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The Toymakers

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The Toymakers

By: Robert Dinsdale
Narrated by: Ruby Bentall
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About this listen

Random House presents the audiobook edition of The Toymakers by Robert Dinsdale, read by Ruby Bentall.

Do you remember when you believed in magic?

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....

A dark, enchanting, spectacularly imaginative novel perfect for fans of Jessie Burton's The Miniaturist and Erin Morgenstern's The Night Circus.

©2018 Robert Dinsdale (P)2018 Random House Audiobooks Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Magic Magical Realism War & Military Heartfelt Mind-bending Paranormal Feel-Good Tear-jerking War Military

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All stars
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I haven’t enjoyed a book as much as this for years. I know I’ll read it over and over again. THANKYOU so much for such wonderful imagination.

Absolutely fantastic!

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Wonderful story and relaxing voice made this so very enjoyable. A gentle read which hypnotized you into listening for longer than intended

Must be made into a movie

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Strived to be magical, but never managed to sweep me off my feet. Interestingly read, wanted to finish, I'm not sure exactly why.

Not dull, but...

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“Wow” is the only way to adequately sum up “The Toymakers”
Everything about this audiobook is superb, it’s not my usual choice of listen / read but from the first chapter I was swept away on a tide of richly weaved magic and escapism.
Papa Jack’s emporium is a mystical, joyous place of unbelievable delights, anyone that remembers the delights of childhood would want to visit. The story is seen through the eyes of Cathy, a delightful character that you cannot help but like. As claustrophobic as the Emporium should be the different worlds, experience and cavern like quality of it provides a sanctuary for the horror of wars and hurt, a healing place where characters can reset. That being said as the story progresses there is a darker element and for all the wonder and magic there is a equal measure of horror and pain as historical events impact even on the residents of Papa Jack’s. At no point was the story predictable or boring, it fires the imagination and welcomes you in to a place we would all like to visit. The ending is a satisfying twist and all sadness occurs without the taste of bitterness. Ruby Bentall did an amazing job with the narration and I can not recommend this book enough.

A stunning book

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This is a delightful book spanning many years. The story winds hither and thither following the members of the Godman family.
It was a little tedious about halfway through then the pace picked up again and ended on a delightful note.

Enchanting

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devoured this book. magical beyond belief. breathtaking! in parts I cried and others thought I would have a heart attack or my heart would break..I think it did.
one of the most perfect books I have ever read.

Ordinary magic and extraordinary magic too!

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Full of fantasy and childlike adventure. The narrator does a good job with various voices and an interesting storyline.

A fantastical tale

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From beginning to close, life for the Godmans within Papa Jaques emporium provokes the imagination to see spellbinding creations.
Ruby Bentalls intonation adds utter vibrancy to this wonderous book.

Enchanting

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Makes you wish that the wonderful worlds and animals described at the end where real

Interesting story.

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The narration was good and parts of the book are delightful. On the flip side some chapters hammer home passiavist morality in a way that strip the fantasy elements from the story. It's not the topic but the way the wrighting changes. I wanted to remain lost in the wonders of the shop or to see how the magic of toys could improve the terrible impact of war. My main issue is that the female protagonist is simply annoying!

Lots of Magic but moralistic themes dull it

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