2 September 1851; In Which Mrs Popplewell Forms an Opinion of Flights and Chimes and Mysterious Times

Flights and Chimes and Mysterious Times by Emma Trevayne

Genre: Fantasy, Middle Grade

Published: 13 May 2014, by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

Purchased: 14 August 1851, from Mr. Doe's Bookshop

Recommended? Not quite

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Dear Prudence,

Had I known you possessed such attachment to my letters, I would have written a handful, to keep you from idleness while I went about my daily business. A woman such as myself holds many important social commitments. As it stands, I am writing a recollection of the letter you were meant to receive this past week. Contrary to what you may believe, I did not forget you, dear. I sent it with Lucy when she came round to collect your dish. This was my first mistake. I am surprised the poor girl was able to safely return to your cottage. She seemed to have been walking in the incorrect direction when I sent her on her way.

In other news, Prudie, I fear my initial estimation of Mr Doe may have been correct. He has misled me, you see, for Flights and Chimes and Mysterious Times is a child’s book! Not a book fit for a woman of my age and position in society. The nerve of that man to mock me. Does he think me incapable of appreciating an adult title?

I did still read it. I am not completely unreasonable.

As if to add insult, the book, despite Mr Doe's urging, is not at all set in London. It starts that way, Prudie, and for a time I thought it would stay that way. For quite a very long time, in fact, for the adventure doesn’t seem to start until a very many pages into the volume.

I must admit, I put it down a fair number of times to work on my needlepoint or tend to some mending (rather, look over Martha’s mending for any mistakes--a woman like myself never does do her own mending). When one knows an adventure is imminent, I wonder why the author took so much time pretending it wasn’t.

Once the young lad in the story started his adventure, however, my interest held fast. What an imaginative world Ms Trevayne has painted! Very much like our own London, but powered by steam and with frightening demonic people walking about! I was very much taken by the mystery and intrigue encountered in this hellish land.

Such a shame about the ending. I felt a bit dissatisfied with it, Prudie, for I had invested so much time in this boy and this world, I felt I’d earned a bit of an explanation.

Ms Trevayne writes with a dreamy tone, as if she were sure these words would live on to be repeated for years to come. They have a faery tale like quality to them, which I found charming at first but tired of rather quickly.

I would offer you my copy, Prudie, but as I have mentioned, the cover speaks to me in a way. I will add it to my collection of very pretty, very neglected books.

Yours truly,

Gertrude Popplewell