A Surprisingly Relevant Tale for All Ages

Ickabog

Author: J.K. Rowling

Publisher: Mahaon

Number of pages: 354

Where to buy: Bookstores, marketplaces

Price: from 160 rubles

I stumbled upon this super affordable book by the Harry Potter author, checked out the reviews, and thought, 'Why not? I'll give it a shot.'

The book is recommended for middle-school age, but that didn't faze me because, let's be honest, many 'kids' books aren't exactly for kids.

The packaging for 168 rubles was a nice touch. The cover is sturdy, with a golden design, and it even comes with a dust jacket. The format is a bit larger than A5, with a large font, dense pages, a good binding, and colorful illustrations.

This story is more of a fairy tale for me, but, just like in any fairy tale, there are subtle hints at the complexities of life. You could say it's a thinly veiled commentary.

It's an easy read, and you could finish it in one day if you wanted to. I didn't have that kind of time, so I spent a week reading it, about an hour a day. And, surprisingly, I found myself looking forward to getting back to the book each day, despite its simplicity – it's actually quite engaging.

Maybe that's what makes it so captivating – the simplicity. There are no complex sentences or obscure words; it's written in a way that even a child can understand. But the underlying message is more geared towards adults. For kids, it's the classic 'good triumphs over evil' tale.

But, in reality, it's much more complex. I'd even call it a guide on how to turn a prosperous state into ruins – 10 terrible pieces of advice. Although the story's linear, if you're a bit of a pushover and befriend sycophants and tricksters, you're doomed, just like the king of the state. It's astonishing how, with such a setup, he became the king. Oh, and the title is passed down through generations.

Everyone in the kingdom lived happily ever after, with four cities. Three of them thrived, but Smurland was a sad and poor place. It's strange that they didn't make it a thriving city.

And they'd all be living happily ever after if it weren't for one thing – even kings get hurt when they're not valued or loved, and they want to prove they're not that way. That's where all the troubles in the story begin. One problem leads to another, and many families, lawsuits, and heroes get entangled.

And, of course, there's Ickabog – a real charmer, not a bloodthirsty maniac.

I'm glad there are people who can't be broken or intimidated, although everyone was scared. Miracles happen, and, just like in any fairy tale, good triumphs over evil, the villains get punished, and life is beautiful. Too bad that's only in fairy tales.

Even finishing the last chapter was a bit sad – it means the book is over. The most important thing, though, is the impact the story leaves. It's a good, kind message that hope is always there, and it's worth holding onto, like a straw. And who knows? Maybe miracles really do happen.

I'll definitely read it again with my kid when they're older, and it's a great gift for anyone who loves reading.

Ickabog is a story not just for kids but also for adults, with a meaningful message conveyed in simple language that's relatable to real life.

It's worth noting that the story does contain some harsh moments, which are more accessible to adults, while kids might not fully understand them. So, it's best for kids to read it with guidance, or they need to be able to understand it on their own. Either way, it's a great read for the whole family.