleen’s prose is lyrical and poetic, and her deft handling of complex themes is impressive for a debut author. Overall, The Land of Decoration is a touching and insightful novel that will appeal to fans of magical realism and coming-of-age stories.
Its themes of faith, forgiveness, and redemption are universal, and its message is relevant to our current sociopolitical climate. I highly recommend this novel to readers of all ages.
Rating: 4/5 stars.
