Robert Dinsdale

Do you remember when you believed in magic? An enchanting, magical novel set in a mysterious toyshop - perfect for fans of Erin Morgenstern's The Night Circus and Stephanie Garber's Caraval by way of Jessie Burton's The Miniaturist It is 1917, and while war wages across Europe, in the heart of London, there is a place of hope and enchantment. The Emporium sells toys that capture the imagination of children and adults alike: patchwork dogs that seem alive, toy boxes that are bigger on the inside, soldiers that can fight battles of their own. Into this family business comes young Cathy Wray, running away from a shameful past. The Emporium takes her in, makes her one of its own. But Cathy is about to discover that the Emporium has secrets of its own... 'engaging and enchanting ... a fairytale for adults, with all the wonder – and terror – that that entails...it is the sense of joy that lingers in this fine book.' The Observer An EBook Number 1 bestseller with over 400 5* reviews - readers are enchanted by this magic tale: 'If you only buy one book this year - buy this one' 'As if Terry Pratchett has come back to life Disney Toy Story style' 'Best book I've read for many years' 'A book to lose yourself in'

The Toymakers

The Emporium opens with the first frost of winter. It is the same every year. Across the city, when children wake to see ferns of white stretched across their windows, or walk to school to hear ice crackling underfoot, the whispers begin: the Emporium is open! Christmas is coming, and the goose is getting fat...It is 1917, and London has spent years in the shadow of the First World War. In the heart of Mayfair, though, there is a place of hope. A place where children's dreams can come true, where the impossible becomes possible - that place is Papa Jack's Toy Emporium. For years Papa Jack has created and sold his famous magical toys: hobby horses, patchwork dogs and bears that seem alive, toy boxes bigger on the inside than out, 'instant trees' that sprout from boxes, tin soldiers that can fight battles on their own. Now his sons, Kaspar and Emil, are just old enough to join the family trade. Into this family comes a young Cathy Wray - homeless and vulnerable. The Emporium takes her in, makes her one of its own. But Cathy is about to discover that while all toy shops are places of wonder, only one is truly magical...

Elisa Bieg

This book.
I am deeply annoyed at this book.

It starts out so magical, and the first 100 or so pages are beautiful and reminiscent of The Night Circus in that peculiar blend of historical fiction and magical realism, featuring a set of realistic and yet peculiarly compelling characters.

And then it devolves, becomes a tale of sadness and loss, and we lose the characters we so loved to... something. True, one could consider that tragedy is part of a story and plays a role in character development; and yet when the characters devolve as the story’s premise does, *is* that character development, really?

So the entire premise and beautiful world building and characterization of the fists 100 pages is slowly undone and turned on its head, leaving me bereft. What just happened?

But let’s just say that this is how this particular story develops, and let’s chalk up my objections to personal preference. 
Even allowing for that, the last 1/3 of the book.... it’s a tragedy. The story suddenly goes in a very... unexpected (as in “nonsensical”, rather than “surprising and intriguing”) direction, and so it continues until then end, but not before further unmaking of the world building that had so enchanted me at the beginning.

I just... I don’t understand. This is a mishmash of three very different tales, and the compound effect is jarring. I miss the book I feel I was promised 😢

2 1/2 STARS.

Sonja H

Dieses Buch begann so wundervoll und vielversprechend: ein riesiger, magischer Spielzeugladen und ein Mädchen, das dort ihr neues Zuhause findet – so unglaublich schön und gefühlvoll geschrieben. Man taucht sofort ein in diese verzauberte Welt, die man sich für die eigene Kindheit auch gewünscht hätte. Man möchte darin verschwinden, träumen,…

Wären da nicht alle die Kleinigkeiten, die dieses Bild trüben.

Zunächst einmal die Protagonistin Cathy. Ich fand es toll, dass sie den Mut hatte, in ihrer Situation sich aus der Sicherheit ihres Elternhauses zu begeben und in eine unbekannte Welt aufzubrechen, um auf eigenen Beinen zu stehen und ihr Leben selbst in die Hand zu nehmen. Doch später ist davon kaum noch etwas übrig. Sie geht unter in diesem riesigen Haus, gerät zwischen die Fronten der Brüder und ist letzten Endes nur ein Spielball im Geschehen.

Überhaupt: Krieg, Rivalität, Kampf – das sind die großen Themen in diesem Roman, so „zauberhaft“ die Geschichte auch erscheinen mag. Eltern, die nicht anecken wollen, die die Auseinandersetzung scheuen und ihre Tochter nicht unterstützen können, weil sie nicht wollen. Zwei Brüder im dauernden Wettbewerb darum, wer das beste Spielzeug baut. Der Vater, der das wohl erkennt, aber nicht eingreift. Immer wieder habe ich ärgerlich den Kopf geschüttelt und die Menschlichkeit gesucht, die in dieser behüteten Welt wenigstens vor dem Krieg draußen hätte zutage treten sollen.

Dann kommt der „richtige“ Krieg, der wie erwartet Menschen verändert. Und an dieser Stelle nahm das Buch seltsame Züge an, es driftete für meinen Geschmack viel zu plötzlich und zu weit ins Phantastische ab, was auch das Ende nicht mehr retten konnte.

Eine toll geschriebene Story, die aber für mich leider zu viele schlecht konstruierte Elemente aufwies.

Dark, enchanting and utterly gripping'

Chloe

I really loved Cathy as a character, her growth and strength was amazing to read. The magic system was really interesting and charming, especially the doll house and I enjoyed the few descriptions we got of the toy shop owners past (I forget his name, it’s been like a year since I read this.) and OMG the fact that the antagonist of the book was one of the sweetest people Cathy met when she first arrived at the toy shop was really cool to see! But it was also kinda sad to see how he changed. 

Samantha Shepherd 

Imie Kent-Muller

This book has been raved about to no end on Instagram, and generally online. However, what caught my attention was a review comparing this to one of my favourite books: The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern. I was lucky enough that my request was granted so that I could give this book a go. I originally planned only to read a chapter before bed, but before I knew it I finished the book at 4:30 am and was in love. The raving was for good reason – this book is extraordinary.

You can read my full review on my blog but this story is a beautiful one of forgiveness, jealousy, war, family, love, growth, and a touch of magic. Dinsdale explores commentaries on humanity and choice through this magical toyshop that really hit you in the soul. I would recommend it to everyone and I would give it way more stars than just five!


https://mythicreader.wordpress.com/20...

Grace O'Callaghan

*3.5 ⭐️

The Toymakers is a whimsical tale of war, loss and childhood. It’s in the same vain as The Night Circus and in the beginning, I thought I was going to love it just as much.

I adored Robert Dinsdale’s writing style. It’s just so incredibly whimsy and the perfect fit for such a magical story. It also used second person narration (like The Night Circus) which I really loved. It’s also an incredibly atmospheric book. I could picture everything perfectly. Even all the impossible things described.

I found the characters to be a little boring in all honesty. I don’t necessarily have to care about the characters I read but they have to at least be interesting, and these were fine, but nothing special. I think Emile was quite fascinating. It was great to see the lengths he’d go to save the Emporium.
I did also like the romance, but it just felt too rushed and not really believable.

And because the characters weren’t that compelling, the only thing that drove the story was the Emporium. But there wasn’t any plot. There was this idea to make a story involving a magical toy shop, but no direction to take it in really. I loved the beginning and I did like the ending, but for a lot of the middle I was bored.

The themes explored in the book are what really stand out to me. It takes place over a number of years and during two world wars and it was nice to see the effects of the war on the characters. It was a very nostalgic read as obviously childhood is brought up a lot. As some of the characters grow up they still act childish at times, probably because they live in a toy shop.

All in all, a magical and atmospheric read with a slow plot and okay characters. For fans do The Night Circus and a good Christmas read. I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re not into magical realism and things that don’t make sense.

Jennifer

This is enchanting, magical, and mind-blowing. An alluring historical fiction that takes me back to London in Christmastime. This is the story of not just toys & legacies but also the psychology of the trying times, what it meant to be a kid, and all the spectrum of emotions one could imagine. It's all remarkably packaged with a beautifully written prose (the kind of writing style that drew me into books such as The Night Circus and The Starless Sea). I felt like a kid again and it also felt like Christmas in August while I was reading this in the bed recuperating from physical exhaustion. I think words fail me now but this is amazing and truly underrated. I highy recommend this for anyone who wants a dash of magic right now!

5/5

Dani Pesayco

Book Review:

Title: "The Toymakers"
Author: Robert Dinsdale
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction

Brief Description: It's Christmas 1906. Cathy Wray runs away from her childhood home and a shameful life in hopes of changing her fate. Turns out that fate has indeed planned well for her as she finds her feet bringing her to Papa Jack's Emporium in London. There she meets the brothers Kaspar and Emil Godman, sons of the infamous Papa Jack—all three are Toymakers in their own regard. In this saga (yes, a saga) of a book spanning the course of the two World Wars and beyond, their lives will be intertwined with each other because in the Emporium aisles, you can never keep a secret. And as boys will be boys, Kaspar and Emil wage their own Long War over the years to come, winning over the hearts of children with their toys, or maybe even just the heart of one girl.

Rating: 3⭐ out of 5

Review:

I know, I know—even the description I wrote sounds magical enough to warrant maybe even a higher rating. I really didn't want to give this 3 stars, but I don't think it deserves more or less; it's just right smack in the middle for me.

Let me start with the issues:

1) The Prose...
...was waaaaaay too difficult to digest properly. Don't get me wrong, Dinsdale is an eloquent writer with a great tone. The start was very strong, a good indicator for me because I was immediately hooked two chapters in. He wrote Cathy with such intrigue that made me root for her from the first page.

However, as the book progressed and we slowly get introduced to the Emporium and its cast of characters, I found myself getting distracted by the verbosity of the passages especially when it came to the world-building. With too many wonderful things happening, let's just say that there could've been things best left to the imagination. Because of this, it took the first 150-something out of 408 pages (according to the settings of my iPad) for me to slowly buildup the interest that once hooked me to this book.

2) The Characters...
...were one-dimensional. I saw reviews of people saying that the characters were complex and well-built. I blatantly disagree. I found them to be my biggest dilemma with the whole thing. As I neared the end, I realized that the book's main anchor was the perspectives and POVs of all its characters, and if their characters were flat, then yes, the plot would be flat as well.

I don't want to expound on it because this would turn into a full-on essay, but let's just say that there were no round characters in the story. Cathy, being the main POV, was the most well-rounded character and was enough to keep me interested. Everyone else was just...eh. Characters were also placed ever so strategically just to serve as mere plot devices (I feel so sorry for you guys). And finally—No. Character. Growth. I'm disappointed just writing this.

3) The Plot...
...was contrived. Some events just didn't make sense to me—like they were just put there for the sake of the plot and the story moving forward. The buildup was non-existent, the tension just wasn't enough, and the relief wasn't particularly relieving. I expected a story full of twists and turns that made me guessing with every page. Instead, I got unnecessary passages of text with some awkward dialogue, plot devices that happen out of nowhere, and characters I couldn't root for as much as I wanted to.

But. Let me tell you its one redeeming quality:

The Story...
...is indeed magical and enchanting. Dinsdale may have been overly wordy, but there were sweet spots where he captured the child-like charm of the Emporium where you wish you could be transported there on opening night with the first frost in London. The characters may have been flat, but they made me wish I was them, running around the Emporium and falling in love with the passion in everyone's eyes. The plot was contrived, but the story it held was powerful and emotional, played out by people who have experienced both the best and the worst in their lives.

Honestly, this is the single reason why I kept reading this book. Every chapter had a story to tell. All my main complaints were really just /how/ that story was told, which left me feeling that there's still much to be desired.

I haven't read any of Dinsdale's other works, but I have no doubt of his potential to build stories; I just hope he's built everything else up to par with it. Nonetheless, this fairytale for adults is a story worth sharing for all the children in us because, once upon a time, we all used to play with toys too.

Recommended for: people looking for an escapist read for the child-at-heart ONLY IF you don't mind nitpicking some telling points of improvement.

Jawahir M

Describing the book: A magnificent whimsical tale of magic and fiction through tremendous storytelling, perfect for fans of "The Night Circus". Score:5/5

To me this is one of the best books of 2018 if not the best. I cannot fathom how Dinsdale did not ever venture into fantasy before this because it seems as if Dinsdale breathes magic. It took me back to the my childhood of being awed by magic in Harry Potter, captivated by Pinocchio, and mesmerized by trips to Hamleys with my parents. The story itself contains many layers and Dinsdale looks into all of the crooks and cranies of family and sibling rivalry with great depth. Though with the presence of magic, it does not come off as juvenile rather it tackles topics such as war, love, and family. 

The Toymakers first begins with Cathy ending up in a toy shop in London around the 1900s called "The Emporium". The Emporium belongs to founder Papa Jack who is a master toymaker and has two sons Kaspar and Emil who are both toymakers though the brothers are different as night and day. Competitive spirit has been drilled into the boys ever since they were young and each of the brothers hopes he will be the one to take over The Emporium. 

How do they determine the winner? Looking at which one creates the most magical toys to best the other and winner the hearts of both children and adults alike. 

Expect everything from a floating cloud castle, to patchwork pets, paper trees, and dancing mice. Cathy ends up a witness to how The Emporium works, and mainly through her eyes we see the story unravels itself as secrets shed and past truths come out. 

The story's success is highly attributed to how the author wrote it. I really loved his writing style, and the way the book was narrated added that extra glimmer of magic as if the reader is truly in on the magic trick throughout the whole spectacle. I love the steady progression throughout the years, no era felt rushed and each time period got the proper amount of writing it deserved. Think of the story as a woven tapestry, you start with one thing and end up with a totally different picture.

The characters are greatly written as well. Loved how Kaspar and Emil in many ways are similar but are totally different as well. Their names are also reflective of their personalities I believe. Kaspar, a flamboyant name, fits perfectly to the tall broad shouldered man who cherishes imagination and is a cheerful character. On the other hand, Emil a more serious name, fits a rotund younger man who is practical and is a tinker similar to a carpenter; creativity is foreign territory to him. Cathy is a perfect balance between the two and adds great stability to the proud brothers. What's fantastic is that Dinsdale provided personalities to even the toys. Some have names and have significant parts in the story, others are provided for the tone and setting but Dinsdale does a great job of making them feel "alive". 

I have had tremendous joy reading this book. The only reason is why I didn't finish it sooner is because I didn't want it to end! Dinsdale has added another fan to his base and I'm looking forward to read more from him.

Roisin Giles

A brilliant book about an Emporium in London that sells toys unlike any other. It follows Cathy Wray and the Godman family and their skill, imagination and perseverance in creating magical toys that inspire children and adults. It parallels life in the Emporium with life in the real world, which goes through two world wars and shows that even in dark times, imagination is what links adults and children, and who wouldn’t love to be a child forever?

Andrada D

What could have been an intricate study on the futility of war fell flat through the unnecessary addition of a peculiar love triangle. 

The blurb is also so deceiving. It made it seem a magical realism in the vein of Night Circus when, in the end, it was anything but. 

Settling on 3 stars just because I didn't see that end coming so I felt somewhat satisfied.

Gabriela Roxana 

4.5

Do you belive in magic?

Because I certainly do now. This book made me feel like I was floating on fairy dust.

The Emporium opens with the first frost of winter. It is the same every year. Across the city, when children wake to see ferns of white stretched across their windows, or walk to school to hear ice crackling underfoot, the whispers begin: the Emporium is open! Christmas is coming, and the goose is getting fat ... It is 1917, and London has spent years in the shadow of the First World War. In the heart of Mayfair, though, there is a place of hope. A place where children's dreams can come true, where the impossible becomes possible - that place is Papa Jack's Toy Emporium. For years Papa Jack has created and sold his famous magical toys: hobby horses, patchwork dogs and bears that seem alive, toy boxes bigger on the inside than out, 'instant trees' that sprout from boxes, tin soldiers that can fight battles on their own. Now his sons, Kaspar and Emil, are just old enough to join the family trade. Into this family comes a young Cathy Wray - homeless and vulnerable. The Emporium takes her in, makes her one of its own. But Cathy is about to discover that while all toy shops are places of wonder, only one is truly magical ...

Manon van Heumen

This book was something. It ripped out my heart, crumbled it, and put it back. It has been one of the most beautiful, compelling heart-wrenching stories I've ever read.

The Toymakers

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