Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster

Summary:

“It’s been five years since the Sweep disappeared. Orphaned and alone, Nan Sparrow had no other choice but to work for a ruthless chimney sweep named Wilkie Crudd. She spends her days sweeping out chimneys. The job is dangerous and thankless, but with her wits and will, Nan has managed to beat the deadly odds time and time again.

When Nan gets stuck in a chimney fire, she fears the end has come. Instead, she wakes to find herself unharmed in an abandoned attic. And she is not alone. Huddled in the corner is a mysterious creature—a golem—made from soot and ash.

Sweep is the story of a girl and her monster. Together, these two outcasts carve out a new life—saving each other in the process. Lyrically told by one of today’s most powerful storytellers, Sweep is a heartrending adventure about the everlasting gifts of friendship and wonder.” (Taken from the publisher’s website)

Review:

Sweep is the story of a young girl, Nan, who works in the most dangerous of places – soot-blackened chimneys around London. When she gets stuck in a small chimney, she fears for her life, only to awaken in an attic with no one around, except for a golem – a “monster” made from soot.

I really enjoyed this book and its combination of different genres. You’ll fin this fantasy novel is actually fits into both historical fiction and magical realism. Basically, two of my most favorite! I grew up reading any historical fiction titles I could get my hands on. I loved the American Girl books and anything that gave me a glimpse into the past. And as I’ve said before, I’m not a huge fan of high fantasy with maps and glossaries filled with new languages. But what I do enjoy is magical realism – books placed in a mostly real world with some magical elements.

Jonathan Auxier paints a 19th century London that is far from idyllic. With terrible working conditions for the smallest of children climbing chimneys. Even as safer methods for cleaning chimneys had been invented years ago. With a close up look at social activism, Sweep is a story that is as familiar now as it was 200 years ago.

Final Thoughts:

Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster is one of the friendships that beat the odds, the eternal hope for a better tomorrow and the appreciation and wonder in the small and often overlooked things in life.

Important Info:

Title: Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster
Author: Jonathan Auxier
Publisher: Abrams
Publication Date: September 25, 2018
Page Number: 368 pgs.