The Briarmen: A fairy-tale for adults

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The novel feels quite unique in the sense that on one side we have this very classical-feeling story set in WW2 where we see the struggles of Britain during that worrying period. And then on the other hand, we get a glimpse at this fantastical fantasy world full of strange bush creatures that love to forage for fruit and nuts and fight with giant catfish. And this just allows you to forget about the war that’s going on around them, and join in with enjoying exploring the strange woods and getting to know the Briarmen. It made me really think about what I could look for in my life that is beautiful and captivating to help me forget about the darker things that are going on in my life. Not to ignore them per say, but just to be able to enjoy something within a dark time. To have something to turn to and appreciate among the anxieties and worries of life.

Maldon: Author Joseph Chadwick releases The Briarmen

It’s so beautifully written, it’s full of description and heart. It’s warm and funny while being incredibly sad at times. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience – the local community.I felt the most intense rush of nostalgia for a place I’ve never been to and friends I’ve never had.

The Briarmen by Joseph A. Chadwick | Waterstones

I grew up in a village that didn’t really have anything other than a woods - and though it wasn’t forbidden, and not filled with magical creatures as far as I know, I love the idea that it could be 😂 It transported me to a gorgeous childhood storybook but intertwined with SO many layers of character (SO CUTE) & plot development. Q: The book is being described by many as ‘A fairy tale for adults’. What age group did you have in mind when writing the novel?I’m reading a couple of things at the moment: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, and I recently started Cows Can’t Jump by Phillip Bowne. Wildly different but I’m enjoying them both! The Briarmen is a story about a young boy call Hamish who is evacuated to the quiet countryside village of Brombury and taken in by Mrs. Platts and her daughter Penny.

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The thing is, I could also see my young family members reading it as the advanced young readers that they are, and I can see them seriously enjoying this book. It was just a lovely heart-warming read. Hamish Beasly is evacuated to a village called Brombury during the WWII bombing of London. He’s taken in by a woman and her daughter - Penny. They decide to go to the Woods Beyond The Railway and there they stumble across the Briarmen - creatures who live in the forest, almost like tree children.I've seen this book described as a fairytale for adults, and I would totally agree with that. Its so wonderfully written, full of wistful wanderings of being lost in a fairytale as a child. At first Penny is far from happy with her new house guest, but after she and Hamish discover and befriend the Briarmen, four fantastical creatures living in the forbidden Woods Beyond The Railway, they are bound together through a shared secret.

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When Hamish Beasly is evacuated to the quiet countryside village of Brombury he is taken in by Mrs. Platts and her daughter Penny. At first Penny is far from happy with her new house guest, but after she and Hamish discover and befriend the Briarmen, four fantastical creatures living in the forbidden Woods Beyond The Railway, they are bound together through a shared secret. Then comes the Blitz, and with it rumours of a German plane crashing into the woods. This sparks concern from the village and puts Hamish and Penny’s secret at risk, a secret they soon find out is no longer their own… Review: gives an insight to the troubles of WW2 and how hard it must have been for everyone involved - from all perspectives Q: The Briarmen has been received really well with reviewers, especially on ‘bookstagram’. A lot of these reviewers are saying they’d love to see more of the Briarmen. Do you plan on writing a sequel? This book reminded me a bit of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and The Book Thief due to its historical elements, particularly the way the war influenced children’s lives. The main character, Hamish, is evacuated early in the rural Brombury which is largely untouched by the war; we therefore don’t witness gruesome details such as bombings, starvation, and ultimately death. But the shadows of the war are looming over the protagonists’ lives and often influence their actions. Penny’s father, a pilot, has gone missing before the events of The Briarmen even begin. His disappearance and her wish to protect what she has left is a major motivation for her actions, good or bad. Words can’t describe how much I loved this book. I’m not sure what I would classify it as but historical fantasy seems to be close enough so let’s go with that!