This novel is set in the imaginary continent of Zamonia, told by
Optimus Yarnspinner, an upright-walking dinosaur who
will become
Zamonia`s most famous writer.
A compelling blend of fantasy, adventure and mystery, quirkily surreal and atmospheric, with
hilarious illustrations drawn by the author. It is also a satire on the
goings-on in the literary business. Aspiring
writers will find some
good pieces of advice. A must-read for all bookworms, age 14- .
When the story opens, Optimus is only 77 years old and leads a
sheltered life in a stronghold
that is only besieged once in a while. All his fellow dinosaurs are
poets and writers.Although introduced to the craft of writing by his
mentor, Optimus
still is a budding writer lacking in ideas and life experience.
Before his mentor dies at the age of 888 years, he talks about a writer
who gave him an absolutely perfect
manuscript and whom he sent to
Bookholm.
This exciting city boasts thousands of antiquarian bookshops and a vast number of publishing houses.
Optimus reads the manuscript and sets out to find its author. Once
there, he feels transported to paradise and soon goes on a buying binge.
After a while, he finds out that Bookholm can also ruin promising
writers because of money--grubbing publishers and other shady characters
who live there.
Trying to find the literary genius, he delves deep into the mysteries
of Bookholm and learns that the most precious books can be found in the
gigantic labyrinth beneath the city.
This realm threatened by decay, is in the hands of book pirates, huge
insects, one-eyed booklings and - the Shadow King. There are trap
books, ones that lead to madness and others that can fly or whisper in
the dark...
Optimus asks too many questions and ends up in a place where legends come to life.