This is the story of Mouse, whose life is unusual and takes many surprising turns, from an early life in the circus to an unrespectable middle age, as she recounts the stories and people that have shaped her.

The ingredients are all there, the colourful circus stories, lost and withheld letters, folk tales and great personal loss, but overall it doesn't stick together for me, maybe because there are so many different strands that I couldn't really map out from listening to the audio version.

There are some touching details and extended digressions that are interesting, and there is a lovely reveal at the end, but somehow it didn't add up to anything greater than its parts.

I enjoyed listening to the narrator of this book. She read with a gentle tone that was pleasant to the ear. There was no music that I can remember but that didn’t feel necessary.
The tale was told in a mixture of a written letter intertwined with fairy tales. It was a truly magical story following the life of a young girl who grew up to be the greatest funambulist that ever lived. Born out of the rape of her Polish mother on her escape from a concentration camp, neglected by that same woman and her husband, losing the friend who brought her up after losing her own daughter; it’s hardly a happy tale. Yet it is somehow beautiful in its misery. And, don’t get me wrong, there are happy events just as in reality we must have balance. The end is far from sad. I loved this book.

A Girl Made of Air by Nydia Hetherington
Narrated by: Natalie Pela
Publication Date: September 3, 2020
.
Description from NetGalley...
“This is the story of The Greatest Funambulist Who Ever Lived...

Born into a post-war circus family, our nameless star was unwanted and forgotten, abandoned in the shadows of the big top. Until the bright light of Serendipity Wilson threw her into focus.

Now an adult, haunted by an incident in which a child was lost from the circus, our narrator, a tightrope artiste, weaves together her spellbinding tales of circus legends, earthy magic and folklore, all in the hope of finding the child... But will her story be enough to bring the pair together again?”
.
Thank you to @NetGalley @hachetteaudio @quercusbooks for the digital audiobook ARC in return for my honest review.
.
My thoughts...
The narrator was good and fitted well with the story. However, I didn’t connect with any of the characters and I did not appreciate the trauma-inducing scenes that could have been written in a different way but just as impactful. The first-person narrative didn’t work for me, the stories felt convoluted and mixed-up. I wanted it to be more magical and alluring as described, but it fell short. Overall, I listened to each chapter like short stories, because it was written well enough. And I liked the “folk stories” told in between the main story.
Note: Trigger Warning!

I was mesmerised by this book and I felt like it cast a spell over me from the very first page. I was sucked into the magical realism and beautifully lyrical prose but most of all I loved the moody, desperate, and bleak reflections of Mouse’s life.

I also learnt a new word - funambulist, which means tightrope walker.

This book reads like a fictional memoir. We follow the life of Mouse, the neglected child of a circus performer and ringmaster through diary entries, newspaper clippings, postcards and interviews.

Set in post-war England in a small and grimy circus community, I loved the atmosphere of suffocation the author created.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this having struggled with and ultimately not finishing The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern - a book that has been linked to this one more than once. The main difference for me was the cohesive storyline. The Starless Sea lacked direction and was filled with beautiful but confusing imagery where A Girl Made of Air felt logical. The sense of magic and wonder came from the characters and their folklore and it avoided overly descriptive paragraphs.

I loved how the writing was gorgeously lyrical with some absolutely beautiful passages, but the plot remained firmly planted in reality. And the contrast between the textual filigree and the underlying dark themes really gave an extra dimension.

I thought the narration fit perfectly with the story. Natalie Pela captured the emotional stoicism of downtrodden Mouse, and she effortlessly moved between various accents with perfect pacing.

Around half way through the plot changed and it subtlety morphed into a mystery. This invigorated my interest and provided a really interesting change of setting.

The reveal at the end wasn’t overly original and I ended up picking it a fair way out, but it didn’t detract too much from my overall enjoyment.

I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a distinctly dark and somber feel.

A lovely, melancholy tale about the World’s Greatest Funambulist.
Beautifully written, it has everything - history, adventure, tragedy and magic. I was transported.
I look forward to reading more by this author.
I listened to the audiobook version and was thrilled with Mouse’s Northern accent. Inspired and refreshing.

This was a really enjoyable book to listen to. The characters were all beautifully described and I especially loved the main character. Filled with magic, sorrow, joy and historical fiction it has the great makings of an enchanting story. The end was unexpected which is always amazing!

Thank you to netgalley.co.uk for giving me a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for a fair and honest review.

To be honest, if this wasn't in audiobook format I probably would have skipped this one. But I am glad I listened to this one. I enjoyed the blend of historical fiction and magical realism in this one. I was hooked to this book from the very first chapter. This book was pure escapism for me and wonderfully written. I loved the characters in this one.

Oh how I wanted to love this book! It promised magic and adventure, mystery and myth and I couldn't wait to open a page and find myself in a circus filled with quirky characters - where the impossible is possible. Unfortunately, like the a certain funambulist, my experience of this book fell a bit short of my expectations.

I listened to the audiobook (very kindly provided by Netgalley) and maybe the narration and delivery just didn't work for me, but I never felt invested in any of the characters. The dialogue was stilted and didn't feel natural. The story dragged in places and involved great detail (like an icky, rather disturbing 'love scene') and other times felt rushed - especially towards to end.

I really enjoyed the myths and stories dispersed between the main plot, and felt the investment I craved when we learned about Marina's past. It was written well - albeit a bit scattered. Maybe if I'd gone into this with lower expectations I would have enjoyed it more.

This book was not the book I expected it to be. When I read the blurb of it, I immediately thought of the Night Circus and expected a magical tale woven into this story of a beautiful Funambulist. Except, that's not what this was at all. Yes, the stories of the circus were rich with detail, but they lost the magic. Sure, everyone is flawed, I think that's something the author was trying to get, that even those at a circus are not these star studded magic creatures that we maybe consider them as, but if you're going to write a story about a circus I want to be swept away by the magic.

The plot felt a bit ploddy to me, I listened to this as an audiobook and it was beautifully recorded, but I didn't like most of the characters. Was I meant to? And because of that I wasn't invested. I didn't feel drawn to them. I wasn't shocked by the ending, was I supposed to be?

This had potential. I was ready to be wept away into the magic and beauty of the circus. I was ready to fall in love with the Greatest Funambulist Who Ever Lived, I didn't. Which was a shame.

When I saw the plot of this book, I needed to read it ASAP! I am so thankful for a review copy of this book. This book involves both fantasy and historical fiction which is a very interesting mix of genres. I enjoyed this as I have not read enough historical ficiton. The circus setting was well designed and the world building was fab. There was an air of mystery which made me hooked to the story.
“Everyone is the star of their own show, performing for the passing, faceless crowds. We are all clowns.” This quote sums up the story in my opinion. There are so many characters to get to know and a mysterious plot.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for the opportunity to read this arc.

This story was absolutely beautiful. Created through letters, stories and the narrator and main character's words, I was completely encaptured and immersed in the tale of the woman with flame-like hair and a young child that got away.

It was so interesting to read the setting of the circus that the narrator, nicknamed Mouse by those of the circus, has provided. And a life in which she feels alone until Serenity Williams walks into her life and changes it forever.

The characterisation and character growth within this book is absolutely impeccable. Even the side characters such as Mouse's parents and the other circus actors all felt like they belonged to the story and had something to share and contribute.

This is such a beautiful book of a Fumbalmentalist in a world where she once felt like she didn't belong, now chasing the ghosts that have completely changed her life.

The audio narration truly made reading the story a wonderful experience. As the story is told through letters, stories and, the main characters own recollection and memory, it worked really well in its setting. By the end, it felt so much more personal and enchanting to read and finish.

I'm very grateful to have been given the chance to listen and read this book in return for my honest review. I'll be keeping an eye out in all stores near me to buy more own copy because I honestly loved the story so much.

Life in the circus.
This is a rather sad tale centering around an unwanted daughter who lives in a run-down travelling circus. I could imagine her, unwashed and unloved, hiding under the wagons just hoping for a sign of recognition from her parents. Fortunately, things improve when Serendipity Wilson joins the circus. Serendipity Wilson is a high wire act, a funambulist, who teaches 'Mouse' the tricks of the trade. Mouse practices constantly and eventually becomes skilled on the wire.
Life in the circus is tough and complicated, and Mouse learns information about herself that she could never have guessed. I don't want to say too much more about the plot however, and spoil it for other readers.

I enjoyed the varied characters and thought the narrator, Natalie Pela, did a great job, five stars to her.
My main issue with the book was the fairy-tale morality stories, supposedly told by Serendipity Wilson, that popped up during the narrative, I'm afraid I found them irritating and rather unnecessary.

While I did enjoy this, I recognise that anyone setting a book in the circus has two tough acts to follow: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern and Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. I wonder if my expectations were therefore unreasonably high.
This is the author's debut novel and will certainly be interested to see what she comes up with next.

A Girl Made of Air is the story of Mouse, born unwanted by her parents but finds a home in Serendipity Wilson and the circus where she learns to become The Greatest Funambulist Who Ever Lived. This is a debut novel from Nydia Hetherington and is a dark and lyrical tale of the darkness behind the curtains of the circus.

I was nervous picking this book up, because despite it sounding wonderful, historical fiction is not a genre I have read much of. I have read a total of one book about a circus before this one, that being The Night Circus, and I had heard A Girl Made of Air was to have a similar essence to that story but I can't help but disagree. I feel that A Girl Made of Air has a lot more going on than The Night Circus, and the characters were more developed and real. It is a dark story with a lot of sorrow. You are present with Mouse through it all. The only part of the circus you ever see is the glitz and the wonder and I like how A Girl Made of Air shows the grime and the sour sides that a customer would never.

I felt for Mouse, whose name you never learn, and how her life someone could assume from the outside should have been wondrous and happy, but instead is harsh. How her parents should have loved her, but they didn't. And how all of these things can break a person, and make her the timid and awkward person she becomes behind the brilliant Funambulist front. The cast of characters that surround her are also so robust and feel real, which makes listening to the story unfold wonderful.

My favourite thing about this novel was the way in which it was written. I love mixed media in books and Nydia has woven the story through the narrative of Mouse, tales from Serendipity Wilson and diary entries. I think having a story told this way is a more interactive way of reading. Nydia has a wonderfully floral writing style that ties it all together and really allows the reader or listener to be completely enveloped in the world.

It is a wonderful first novel from Nydia and I have no doubt her next novel will be just as special.

My rating: 3.5/5

Nydia Hetherington’s ‘A Girl Made of Air’ is a very atmospheric debut exploring a lot of heavy issues. I started the audiobook with different expectations, having seen that ‘A Girl Made of Air’ has been said to be perfect for fans of Angela Carter and Erin Morgenstern. While in that, ‘A Girl Made of Air’ has not met my expectations, I still have enjoyed Nydia Hetherington’s book.

‘A Girl Made of Air’ follows Mouse, the Greatest Funambulist Who Ever Lived, who born into a circus family in the UK, is a child lost in the shadows. Her mother doesn’t really want her around, and it is not until much later in the story, the reader learns why Marina, Mouse’s mother, is so haunted by her daughter’s mere existence. Taken under the wings of Serendipity Wilson, herself a funambulist in the circus, Mouse finds her artistic side. There have been wonderful moments that felt almost lyrical in the book – especially thanks to the wonderful reader, Natalie Pela, who has narrated the story – and yet I felt that something was missing. Despite being called the Greatest Funambulist Who Ever Lived, circus performance is not a focus of ‘A Girl Made of Air’. Nydia Hetherington in her debut deals with many heavy topics, referring to World War II and concentration camps amongst others, making the story darker and more hunting.

Part of me wished that the story had some magical realism/fantasy elements which I have expected when I first heard about the book, and yet, the atmosphere of ‘A Girl Made of Air’ had some kind of magical air to it – the stories by Serendipity Wilson, which Mouse recalls, have certain folklore or darker fairytale atmosphere to them, and they were the part I have enjoyed the most in Nydia Hetherington’s book.

Told through letters, interview, memoirs and stories, ‘A Girl Made of Air’ is a lot of things. There have been moments I absolutely loved, and others that haven’t been that convincing for me. But I think Natalie Pela narrating the audiobook has made the book better for me, and I have enjoyed it more as a result.

My thanks to Hachette Audio U.K./Quercus Audio for the audiobook edition for review via NetGalley of ‘A Girl Made of Air’ by Nydia Hetherington. It was narrated by Natalie Pela and has a run length of 12 hours, 38 minutes at 1x.

I try to approach novels with few expectations but the prepublication buzz comparing this debut novel with the writings of Angela Carter and Erin Morgenstern did catch my eye and heightened my feelings of anticipation.

However, it was quickly clear that this novel was not a work of fantasy or magical realism in strict terms. Yes, there are mentions of faeries and a number of fantastical tales, based on Manx folklore, that are incorporated into the narrative. Yet these on their own don’t equate to fantasy in my view.

Rather I class this as a work of literary historical fiction with elements of folklore. It is set after WWII and chronicles the life of a woman described as The Greatest Funambulist Who Ever Lived. I had never heard this term before and had to look it up - it’s the formal term for a tightrope walker. I have a fear of heights so even the thought of tightrope walking makes me nervous. I tried to read through my chills.

We never learn our narrator’s name, only the nickname given to her by members of the circus family that she was born into - Mouse. Her mother, Marina, was the star of the show yet she never wanted Mouse and basically ignores her existence. Mouse grows up unloved in the shadows.

Then the flamboyant, flame haired, Serendipity Wilson, a talented tightrope artist joins the circus. Serendipity Wilson becomes a mentor to Mouse and trains her to walk the high wire. Events happen, some tragic. There are horrific revelations. Later, as an adult, Mouse leaves the U.K. and relocates to the USA becoming part of the Coney Island community of boardwalk performers. Still, Mouse is haunted by the memory of the child, named Bunny, who was lost to the circus.

In the present of the novel, following her retirement from public life, she is reaching out through an interview weaving together her memories of the circus with stories of earthy magic and folklore, in the hope of finding Bunny.

This was a beautifully written, fascinating tale. As noted above, I quickly set aside my prior expectations and just settled in and enjoyed the novel for what it was.

I would have loved to learn more of Mouse’s later career as a cabaret star and her celebrity exploits that were only mentioned in passing as these were apparently well known to her audience. Not to us, Mouse!

It is a novel that is quite bleak in places though Nydia Hetherington’s lyrical prose elevated even these darker aspects. Her descriptions throughout were very vivid bringing the novel’s characters and setting to life, including the circus animals Mouse loves. I was especially fond of Solomon, the llama.

In terms of its audiobook edition, Natalie Pela has a lovely voice and was well suited to narrate Mouse’s story. It made for a rich listening experience that complimented my reading of the text.

Following this impressive debut, I certainly will be looking forward to Nydia Hetherington’s future projects.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

I was really disappointed with this, it was compared to other books I am a big fan of and it set high expectations - mainly expected it to be magical and it wasn't and I kept thinking it would get better and it didn't.

There were a few really good bits, the tales of the fairies with the jug of water was really interesting but to be honest I didn't really get where it came from or how it related to the book.

The narrator was okay - but I honestly think even the best of narrators would have struggled to make this an interesting listen.

A Girl Made of Air

I don’t know why books like this are marketed as being for fans of other great reads rather than exciting and new in themselves. Comparing this novel to The Night Circus and Wise Children is both misleading and disappointing. It has neither the magic nor the expertly crafted writing.

It’s an interesting novel in its own right. Mouse is an odd and unreliable narrator. Sadly I never warmed to her as a character, I’m not sure why, but I felt the book would have been better written in the third person. I struggled with the story as I’d lost interest in the main character.

I love folk tales within a story and I enjoyed the parts where Serendipity Wilson told her stories although it felt a little out of place, like it hadn’t been completely blended into the book.

For me it wasn’t as much of a circus novel as I expected but rather a good historical fiction with a strong character thread. I did really struggle to get through it and ended up with both the ebook and audiobook through netgalley.

The audiobook definitely helped. The narration was good and fit the story well. I just think it wasn’t the book for me.

A famous funambulist tells the story of her life to an interviewer, from beginning in an English circus to Coney Island and stardom. As the book unfolds, we learn there is more to the main character’s (known only as Mouse) motivation.

There’s a whole host of interesting supporting characters such as Serendipity Wilson, Marina and Manu. In fact, as their backgrounds are revealed I couldn’t help but feel the book would have been better focusing on one of them, in particular Marina and her challenging life. Mouse by comparison doesn’t quite have the same sparkle to her, something that she acknowledges in the book but supposedly overcomes in her later years, though that part of her life story is barely covered.

I enjoyed some of the scenes set in the circus and hearing the legends that have arisen around the characters but was hoping for some more fantasy. The narrative is interspersed with fairytales from Serendipity Wilson’s childhood, I usually enjoy this sort of thing but found them a bit artificial and lacking in this case. This book was a bit darker at times than I had been expecting, this made for some interesting turns but it never quite seemed to flow.

The big reveal at the end also failed to surprise me, after the midpoint of the book it did all become a bit predictable. The elements I had enjoyed the most went by the wayside or became secondary factors and the second half was a bit harder to get through.

I’ve still given it three stars as I really enjoyed some of the characters and the initial setting. The overall story was solid but was just lacking in that extra bit of magic (figuratively and perhaps literally) I would have liked to make it all the more unique.

I listened to the audiobook version, the narrator very easy to listen to and did a great job with accents and voices.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this was going to be a magical fantasy but it is a lot darker than I expected. The audio format worked really well as it is written as tales interviews, news, journals and letters. This format usually confuses me but as an audiobook it worked really well and the narration was amazing.
The story itself I struggled with, I wasn’t really interested or invested. I wish there was more like the descriptions of tightrope walking but this book also goes into the sexual encounters which I really didn’t like. They almost made me stop reading. I was expecting it to be more about a circus but it’s darker, there’s secrets and it shows a darker side of human nature. I think one of the other reasons I didn’t enjoy it much as I thought was because I’d built it up in my head as a fun circus story. There’s trauma on this book and I know people will enjoy it but it just wasn’t for me.
Overall the audio was amazing and I liked the narrator. I also thought it worked really well as an audiobook. I would recommend this to people who like darker fiction.