Review: And Put Away Childish Things

And Put Away Childish Things by Adrian Tchaikovsky
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This story centres on a disillusioned TV presenter who learns his family's tales of a magical land hold unexpected truths, drawing him into a realm far from the childhood stories. The atmosphere builds a sense of unease mixed with discovery, where familiar wonders turn shadowy and pressing 😊. We found ourselves in setups that shift from light-hearted echoes of old adventures to deeper tensions, keeping the pace steady with a growing weight. It aims for a mix of enchantment and grim reality, and achieves it through those layered shifts, though a few transitions felt abrupt in places.

As portal fantasy, it meets its aims by drawing us into another place while questioning what such realms mean in grown-up terms. It appears as a nod to classic tales on the surface, but deviates into more mature threads, exploring how myths adapt or falter over time. This twist adds depth, showing why these changes matter in reflecting our own world.

The characters start in familiar roles but change in ways that fit their journeys, and I grew invested in their progress ❤️. Harry, in particular, begins cynical yet finds paths that challenge his outlook, making his arc feel grounded.

What really struck me, though, was how it digs into how we see society through the lens of inherited stories. The way groups cling to old myths and traditions, even as they clash with modern realities, highlights those easy misunderstandings that reshape power structures and social bonds. We can see how fragile cultural memory becomes when imagination wanes, leading to a broader loss where collective wonder gives way to isolation or decay.

This is a balance between the humorous side of human intractability and the more sombre dimensions of the way societies treat things they can't actually comprehend, like legacies of mental illness or lost histories. That tension invites fresh examination of why those forces persist, touching upon sociological corners of stigma, renewal, and the way myths construct identity over the long haul.

Adrian Tchaikovsky does this criticism with ease, never making it seem heavy, but leaving us to wonder at the intricacy of belief and belonging.

What is unique here is the new insight into inherited stories coupled with real-world application, giving us a new perspective into how fantasy worlds might mirror developments in society. I liked the sharp prose that balances humour with darker notes, strengthening the overall flow. Yet the compact scope meant some elements, like broader conflicts, didn't expand as much as they might have in a longer format, leaving a slight sense of compression.

It trades quick immersion for detailed backdrops, but that choice leads to stronger ties when key moments align 🚀. I ran into minor confusion early on with overlapping ideas, but pressing forward tied them together clearly.

This came across like a sharper take on classic wardrobe adventures, with added layers of modern doubt. Ideal for those who enjoy portal tales with a grown-up edge, such as echoes of Narnia but laced with cynicism, or Tchaikovsky's other compact stories 😊.

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