Isaac and the Egg by Bobby Palmer – Blog Tour

A huge thanks to Anne Cater for organising this tour and to Bobby Palmer and Netgalley for an ARC copy of this book and audio book in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis

Heartbreaking and heart-stealing, this bestselling modern-day fable is an unforgettable novel about sorrow, joy, friendship and love.

When Isaac Addy walks into the woods on the worst day of his life and finds something extraordinary there, he already knows he’s going to take it home. A grieving Isaac and his curious new friend are unlikely companions. They don’t even speak the same language. But their chance encounter will transform Isaac’s life in ways he cannot yet imagine.

And maybe he will finally be able to tell the truth.

Sometimes, to get out of the woods, you have to go into them. Isaac and the Egg is one of the most hopeful, honest and wildly imaginative novels you will ever read.

My Thoughts

Oh my! I’m not sure there are many words in my vocabulary that I can use to describe how I feel about this utterly all consuming novel and without spoiling things).  It left me speechless, devastated and hopeful all at the same time and Isaac and his buddy Egg have left such a mark on my heart.

Isaac is depressed and ready to give up on life.  He’s closed the door to everyone trying to help him and has already ceased to exist in spirit and mind.  Isaac is a character who just breaks your heart instantly.   His perfectly imperfect relationship with Mary is lovingly crafted through flashbacks and this is how we learn about Isaac as he was too.  

I’m not religious or spiritual but I’m a believer of seeking out the glimpse of good and Hope in terrible situations. This is what I believe Egg to be.  Some sort of beacon of hope trying to break through the wall Isaac has surrounded himself with and shed a tiny amount of hope onto him.  Egg appears when Isaac needs him the most and adds a little humour into a fairly dark story. 

I adored Egg and his playfulness.  I always got the feeling he knew and understood far more than he let on and knew that his purpose was to bring light back into Isaac’s life.  Towards the end there is definitely more of a sense of this coming through.  Egg’s development provides some light relief throughout and I loved how he was brought to life.  I found myself chuckling out loud at his antics and Eggisms.

I was lucky enough to listen to some of this in an audio book and Johnny Flynn really does a fantastic job of narration.  He conveys the emotional distress and numbness of Isaac whilst equally bringing the playful and mischievous Egg to lfe in stark contrast.  He has the sort of voice I could listen to all day.  

Isaac and the Egg is a beautiful story and Bobby Palmer tells it perfectly.  In the beginning, it leaves you wondering what on earth is happening but by the end you will be completely smitten and in love.  It’s unique, quirky and wonderful.     

Authbor Bio – Bobby Palmer

Bobby Palmer is a freelance journalist who has written for publications including Time Out, GQ, Men’s Health and Cosmopolitan. He is co-host of the podcast Book Chat with Pandora Sykes. Isaac and the Egg is his debut novel.