The Whispers

Review

A desire to have wishes come true – and the disparity between that yearning and the world in which we have no choice but to live – lies at the heart of most great storytelling, and this achingly beautiful book is no exception.

Riley’s beloved mother has disappeared, and no one seems able to say what has happened to her, but before she left, she told him about the Whispers – mysterious creatures that hide amongst the trees and grant requests in return for offerings.

Struggling to connect with his father and brother, whilst coming to terms with his sexuality in a community that is not necessarily ready to accept him, Riley heads into the woods, determined to find the Whispers – and the truth – for himself.

Tenderly, yet robustly, told, this is an unforgettable tale of love, loss, the weight of masculinity – and the importance of saying goodbye when separation is inevitable.