Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

This is a quirky tale telling of a world where the letter D begins to disappear. Dhikilo is a young girl, originally from Somaliland, who is the first to notice - she has been used to her name being shortened to Dicky, or even Dick, but when your best friends start calling you Icky well, you know something is wrong. She sets out to solve this mystery with the aid of her history teacher (despite having been to his funeral) and his dog, a Labrador (or Sphinx) called Mrs Robinson. Her adventures reminded me (and many other readers apparently) of those of Alice, Milo or the Pevensie children but I think the self-knowledge she gains makes the book most similar to The Phantom Tollbooth. 

This is a book for children* - a fact which I wasn't aware of until after I read it - but it actually sits very comfortably with folk and fairy tales which, with their dangers and moral messages, are just as suitable for adults. And this could serve as a sort of gateway book to Faber's other, absolutely definitely, adult books. 

*Despite having a lot of Dickens references - many of which would be beyond the reading of the average pre-teen, I think. I read it despite this - I really don't like Dickens....

This is my third Michel Faber book and they are all so different it is a real testament to the quality of his writing that I love them all and this one was no exception. It tells the story of Dhikilo, a young girl who is horrified to discover that all of the D's are disappearing. What follows is a gloriously whimsical tale following the adventures of Dhikilo and the indomitable Mrs. Robinson to travel to the world of Liminus and recover the missing letters. I loved this story so much! It is so warm and funny and comforting and I thought that the characters were fabulous. There is more than one nod to Dickens in this narrative, which I really appreciated and there are definitely Narnia vibes throughout, which were so great. At its heart, this is an adventure story; a quest story with a little girl pitted against a dangerous foe, but there is a lot of social commentary bound up in the narrative, which is timely and important without ever overshadowing the plot. Equally as wonderful for both adults and children, this was a joyous read and I can't recommend it enough.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I received a copy of the book from Netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity.
An interesting idea behind the story. The writing is good.
However, the story failed to deliver as it spent a lot of time focusing on sma and insignificant details that failed to engage the reader.

I found this book deeply irritating to read and couldn't connect with it at all which was disappointing as I love Faber's past work.

Review not posted anywhere else.

I loved this book and found it very easy to read and enjoyed the humor. The characters were easy to warm to and I was fully invested in their journey.

An interesting set-up, but I think I spent too much time trying to understand the logistics and reason for the loss of the letter D, and not enough time just enjoying the story.

Full review available on my blog here.

Let me start by saying that I discovered, with some surprise, that I'm not the intended audience for this book: it's definitely a children's book, one of the few occasions where these distinctions do matter. D: A Tale of Two Worlds is full to bursting with good intentions and important issues, from the casualty of racism in modern England to the plight of immigrants from Africa, to xenophobia and post-truth and the power of words. And yet all of them are very much simplified, made slightly anecdotal and not really significant (with the exception of the disappearance of the letter D which becomes the catalyst for our protagonist's journey) - more like inconveniences than some truly troubling issues. At the same time, it's a bit of a self-indulgent book, delighting in taking barely concealed potshots at Trump, which for a young reader might be a tad confusing.

While Faber in the afterword indicates his inspirations - mainly Dickens, who even makes an appearance as a very old and eccentric history professor, but also Lewis's Narnia, Thurber's The Wonderful O and the Wonderland novels - I mostly felt that D: A Tale of Two Worlds was a modern twisted retelling of Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. It is not a bad thing in itself, but I expected a bit more originality from Faber.

That said, I enjoyed the first, more realistic part of the novel a lot - much more than the second. Dhikilo's real-life troubles were to me much more interesting than her fairy-tale exploits in the world of Limnus. Her difficult situation as an orphan immigrant from Somaliland in the middle of the very white and very British English small coastal town was timely and interesting. But the remaining two-thirds of the book seemed in contrast surprisingly generic, with various obligatory monsters needing conquering or tricking along the way, and topped by a thinly veiled satire on Trump and his followers.

And here lies the crux of the problem: Faber's tale is tonally uneven, oscillating between a fairy-tale and a newspaper editorial, and disregarding internal logic in favor of presenting author's pet peeves. It seems like Faber couldn't fully decide who is the intended reader of D: A Tale of Two Worlds, and in the end settled on himself. If it sounds harsh, it shouldn't (well... not entirely :P) - I am of the opinion that authors ought to love their works. Though they should also be able to accept criticism ;).

As it is, Faber’s novel is interesting enough to breeze through during a lazy afternoon. D: A Tale of Two Worlds is laudably conscious of the mundane problems of the modern world, but ultimately fails to bring a sense of wonder to the magical part of the tale.

I have received a copy of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks.

I was drawn in by the STUNNING cover, but this is written much too much as a children's book for my tastes. Hopefully the whimsical vibe will work for a younger audience though!

This was a sweet story, fairy tale-like, whimsical. I can't say it totally worked for me. I love the writing, the idea, but didn't get along with how the plot unfolded much.

Thanks a lot to the publisher and NG for this copy.

I loved the main character Dhikilo however as many of the Amazon reviews note this is a lovely children’s story rather than an adult novel. Sweet but not for me.

Michel Faber's latest novel is a fun children's adventure, with much danger and peril and plenty of humour.

Schoolgirl Dhikilo has already, by the time the story opens, survived more than her share of adventure, having been rescued by her father as a baby from the almost-a-country Somaliland (not Somalia, as she carefully explains). Finding sanctuary in the UK, she is settled in the town of Cawber-on-Sands on the South Coast with her pleasant foster parents Ruth and Malcolm. Faber shows us how, while happy with them and at school, Dhikilo misses the culture and country she was too young to remember, devouring any facts or gossip she can find online or in the local bookshop or library. Those early parts of the story are filled with longing and missingness even while - as Faber explains - Dhikilo isn't quite sure what it is she's missing.

So perhaps Dhikilo is ready for another adventure when it comes along, as come along it does. Things begin to go wrong. To disappear. Specifically, the letter "D" - then things containing it. So soon there are no more ogs, no more octors at the surgery and no onkey derby at the annual fete. Soon, there is a politician on the TV saying that iversity is all very well, but not if it gets in the way of forging a strong, safe nation.

Why can only Dhikilo see what's missing? That's not clear. Maybe because as an outsider, she's more receptive, more ready to ask questions, awkward questions, and get into trouble for doing so? Even to travel to a strange world (after all, it's not the first time) where she might discover the truth about what's been happening and perhaps even do something about it?

That's what happens, courtesy of a mysterious adult whose house has a gateway in the attic to a frozen world. If that makes you think of Narnia, then yes, it's supposed to - Faber is perfectly clear about the inspiration here and some of the events through that doorway will remind you of CS Lewis's books and the films of them. But there are differences too, I think. In particular, while Dhikilo has an animal guardian here - a Sphinx called Nelly, no less - there's no religious aspect, as with Narnia's Aslan, and much of Dhikilo's progress depends above all else on her courage, common sense and kindness. She has a series of challenges to meet, which I won't say anything about - spoilers! - and as the story unfolded I recognised another influence here: Charles Dickens, with many of the settings and creatures named after, or reflecting, his books - we meet the Quilps and the Drood (sorry, the roo), the names of the rooms in a hotel called Bleak House are based on London prisons and most sinisterly of all, there is a Big Bad called the Gamp, supported by unpleasant magwitches, creatures he claims to be enemies but is working hand-in-glove with. (A bit of satire aimed at lying politicians, I think).

Anyone reading this book who doesn't recognise these names (or some of the scenes and events) won't be puzzled of confused by the story, but if you know what they mean, it does add a little bit to your enjoyment, as will the details revealed towards the end about a certain Professor and his home.

This is, as I have said, above all an exciting, dangerous adventure with a resourceful and wise central character. The subtitle, "A Tale of Two Worlds", as well as its allusion to Dickens, may refer to Dhikilo's adventures in England and in Liminus or to her passage from Somaliland to England, or possibly both. There are, I think, many more than two worlds here, giving much to explore and discover.

I'd strongly recommend D.

Unfortunately this didn't work for me. I read Michael Faber's The Crimson Petal and the White and the blurb of "D" sounded interesting.
However nothing made much sense and I wasn't interested in any of the characters and the story fell flat.
It does read like a fairytale and there's certainly whimsical elements in it, but I'm not sure if children would like it. Not my cup of tea.

What a charming little novel to read, I have to say this is one of the most inventive books I have read in a while. Very magical and imaginative and I would say it might be better suited to a younger reader but saying that I am middle aged and loved it so yes throw yourself down the rabbit-hole of magical imagination and envelope yourself in a really excellent told tale!

DNF at 42%

Michel Faber has released many notable titles in the last few years, one or two which have been adapted for television, but this is my first time reading a novel by him. It’s also an eager release since he had supposedly retired from writing a few years ago, but I guess an author can’t ignore the sound of a muse calling, huh?

The idea of this novel was strong. The Dickensian influences and the story could’ve worked into a quirky story, but there was something about the story that just didn’t work. It failed to hold my attention, and I was never invested in anything: not the characters, the story. Nothing. It didn’t feel like a fantasy, since it felt so contrived, and our main heroine was as flat as a board. Nothing had personality, and it honestly bored me so much I can’t remember what happens because I couldn’t care. Maybe a more structured story could’ve helped if it wasn’t in an episodic nature.

Apparently this is meant for children, but I really can’t see children liking this story much.

Such a shame.

‘It was a long, long day without the D.’

One morning at breakfast, the letter D disappears from Dhiliko’s parents’ conversation. It is also missing from road signs and from school dinners. Just imagine how difficult life becomes when no-one can say your name properly anymore? But it isn’t just the letter D itself that goes missing: the local dentist and the neighbour’s dalmatian also vanish.

‘Despite being in the bottom percentile of befriendedness, Dhikilo used to love school. After the disappearance of the D, she didn’t like it so much anymore.’

The mystery deepens. Language becomes garbled, Dhiliko is the only person who seems to notice that D is missing. And then her former history teacher Professor Dodderfield dies. Dhiliko attends his funeral and visits his home.

And this is where the story really begins. Dhiliko’s search for the letter D takes her to a world called Liminus, on a quest to find out what is happening and why. Gamp controls Liminus, and D has a specific purpose in that world. Can Dhiliko and her companion Mrs Robinson save the letter D? Can they help those enslaved by Gamp?

What a wonderful magical trip this was! Echoes of other fantastic journeys, character names that readers of Charles Dickens will recognise, a magic portal between worlds. Dhiliko herself, from a country no-one has heard of, has been adopted by caring (but anxious) English parents. She is treated as an outsider in England but her trip to Liminus gives her a chance to find her own place in the world.

I really enjoyed this fantasy. Dhiliko is a wonderful hero, and her journey kept me quickly turning the pages.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

What a wonderful, magical book with a kick-ass heroine!
One day, Dhikilo wakes up and finds the letter ‘D’ has disappeared from the English language. It’s disappeared from her parents conversation, the neighbour’s Dalmatian has vanished and she seems to be the only one who realises. When she finds her old Professor who thinks she may be the only one with the power to save the letter, she bravely goes on a perilous adventure to a different world where she finds new friends, and plenty of enemies.
This was such a lovely story that made me feel like a child again - in a good way! Going through a door to a different world is obviously an ode to the Narnia stories, and I also kept thinking of The Wizard of Oz as Dhikilo made her way (with a friendly Sphinx!) through Liminus to see the monstrous Gamp. Dhikilo is a brave and level headed heroine who never seems to show her fear, and I loved the fact that Faber chose to have a young Black girl who isn’t the typical outcast at school as the lead - it felt fresh, and let’s face it, it’s about time!
This was just blissful escapism and exactly what I needed right now - a journey to another time and place full of magical creatures and people, and with plenty of joyful and funny moments to boot! Loved this.

When I read the blurb on this book, it seemed quite interesting. Our lead character, Dhikilo, is potentially a good hero for the story. But the way it plays out just didn't work for me.. The whole premise of the D disappearing didn't work in my mind and then the reading became quite difficult due to the missing D. There's no way of overlooking that when it wasn't that enjoyable. Perhaps with a different device to lead to the adventure, it might have worked but this was something of a disappointment in the end.

I give this 2.5 stars.

I am a huge Michel Faber fan, but I must admit to being very disappointed by ‘D A Tale of Two Worlds’. The YA genre is a tricky one and I just didn’t feel he developed the story beyond the original idea. Consequently this short novel felt rather clunky.

I am a big Faber fan, and also a voracious reader of children's literature, so this was tailor made for me! I haven't read many Dickens books, so I missed a lot of allusions until later reading an interview with the author, such as the guide dog being named after his mistress. However, this didn't detract from the story. It reminded me strongly of the Phantom Tollbooth or the Wizard of Oz, with a girl set out on a quest to save a land where the letter D is disappearing, meeting with friends, enemies and problems along the way. I really liked the main character, who is adopted and from Somaliland,a disputed country, linking to the themes of unknown identity and being lost. The despotic ruler taking the D's can be read as an all too obvious Trump/ Brexit/ environmental parody, and I think the story is almost improved by reading it as a child at face value. A quirky, strange story that is best read as a MG quest, that I enjoyed, but wasn't desperate to reread.