I was attracted by the description of this book featuring a man who had lived for years in isolation with an old aunt as his only company. Gave me Grey Gardens vibes, which unfortunately did not translate into an enjoyable read for me. There’s nothing wrong here - lovely writing, interesting characters - but I found the plot meandering and I couldn’t pay attention. This is one of those books I will likely pick up again at another time when my life is less busy so I can give it the attention it deserves. For now, not for me.

Thank you @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of Shy Creatures by Clare Chambers. It starts in England in 1964. Helen is an art therapist and works at a psychiatric hospital. An unusual patient is brought in, he is discovered in a house that he has not left since he was a teenager (he is now 37); he’s mute and has hair and a beard that look like they have never been cut. He lived with his very eccentric aunts, but they have all died, and he’s on his own. Helen works with him, and we slowly learn about his history, and the tragedy that happened when he was a child, and how that impacted his whole life. There is also a lot about Helen and her life. This is a tragic story, but also shows there is goodness in people. I really liked this story, knew nothing about it beforehand so it was a nice surprise. And it’s based on a true story! #shycreatures #clarechambers #netgalley #advancedreadercopy #lovetoread #readersofinstagram #readallday

4.5 stars. Absolutely captivating. This was my first Clare Chambers book, but it will not be my last.

I cared deeply for Helen's and William's stories, along with those in the circles around them. I adore stories set in the 50s-70s when the most technologically advanced devices a person has are a car and a landline. Chambers wove her story skillfully, and I was gripped with curiosity from one chapter to the next. Ultimately, this was a very hopeful book and was a refreshing read. Chambers achieved her goal admirably.

Enjoyed this novel. The subject matter is not light and cozy, but neither is it too overwhelming. The story is handled very well and the characters are written in an easily digestible way. Made for a relaxing read despite the subject matter.

I featured this book in a new release video prior to publication and was very excited to read this! It's giving mess lol but also wholesome!! Will update when final review posts, but I'm expecting 5 stars!

Wow. I feel a bit side swiped by how much I enjoyed this book. A slow paced yet gorgeously detailed story about a young woman teaching art therapy at mental health facility and one of the patients, a man named William who has been a recluse for decades. As the two work together mysteries become unraveled, pasts are revealed, and both grow in amazing ways. With captivating side characters and plenty of emotion, Shy Creatures captured my heart. I loved the character development here and how many layers there were to William in particular. A beautifully written book, I loved it.

Chambers has crafted a lovely and quiet book about an art teacher who becomes intrigued with a man who was kept hidden from public view by his aunts . Found nearly naked, William sported waist-length hair and a long beard, and refused to speak. When Helen, our main character, discovers some drawings he made while sequestered, she attempts to help him find a way to reconnect with society . . . even if it means confronting a painful past.

This was a slow burning, but fascinating read. The characters were well developed, and I adored the ending.

In the author's afterward, we learn that the character of William was based on the true story of a man who was found living as a recluse in 1952.

Shy Creatures by Clare Chambers is a sharp, tender, and subtle take on introversion, personal growth, and unexpected connections. In 1964, an art therapist named Helen is having an affair with a married doctor she works with at a psychiatric hospital. They admit a new patient, a man who has been living in his aunt's house for decades without venturing out into the world. When Helen discovers that this patient is a talented artist, she becomes heavily invested in finding a way to help him -- and maybe in the process, helping herself as well.

This book was a beautiful example of Clare Chambers talent and I look forward to reading more of her work!

Beautifully written! This novel had me at the first chapter, and that was even before the central focus of the book was introduced. The story begins with a young woman in England who works as an art therapist at a mental hospital. Her story of having an affair with one of the doctors at the mental hospital was a great story all by itself. But then, a surprise character is introduced, as a young man is found living in a dilapidated house with no exposure to the outside world. This character, William, has his own remarkable story running parallel with the story already going.

I loved Clare Chambers' writing, and I'll look forward to reading more of her work! Highly recommended.

<i>Shy Creatures</i> was one of those reads that I went into completely blind, not even remembering the description, and it managed to completely absorb me basically from page 1. It tells the story of Helen who works at a mental hospital in the 1960s, providing art therapy for its patients. She's also having an affair with one of the psychiatrists that is clearly going nowhere, though she refuses to acknowledge that. Her life gets all the more complicated when police find a 37-year old unkempt mute man that has been sequestered away in his old aunt's home for the last decades.

William, said man, is (as I learned from the euthor's note) based on a true story. His story was mesmerizing and heartbreaking, and the later reveals pack a punch. I could barely put the book down because I wanted to know what happened to him. Helen is a complex and intriguing character as well. She struggles both with expectations set by society and her demanding mother and understanding what her relationship with her colleague actually is and will never be.

I thought the story was expertedly told and paced, though I also found the ending almost a little too sweet and perfect for my liking. Some of the subjects that come up are also almost glossed over when I would have loved for the author to dig just a little deeper. Still, a great historical literary fiction based on true events, set during a time period that saw a lot of changes in the way mental illnesses were seen and treated and thus definitely a recommendation.

I really enjoyed this book - a very unique story with memorable characters that will stay with me (William & Marion especially). Lots of tough/dark themes, but it remains light and hopeful. Would recommend! (But would also recommend looking up trigger warnings if needed.)


Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Shy Creatures is a beautifully written, character-driven novel exploring isolation, identity, and connection. Helen’s involvement in unraveling William’s haunting past is compelling, though the story’s slow pacing may test some readers’ patience. While the plot meanders at times, Clare Chambers’ evocative prose and nuanced characters make this a poignant and thought-provoking read.

Shy Creatures is a thought-provoking, beautifully crafted novel that explores the emotional and psychological complexities of its characters. It’s a poignant meditation on identity, human connection, and the delicate balance between the past and the future. The novel will resonate with anyone who has ever grappled with the constraints placed on them by society, family, or self, and is ultimately about the possibility of finding freedom, even in the most unexpected of circumstances.

6/10

The story is inspired by a true event. At least the beginning of this story is inspired by a true event: neighbors hear an argument in the house next door. When the cops arrive they find a naked man who hadn’t been outside in decades and his elderly aunt.

And so begins Shy Creatures.

The book centers around Helen, an art therapy teacher in a psychiatric ward during the 1960s. She’s having an affair with a doctor (who is married).

The book weaves back and forth between the 1960s of Helen’s life and the 1930s and 40s of William’s (the man found in the house).

I give the author A for effort with the premise. Unfortunately the story goes nowhere fast. Or, rather, it goes somewhere but it takes a long time to get there and I’m not quite sure what the purpose was.

There are a few stories that weave in and out, but none of them are tightly related to the other. Maybe I simply am not smart enough to understand it. Either way, the book was a bit of a challenge to finish; though in the end I’m glad I pushed through.

#netgalley #shycreatures

I went into Shy Creatures rather blind, and was surprised by how much I enjoyed this story. At its heart, Shy Creatures is a story of identity and finding your place in the world. Main character Helen is an art therapist at a psychiatric hospital in the 1960s. She leads a relatively quiet life and it seems like the most interesting thing about her life is the affair she carries on with her cousin’s husband (who is also her coworker/higher up). Helen’s life is changed when a mysterious man is discovered to have been living with his reclusive aunt.

Raised by his three aunts, William hasn’t been in the outside world for over 20 years. When William’s Aunt Louisa passes away, he’s completely on his own for the first time in his life. Helen can’t help but wonder who this strange man is and how he ended up in this situation. Using what little clues she can find, Helen digs into William’s past to try and find some piece of his identity.

I liked that the author used a nonlinear timeline to progress the story. It really kept me invested and I just wanted to keep reading. We follow Helen’s POV in the present day and William’s in the past. I was more interested in William’s story, but the present day POV also offered an interesting look into mental health care during the 1960s. While I didn’t love Helen, I did appreciate that she was a bit unconventional for that time period.

Thank you to Mariner and NetGalley for a review copy. This book took me by surprise and I can’t wait to read from this author again.

In a Nutshell: A literary fiction that began ponderously but took me by surprise as it proceeded. Compelling plotline, realistically flawed characters, fluid writing. Backward storytelling for one timeline. I enjoyed this darkly complex character-oriented novel.

Plot Preview:
Croyden, 1964. Thirty-four-year-old Helen works as an art therapist in a psychiatric hospital. She has also been having a long affair with her colleague Gil, a married doctor who plans to leave his wife once his kids are a bit older.
One day, when Helen is asked by Gil to come to a nearby old house where there was a report of domestic disturbance, the last thing she expects to find is an unkempt mute man named William Tapping, who has been living with his aged aunt. None of the neighbours knew of his presence in the house, and it soon becomes clear that he hasn’t ventured outside of his home in at least a decade. When Helen stumbles upon his sketches, she is determined to use art to help him recover, thereby proving to Gil and the other doctors that her role is also important in the hospital.
The story is written in the third person perspectives of Helen and William, with the latter coming from multiple timelines.

After the initial few chapters, I was disappointed that this was going towards the 3-star mark. Helen’s perspective seemed okay and the characters seemed decent, but William’s POV didn't make much sense. But time and patience are two vital attributes when it comes to reading literary fiction. My persistence was rewarded, and how!

Bookish Yays:
🤩 Helen – a complex character who makes great career choices but horrible personal choices. Her decisions, especially about her relationships, are often questionable. All this makes her a great character for a literary fiction work – not necessarily likeable but still compelling with all the human strengths and flaws. Her willingness to continue a relationship with a married man made it tough for me to root for her, but that shortsighted behaviour is true for so many in real life as well.
🤩 William, in whose perspective we get about half the book, is yet another intricate character. A man-boy in various ways, it would be very hard not to root for him, even when his truths come tumbling out. Excellent character detailing!
🤩 William’s timeline begins in the “present year” of 1964, but the chapters go steadily backwards, jumping multiple years and spanning decades. It’s like peeling an onion: you know the end result but the hidden layers hold many secrets that aren’t visible until peeled. This reverse timeline is the best feature of the book, turning it from great to excellent.
🤩 Both Helen’s and William’s arcs have a lot of family drama, but not with overlapping themes. The drama never goes over the top, even though one of the arcs has some truly eccentric characters. The whole feel is more realistic than soap-opera.
🤩 The setting of Croyden and the era – 1960s and backwards – felt real in every way. Though I wasn’t even alive there and then, I still felt like the atmosphere was true to life.
🤩 While many books lately are set in asylums and psychiatric hospitals, this one doesn’t fall in the predictable pattern of showing the mishandling of patients and the extreme medical “treatments” followed historically. Even the depiction of the “mental health” aspect in the book isn’t typical. The narrative felt refreshing.
🤩 Love the significance of the title and the number of characters it applies to. It is a subtle label, but soon we realise that the “shy” quality is because of varying reasons. With layered personalities holding many secrets, a majority of the characters have plenty to reveal over the course of the story.
🤩 I can't go into names because of potential spoilers, so I'll just say: one couple in the book set a wonderfully high standard for fictional parents. I loved them both!
🤩 The pacing is obviously on the slower side, given that this is literary fiction, but the tempo never slackens. The plot moves ahead steadily. There’s a great balance of plot and prose.
🤩 The author’s note, especially her decision to set the story in the 1960s – amazing! Her insights (and the reason why she chose to write this book) made me appreciate it even more.

Bookish Mixed Bags:
🤔 Not a major issue, but it was surprising how Helen’s parents were accepting of the fact that she isn’t in a relationship despite being in her thirties. Considering the era and the general mentality of that time, this could have been explored a bit more.
🤔 The ending is a bit too positive for such a story, but given the facts we learn over the course of the plot, I think most readers will appreciate the smooth ending without much fuss.

Bookish Nays:
😥 There’s one gruesome scene of animal cruelty. Granted, the affected animal isn’t a pet, or even a creature most people care about, but the events still made my stomach churn. I wish this had been toned down. There was no reason to portray it so cruelly.

All in all, my complaints are minimal. The story is great, the writing is beautiful, and the plot is gripping. I am not sure how well this would work on audio, especially for audio newbies who might muddle up the backwards timeline. But the reading experience is fulfilling to those who like character-oriented narratives.
This is my first book by this author, and I would love to read more of her works.
Definitely recommended to literary fiction and character-oriented historical fiction lovers. Not for all readers, and especially not for those who want goody-goody characters and fast-paced storylines.
4.25 stars. (I would have gone higher, but I can’t get that animal scene out of my head.)
My thanks to Mariner Books for providing the DRC of “Shy Creatures” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

I went into this book mostly blind, and it's completely outside my default reading genre of romantasy. But honestly, I really loved that element. To me, Shy Creatures was a wonderful period piece (despite being set in the 60s).

I loved loved loved the characters, even when they were problematic (read: delusion for Helen). William, the favorite soft-spoken, artistic, elusive man, was wonderfully written. We got to fully understand him and his growth, as well as the other main characters, Gil and Helen. I loved the way in which the audience was able to understand William. By observing his story in reverse, I was drawn in to seeing his truth and history. Chambers really excelled in making William, Gil, and Helen unique and complex, all with their own struggles, desires, and motivations.

Chambers’ prose was gorgeous. It wasn’t overly showy in my opinion, but no less beautiful. It excels in its simplicity and emotions. This novel was a nice change of pace for me, and was able to be less fast paced yet intense and engaging.

If you’re on the fence about this book, take a chance. It’s worth it.

* I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I found Williams story fascinating and wish the ongoing affair between Gil and Helen had been minimized to go further in depth to tell William's tale. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Shy Creatures by Clare Chambers ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1/2

Mariner Books
Pub Date: 11-12-24

Thank you @netgalley and @marinerbooks for this eARC.

"William was used to secrets and silences and sideways glances— it was how they coped and kept him safe . . ."

Helen is an art therapist in a psychiatric hospital.  William is a recluse who has been isolated in a house with his three elderly aunts since childhood.

When an argument between William and his last surviving aunt brings the police to their door, both are brought to Westbury Park for evaluation.

The story unfolds from present day 1964 to reveal more and more of William's history - what happened in the 1930s to make his aunts take this drastic step to pull him out of school and society?

Helen begins to put the pieces together with the help of acquaintances from William's distant past.  Will this knowledge be enough for Helen to help William change his future?

An enjoyable book that is hard to describe without giving too much away!

Details of the time period and of the deprivation William endured kept me fully engrossed in this story of loss, trauma, sacrifice, resilience, connection, love, and hope.

William is a character I won't soon forget. 

This was my first novel by Clare Chambers.  I look forward to reading her blacklist and future work.

#shycreatures #clarechambers #marinerbooks #netgalley

Clare Chambers’ Shy Creatures is a beautifully crafted literary mystery that grips you from the first page and lingers in your thoughts long after the final one. Set in 1960s England, the novel follows Helen, an art therapist whose carefully ordered life is thrown into disarray by the arrival of a mysterious new patient. Based on true events, this book expertly blends historical intrigue with deep psychological insight.

Helen is a richly drawn protagonist, her professional composure masking a vulnerability that resonates deeply with the reader. The arrival of her enigmatic patient, whose past is slowly unraveled, not only disrupts Helen’s routine but forces her to confront her own hidden vulnerabilities. Through their evolving relationship, Chambers explores themes of trust, healing, and the complexities of human connection.

The 1960s setting is brought to life with vivid detail, from the societal constraints to the cultural shifts of the era, which serve as a subtle backdrop to the personal dramas unfolding. The supporting cast of characters, from Helen’s colleagues to her patients, are equally compelling, each one adding depth and charm to the story.

What sets Shy Creatures apart is Chambers’ skillful storytelling. Her prose is elegant and evocative, weaving suspense with moments of quiet beauty. The mystery at the novel’s heart is perfectly paced, with revelations that keep the reader hooked while offering a poignant exploration of vulnerability and resilience.

Ultimately, Shy Creatures is a story about finding strength in unexpected places (and people) and the courage it takes to face the past. It’s a gripping, thought-provoking read with characters that feel achingly real and a narrative as intricate as it is satisfying. For fans of literary mysteries with heart, this novel is not to be missed.