I have been writing for many years and my computer is festooned with incomplete novels. As with so many others, Covid allowed me space and time to complete two novels.
‘Willows Rewilded’ is the first to be published. It is a lighthearted view, sometimes zany, of a rewilding project as seen by those for whom it has been imposed upon.
Next year, ‘Fugue: The Flight of Celia Fane’ will be published.
This book took two years to complete, and the publisher estimates a further year from now for publication. It follows the life and love of Celia Fane and her maidservant as they flee from a murder they were involved in, but not responsible for.
WILLOWS REWILDED
A return to the riverbank featuring some familiar characters, but not as you have read them before.
Mole awakes to an irritating, personal rash, but why is everyone else in foul humour?
Ratty (now vegan and identifying as Vole) is off his chump on mushrooms. Badger is apoplectic as his truffle beds are plundered and Reg, the translocated otter, groans from indigestion.
Oddball rewilder Georges Montgofiere needs the Toad estate to realise his grandiose scheme. But he could do without inconvenient business partner Horatio Toad who only sees profit in a safari-based theme park.
A new wild order? Others will have their say and the outcome will be beyond Montgolfiere’s wildest imaginings.
A sideways, humorous, take on rewilding with adult content.
Pure escapism from today’s grim realities.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT WILLOWS REWILDED
“A satirical modern take on this familiar tale”
“Hilarious update to a classic”
“Funny sequel to the original”
Reviews
Colin Childs’ anarchic reimagining of the Wind in the Willows world brings us right up to date with the modern relations of the original characters. This is in no way a twee sequel though! It’s an irreverent take on the original theme which is very funny and full of surprises.
This book is an amusing sequel to Kenneth Grahame’s ‘The Wind in the Willows’ with all the fun and frolics of the original, updated for a modern audience and aimed at adults rather than children. Mr Childs has a good ear for dialogue and a sharp sense of the ridiculous.
Willows Rewilded updates the Wind in the Willows characters in a contemporary satiric take on rewilding and ecological concerns, notably the awful sewage contaminating Rat’s habitat. Brought up on the writing of BB I really enjoyed the descriptions of the countryside running parallel with Mole’s more adult themed amorous tribulations.
I would recommend this book to anyone. I found it hilarious, with lots of laugh out loud, moments. All in all, an excellent first novel from a new author, whom I fill has a touch of Tom Sharp about his writing and I look forward to Mr Childs next offering.