Lanny

Max Porter

Everyday life in an impossibly idyllic modern English village is shattered when a child goes missing. What makes this village special is that a tree can walk and talk and magic is in the air. Nothing bad can happen here. Or can it? A great, unusual and ultimately very satisfying read, long-listed for the Booker Prize 2019.

Extract

He slides across the land at precisely the speed of dusk and arrives at his favourite spot. The village sits up pretty to greet him, sponged in half-light. he climbs into the kissing gate. He is invisible and patient and about the size of a flea.
He sits still.
He listens.
Here it is.
Human sound, tethered to his interest, dragged across the field, sucked into his great need.

Parallels