This book just didn't work for me - it just didn't hang together convincingly. It's nicely written, but I wasn't entertained. There's a lot going on, with 2 narrative strands and stories within the story, but paradoxically not much actually happens. I didn't buy the relationship between the 2 MCs and neither character seems to grow/develop during the course of the novel - there's a literal journey but not an emotional one. The ending has little resolution or, at least, none that's satisfying or meaningful and I was left wondering what the point had been. Disappointing.

As a sucker for stories within stories this easily became a top read for me. Creepy, in the best way and beautifully descriptive. I found all the characters voices unique and found myself equally interested in all of them. My one critique was Andrew's journey felt a little long winded, but that's just me being picky.

At first I didn't enjoy this book and stopped reading within the first 30% of the book. But recently I came back to it and I'm glad I did! I'll seek out more from this author.

This book was okay, it was interesting and in some parts, it reminded me about <i>Der Sandmann</i> by E.T.A. Hoffmann, especially for the vibes, and if this is your cup of tea, you should give this one a try, because it would be interesting! But on the whole, it wasn't the right fit for me. It's not a long book so I finished it, but it was, from time to time, quite boring, so I thought about dropping it a couple of times. Some of the ideas are pretty solid, and I have to say that the author did a pretty good job with its development, but... I wasn't really invested in the characters, I didn't really care for them, at all. And this didn't help me out. But if you are in search of some interesting ideas, with some strong gothic vibes even if the book is not properly gothic, you should consider this one!

I appreciate the opportunity to review this book however I have ultimately lost interest in reading it. It has nothing to do with the book itself, just my changing tastes. I hope others can find enjoyment from this story.

A beautifully written book. Really enjoyed reading this. Very unique and interesting read. Thanks to publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read

This wasn’t the book for me. It wasn’t what I hoped. Not what I expected. I couldn’t give it a chance. It’s not something I would read

Stitch by stitch and letter by letter, Nina Allan weaves a tale of two people and the stories they read and create and the personal myths they construct to consume them. Allan has written a sensational and complex story that at its end, has no true end. The reader reaches the final page but the characters go on living in the microcosm of their little world.

I wasn’t looking for this book, it found me. I did hesitate though, before picking it up, because of the dolls. I don’t find doll’s particularly creepy but nor do I feel any urge to own them. They’re just something I never really had much interest in as a child. I like them now though because of the way they creep others out – so I guess that says something about me.

The Dollmaker did take me a little bit of time to start and I also found it easy to put down. The way it constantly summoned me back to read a few more pages over and over again made the journey part excitement and part agitation. Reflecting on it now, I feel like the actress in the first story Andrew reads. I’ve seen something and I can’t stop thinking about how to find a way to spend more time with it.

There is a slightly odd and otherworldly feeling to The Dollmaker. Readers will recognise Britain and descriptions of London but they are all slightly askew. As though you’re a doll yourself and you’re connecting pieces of information from snippets of conversation you’ve overheard. This, I know from some reviews, hasn’t been popular with some readers, while others, like myself, have felt the manipulation to be a perfect complement to the story.

I have a fondness for this book. It’s subtle, naive, harsh, and very human. Anyone who is willing to take a journey and escape the real world for a time (and given what 2020 has been like, who doesn’t want to), will have an extraordinary time.

I like to think that I have a broad taste in books, but I couldn't get my head around this one. I didn't warm to the characters, or root for them. It was well written but the subject matter didn't resonate with me unfortunately.

This novel is interesting - a little obscure but in a good way. I love the 'story within a story within a story' format it is written in. And I do have a weakness for stories where people discover each other and more through letters. I think this novel is well worth a read.

I´ve been following Nina´s work for a while and mostly all the short fiction she has written. Not that much on her long novels. The Dollmaker in a way was an amazing journey, magical and gripping. However, the ending was not as good as it look it was going to be. So, I would say 4 stars just because 75% of the reading was great but I dont think this will work for everyone.

I was excited for this book sadly it just wasn’t for me. I struggled reading it and couldn’t get away with the layout. I tried and in the end gave up.

The Dollmaker by Nina Allan was a beautifully written book, which I loved reading. It centres round 2 main characters; Andrew, who is a dwarf and is a dollmaker and a young woman called Bramber who is in an institution were so well described that I could visualise them as well as empathise with their problems. They both share their love of rare dolls. They share their love of dolls through letters they write to each other. The Dollmaker is so beautifully written throughout I would describe this book as written in modern gothic with dark undertones that can be linked to fairy tales. I enjoyed this book and read it in a day.

The good old saying "Don't judge a book by its cover!" Well, I did! It's not a book I would of chosen to read.
But, I am so glad I did. I highly recommend it.

Big thank you to Quercus Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An incredible start to a book but then rapidly as time went on began to decline. By the end, I was sorry I had invested my time into this. Not what I expected at all.

Thank you Netgalley for my review copy!

The Dollmaker is the perfect book for readers of The Binding, The Night Circus, The Doll Factory and the books by Angela Carter and Laura Purcell.

I love the set up and the frame with all the dolls (the characters in this book are almost like toys themselves), doll collectors, dollmakers and the mystery around Ewa Chaplin. A very clever and evocative basis fo a suspenseful read!

Having said that, though the sorry and narrative are expertly plotted and the writing is lovely, there’s a darkness in this book that affected me and took away some of the joy in reading it. You can sense the doom surrounding the characters, and I spent most f the time reading it just waiting for tragedy to strike. As I’m a lover of all things gothic and horror, I’m quite used to an ominous tone - but here I would have loved a little more hope to the story. It’s a little like reading one of the original Grimm fairytales, knowing there’s just no real happy ending for any of the characters. I still highly recommend it, as the writing is just so good.

Perfect for lovers of dark fiction, twisted fairytales and gothic suspense.

A very well researched book that is so intricate in the way that it combines all of the different levels of the stories within.

I finished reading this a while ago and I still don't know what to make of it.

Unfortunately, I was not able to download this title once I was approved and before it was archived. I therefore cannot provide a review at this time.

Fantastical and fascinating, the Dollmaker is a beautifully woven story. I can't wait to see what else Nina Allan writes.

Eerie, unsettling and strange, the influence of the fairy tale on Allan's odd but likable story is clear from the start. We follow Andrew, a young man with proportional dwarfism and a deep connection to the art of doll-making. It's this slightly creepy yet endearing interest that introduces him to Bramber, a pen pal-cum-romantic interest who is researching elusive Polish dollmaker and author, Ewa Chaplin.

After a year of slightly awkward but blossoming correspondence Andrew deices to visit the hospital where Bramber has lived for twenty years, beginning a quest through railway lines and small English towns of variable merit. It's an interesting story as we learn about the lives and struggles of both characters to find their place in the world. Both have been the victims of unequal friendships and the derision of society because of their "oddness". Their friendship is touching, even if Andrew's sudden dash says more about his obsessive personality than the strength of Bramber's reciprocation. Andrew re-imagines himself as Sir Galahad, the pure-hearted Arthurian hero setting out to rescue Bramber from her self-imposed isolation. As his journey continues Andrews finds his courage and will and begins to resemble the strong, powerful characters of the dwarfs at the heart of Ewa Chaplin's fairy tales.

These short stories are interpersed with Andrew's narrative and Brambers letters to him and it doesn't quite work. It's not the fragmentation that is the problem but rather the balance of the writing. The fairy tales are frankly marvellous, full of uncanny events and characters both wonderful and aw(e)ful. each one was an absolute joy to read, if a joy mingled with a thrilling macabre. Andrew and Bramber were less compelling, and at times the punchy style of the fairy tales left the rest feeling a little bland. But it does improve with a sudden reckless act on Andrew's part and the addition of "Artist" to the narrative. Elements of the fairy tales begin to seep into the real world and that all to the good because that is where Allan's writing really comes into its own.

It’s magical and mysterious and completely intriguing. I got lost in this book and I loved it. I’d recommend!