The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson

Blurb

Marinka dreams of a normal life, where her house stays in one place long enough for her to make friends. But her house has chicken legs and moves on without warning.

For Marinka's grandmother is Baba Yaga, who guides spirits between this world and the next. Marinka longs to change her destiny and sets out to break free from her grandmother's footsteps, but her house has other ideas...

“Enticing, a little bit dangerous, and thrumming with possibilities.”Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Girl of Ink and Stars

Review 

When I first started this book, I couldn't quite work out quite what was happening. There were many references to death, guiding souls and Yaga. However, as the book got going I started to understand the premise. 

This book can be a bit dark in places, so if you are uncomfortable with reading about helping dead souls accept their fate then this might not be the book for you. If you're a child that has recently experienced death, then this may trigger some emotions.

Having said that, the book is beautifully written and Sophie has done a wonderful job researching different Slavic folk tales to help her set her story. 

The descriptive writing paints a super vivid picture in your head. So much so, I really felt the tension when Marinka went through the gate herself. 

I didn't know anything about the Yaga before I read this but actually became intrigued as I worked through the book. I loved the glossary at the end as well so the reader really understands all the different Slavic foods!

For me, this is a book about history and tradition. Culture and love. Friendship and happiness. But the overarching theme is about being happy and accepting who you are. Is the grass greener on the other side? Will those things that seem just out of reach make you a happier person if you actually get them?

You can explore all those emotions and and maybe come to realise that what you have in life is actually great. It did for me!

I also wish I had a house that 'spoke' to me because it knew what I was feeling or wanted and would just take off and run for another setting whenever it wanted. How idyllic would that be?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading another culturally rich tale from this author. 

What are your thoughts on the book and the subject matter? 

Keep reading!

Allison x