The Book of the Baku by R.L. Boyle

(Titan Books, 2021)

Reviewed by Steven Doran

R.L. Boyle was born in Leeds. She studied there (Classical Civilisation), sang, played football, and today still lives in Yorkshire where she enjoys genre fiction, 80s movies and countryside comforts. Her debut novel mixes dark, social realism with YA horror, written in the great tradition of children going to live with estranged family and discovering something supernatural.

Sean is the book’s young hero. He leaves behind a children’s home and the poor estate he grew up on to live in with his wealthy grandfather. Years earlier Sean’s mother died in circumstances we’re left to wonder about, and which left him unable to speak. Yet his grandfather’s home—carpeted, smelling of home-cooked lasagne and stocked with books and art supplies—promises safety and comfort, and a chance to recover from trauma in his past.

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Review from BSFA Review 17 - Download your copy here.