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MNHQ

Book giveaway this week: Mouse and the Cossack by Paul Wilson

33 replies

RachelMumsnet · 30/05/2013 13:14

If you fancy getting your hands on an early copy of Paul Wison's latest, Mouse and the Cossack, apply for one of 50 free copies.

A beautiful, heartbreaking mystery about Mouse, a young girl who has lost her voice. When she moves with her mother to a deserted farmhouse, she becomes intrigued by the traces of the previous inhabitant?s life there and uncovers his secret wartime past ? Paul Wilson is a winner of the Portico Prize for Literature for Do White Whales Sing at the Edge of the World? All those who are allocated copies will be notified next week and once again, please do post your feedback (or ask your Dcs to feedback) on this thread.

OP posts:
Beardys · 30/05/2013 22:05

i would love to read this story it soundsbeautiful but im not to sure what i have to do to qualify?

jamaisjedors · 05/06/2013 14:43

Great - Just found out I am getting a copy.

But is this an adult book or one for the DCs ("or ask your DCs to feedback")?

Thanks - looking forward to receiving it.

MNHQ
LaraMumsnet · 05/06/2013 15:41

@Beardys

i would love to read this story it soundsbeautiful but im not to sure what i have to do to qualify?

Hi Beardys,
This giveaway has now closed, but for future reference just click on the link that says 'apply for one of 50 free copies' and that will take you to the giveaway page. Also once the giveaway has closed, we do add a link that takes you to Amazon where you can buy a copy of the book.

MNHQ
LaraMumsnet · 05/06/2013 15:45

@jamaisjedors

Great - Just found out I am getting a copy.

But is this an adult book or one for the DCs ("or ask your DCs to feedback")?

Thanks - looking forward to receiving it.

Hi Jamaisjedors,
This book is a children's book, I hope you and your DC enjoy reading it Smile

hermancakedestroyer · 05/06/2013 20:15

Great stuff! Have just found out that I am getting a copy of Mouse and the Cossack! My DCs and I are looking forward to its arrival.
Thank you Thanks

MissStrawberry · 10/06/2013 17:11

I received this today, thank you.

I have started reading it and then it dawned on me maybe it is meant for my child. Can anyone advise me as to what age as so far I would be happy for her to read it but obviously I have only read the first handful of chapters.

MissStrawberry · 10/06/2013 17:14
margop · 10/06/2013 18:31

I have also started reading this (only just) and think I will just carry on with it - according to google its age range 15+ so I will be giving this a go (even though if it was 15x2 I'd still be too old!!)

jamaisjedors · 10/06/2013 21:13

Oh, it wasn't very clear on the giveaway otherwise I would never have signed up for it - I don't have a teenage DC!

But I will read it as an English teacher and give you my professional opinion I suppose...

jamaisjedors · 10/06/2013 21:16

Just read the blurb again on the giveaway and it definitely doesn't say it's a children's book, in fact the quote which made me apply for a copy was:

"Could this be a Lancashire Garcia Márquez with a warm, sing-song accent?' Literary Review "

I feel a bit bad now that I have got a free book under false pretences but I honestly thought from the webpage that it was an adult fiction book.

Now I come to think of it, I have applied for other book giveaways before and not been sure of the age range.

lottietiger · 12/06/2013 19:02

Just received this book to review :) it sounds good so ill be back to review as soon as i have read... from the cover and the write up though it doesnt seem like a childrens book...

tinypumpkin · 13/06/2013 21:18

I have to say that I really don't think this is a child's book. It is about grief and guilt I think. Perfect, both have dominated my life for the past three and a half years, Food for thought. Thank you MN for the book :)

MissStrawberry · 13/06/2013 21:30

When do we have to post the review by? I haven't had time to read for the last few days and realistically it will be Wednesday before I get time again.

So far, an interesting book, little bit confused at the moment but think I will enjoy it immensely once I actually get to read more of it.

halcyondays · 13/06/2013 22:05

Thanks, I've received my book. Must admit, I thought this was a book for young children when I applied for it, just from the title. I don't have qny teenagers.Will happily read it myself though.

carrots14 · 14/06/2013 09:43

Thank you so much for my copy of Mouse and the Cossacks by Paul Wilson. It is a heart touching story twisting the lives of two individuals who both suffered trauma through no fault of their own. Mouse can no longer speak and wishes to hide away from the world. William is wracked with guilt. I didn't want to put the book down until the answers were solved. I must mention the book cover too, the jacket has delightful flaps which I used as bookmarks and the embossed cover was lovely and tactile.

Cambam2010 · 17/06/2013 12:10

I have only just started reading this. I would not say that it was aimed at children. One of the main characters is writing as a child but the content is perhaps aimed at a mature teen and adults.

From what I have read so far, it appears to be a heart warming story combining different generations.

I too must comment on the cover. The flaps do indeed make great book marks!

SunshinePanda · 18/06/2013 18:56

Both teenage DD and I enjoyed this book. It was well written and thought provoking although the ending seemed abrupt. I would look out for other books from the author as a result of reading this book. Thank you.

Pozzled · 18/06/2013 22:13

Posting to say thank you for the book. I haven't had a great deal of time to read it yet, but I'm a few chapters in and really enjoying it. l love the character of Mouse, and the way the author draws you in- so many unanswered questions. I'm really looking forward to reading on.

weathermum · 19/06/2013 10:07

I have just finished reading this book...many thanks for the free copy
I was impressed by the product cover it was embosssed and part of it could be used as a book mark which was handy, I find this adds to my delight and enjoyment in reading.
The story I felt was cleverly written but the factual parts were so very sad it contained facts I was unaware of and found hard to believe but I am sure are really true. Very thought provoking.

cookiemonster66 · 20/06/2013 15:52

Thanks for the book! I also found the flaps of the cover handy for book marks but found it quite hard to open the book, the spine was very hard, got arm ache trying to keep it open! or maybe i am a weakling! LOL!

Anyway back to the book - it was a 'nice' story about a little girl called mouse who did not talk, who looked after her mum after a family tragedy. They moved into a house previously lived in by William who was involved in the war and mouse decided to immerse herself into his world as a way of escaping her own life. All the way through I was waiting for something to happen, and by mid book I was finding it a bit of chore to motivate to keep myself interested. It also jumped around alot. Dont get me wrong it is a 'nice' story and beautifully written and composed but it didnt grab me or keep my interest but I pushed myself to finish it in case it finally got to the point, which it did finally have some closure and explanation at the end then ended suddenly. Sorry not really my cuppa tea! Brew

firawla · 21/06/2013 09:59

I haven't had a chance to finish the whole book yet (slow reader at times the dcs dont give me a chance to read!!) but so far i am enjoying it. having a non verbal child myself its interesting to have a non verbal character here. I think it was advertised as a teenage or young adult book but I am finding it no different than any adult books, it is longer than I was expecting actually. It's written in a pretty easy to follow way not massively over complicated but it is like an adult book

tinypumpkin · 23/06/2013 23:41

Another one who is slow to read due to small children and work demands on my time. I am making progress though and I am enjoying the book so far. It is thought provoking and do agree that it is an adult rather than teenage book. Quite hard going and sad in places but that is an observation rather than a criticism.

Definitely something I would have chosen myself and I will look out for more from this author in the future. Off to read some more....

Ps - I also love the cover :D

MissStrawberry · 25/06/2013 20:25

I finished this today as I was sat at the garage for 2 hours and this is my further comment.

I found it took a while to get into it and tbh if I wasn't reading it to review on here I could have quite possibly given up. I found it confusing having different people telling the story and for the last few chapters I only read Mouse's chapters.

I did want to finish it in the end to see what happened to Mouse and to be honest just 8 hours later I have forgotten most of the ending.

I liked Mouse. I forgot she was only eleven.

I would like guidance as to the minimum age for a child to read.

MissStrawberry · 25/06/2013 20:26

I did enjoy William's chapters.

maryburrows · 28/06/2013 17:03

Definitely a crossover - teenage/adult book. If you have read "The Curious Incident of The Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon- it is asimilar book- designed to help understanding of people who can not speak and the reasons for it and the problems they experience.(That one was about autism).It is a thoughtful and deep book about our need for forgiveness and our need to forgive ourselves and others- as we all do things we shouldn't and the problems caused if we don't. The one flaw from my point of view is that Mouse definitely isn't a credible eleven year old- make her more realistically at least 15yrs- it would require a thoughtful older teenager and experienced reader to appreciate this book (or an adult).