Come, Thou Tortoise by Jessica Grant

Come, Thou Tortoise

Jessica Grant

This book oozes charm and Winifred the tortoise, Audrey (otherwise known as Oddly) and Uncle Throby have it in spades. Audrey and Winifred are perfect foils – one old and wise and the other young and naïve with a world view which is completely irresistible. A first rate book for anyone looking for something a little different.

Extract
Winifred is old. She might be three hundred. She came with the apartment. The previous tenant, a rock climber named Cliff, was about to embark on a rock climbing adventure that would not have been much fun for Winifred .... Now Chris was moving out. He said, Would you like a tortoise. I would not say no to a tortoise, I said. I was alone in Portland and the trees were giant. I picked her up and she looked at me with her upside-down eyelids. I felt instantly calm. Her eyes were soft brown. Her skin felt like an old elbow. I will build you a castle, I whispered. With a pool. And I was true to my word.
Parallels
  • Homestead by Rosina Lippi
  • Cranberry Queen by Kathleen DeMarco
  • The Honey Thief by Elizabeth Graver