Review: Stitch by Pádraig Kenny

Stitch is an utterly breathtaking and heartachingly captivating, gothic tale:  poignant, profound and perfect storytelling. 

585-day-old Stitch marks each day of his existence with a chalk mark on the wall of the turret room in the castle where he lives.  Like his friend, Henry Oaf, he has been created by Professor Hardacre who has been asleep for 327 days.  Unlike his friend, who has been locked in a cage during that time, Stitch has been free to roam the castle and complete his chores.  Stitch is torn between guilt at leaving his friend locked up, and going against his creator’s orders.

When the Professor’s nephew visits with his assistant, Alice, Stitch is given the confusing and upsetting news that the Professor is dead.  Whilst the Professor was intent on scientific discovery, his nephew has his sights set on something darker … and Henry is his next experiment.  But, before he can realise his goal, Henry escapes his clutches and runs from the castle …

Determined to find his friend, Stitch leaves the only home he has known, but can he survive in a world that he was never meant to enter?  Will the friends be reunited, or separated forever by the fear, hatred and prejudice of others?

This is an absolutely stunning, incredibly powerful and thought-provoking story that completely gripped me from start to finish.  The action, brimming with peril, discoveries and secrets, kept me turning pages as I was desperate to find out how the three friends would survive in a world where their differences make them more likely to be hated or feared than accepted.

Stitch is the most remarkable creation and shows more humanity than many of the humans in his life.  He is empathetic, kind-hearted and perceptive as well as having an innocence and natural curiosity that makes him incredibly endearing.  He doesn’t judge people on how they look and shows kindness towards those in need, even if this brings trouble for himself.  The bonds of friendship between Stitch, Henry and Alice are wonderfully heart-warming.

This is a story that addresses some big issues, including selfhood and self-awareness, the depth of grief, and prejudice shown towards differences.  It is a story that challenges the reader to think about what constitutes a monster:  is a monster created by others or self?  Are they created by our own fears, pain and prejudices, but who does that make the monster? 

This is a stunning, heart-warming and unforgettable story of friendship and inner strength that completely captured my heart, and is one that I cannot recommend highly enough to readers of 9+.