Amberville

by: Tim Davys (a pseudonym); Translated by Paul Norlen

Published by: HarperCollins

Reviewed by Beth Cummings

(Published in Swedish in 2007 by Albert Bonniers Förlag)

Amberville is an unusual book. Tim Davys has created an imaginative noir tale filled with suspenseful twists and turns. The dark world is contained in the city of Mollisan Town – a four-part metropolis peopled only with stuffed animals. But these are not the stuffed animals of A.A. Milne’s Pooh stories. These stuffed animals live in a city run by political bosses, mobsters and religious leaders with dubious religiosity.

In this city marriages take place, but children are delivered by a truck from the factory to couples whose names have come to the top of the list of families desiring cubs. Thus, a rhinoceros and a boxer dog couple received the bear cub twins, Eric and Teddy. While identical in appearance, Eric and Teddy are personality opposites. Teddy tries only to be good, refusing to tell untruths. Eric is forthright, but unconcerned with evil intent. He easily falls in with the mobster element.

Eventually, the stuffed animals of Mollisan Town become old or unnecessary. They are taken away by the Chauffeurs in a red pick-up truck and are never seen or heard of again. No one knows for sure when this will happen and it is a constant source of anxiety for the animals. It is rumored that there is a Death List – but who makes it and why is not known. However, when a mob boss comes to Eric Bear with threats and the demand that Eric find the supposed list the plot gets into high gear.

The story has love, hate, family quarrels and brotherly affection. It also has unusual alliances, intrigue and violence. Yet there is a philosophical quality about it that is an interesting commentary on human frailties.

This isn’t the book for everyone. According to the publicist it has been well received in Europe. It could be an interesting discussion topic for a book group that enjoys eclectic novels.

Armchair Interviews agrees.