Set in 1970s England, Hugo’s dad dies in an accident and the family moves into a new, smaller house and deal with grief in their own way. Except Hugo has a plan: to build a time machine and bring his dad back. And he’s going to need the help of the Wolfman next door…!
Rachael Ball’s Wolf is ok. It’s not the most compelling coming-of-age story and nothing that spectacular happens. The “time machine” and the book’s ending played out predictably and none of the characters were especially interesting or memorable. I didn’t love the sketchy pencils-only visuals though the exaggerated character designs were very expressive.
But there was enough to the narrative to keep me going. Ball bait and switches the reader with magical realist (the little tree person, the spirit wolf and Hugo’s imagined - or was it? - trip at the end) and realist elements (the “wolfman”) which were intriguing. And there was a definite lump in my throat when Hugo “time travels” and who he meets there - but then I’m a sucker for sentimentality!
It’s not the most gripping read but Wolf is still a well-made and quietly moving story of families and growing up.
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