Evelyn (devours and digests words)'s Reviews > A Curious Tale of the In-Between

"Why must ghosts be so forgetful?"

"Why must the living worry about the past so?”

“Because it all means something when you’re alive.”

This middle grade book tugged at heartstrings I didn't know existed. I don't have much to say about this because it's such a short, quick read for me to give the book a longer review but if I have anything more to say at all, the words will only be sung in high praises.

First of all - whoa, Lauren DeStefano really knows how to write a ghost story fit for young audiences. This story is in no way horrifying but yet it is still haunting and dark. I loved the gloomy atmospheric writing. It has a detached tone to it but still managed to touch the readers with its wistfulness.

The premise is definitely something new to me. Our little heroine Pram short for - 'Pragmatic' came to the world hovering between life and death. She was cut out of her dead mother's belly and if that's not a gruesome way to be born I don't know what else could be.

Pram grew up unique. She is brave, intellectual, inquisitive and she could see dead people and animals.  I like how she doesn't come off as 'too special'. Her otherworldly ability only felt anything but natural, and I adore her charisma for others.

“The living think the worst of death. But it isn’t a punishment. It’s just what comes next."

I must say that I respect DeStefano for not romanticising Death, depression or suicide in any form of way. I'm especially intrigued that the ghosts here have their own backstories they don't remember, like how they met their Deaths and who they were in the life before. It definitely added more layers, piqued my curiosity and sympathy, and made the book all the more interesting.

A Curious Tale of The In-Between is a fitting story for younger readers but anyone of any age can read this and easily enjoy it. It certainly touches on touchy subjects like mental illness but it never went too far beyond the non comfort zone.

Read it.