Customer Reviews

Love of Seven Dolls (New Portway Reprints)

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The British Hardbound Edition of Love of Seven Dolls was in my parents home as long as I can remember. The cover,title and unknown plot always intrigued me. I finally got around to reading this book several years after I inherited it and it did not disappoint. A charming love story of a down-trodden young girl who falls in love with seven puppets all who have different personalities. It took me a winter's afternoon to finish the book. Now I will read other books by Paul Gallico.

If you have read any Paul Gallico before, you probably already know what you're getting into. If you are into stories with heart, regardless of whether or not they are considered works of literature, then Paul Gallico is your man.
Personally I find his stories very moving. His writing paints a picture and he has the ability to flesh out his characters more than almost any other writer I've read, making them utterly believable.

The antagonist Peyrot is completely detestable, yet Gallico with his deep regard for all the characters he creates, gives him such depth that you find yourself wishing the best for him despite his thorough immorality. Sweet little Mouche is the archetypal innocent but completely convincing - many of us would have known a 'Mouche' at some time or other in our lives. The puppets too, are fully rounded characters and utterly believable as individuals - a combination of human frailties and purest love, even though they are operated by the complete [...] Peyrot.

For me, all Gallico's work is art. I have a penchant not only for good writing, but for the story to also pull at my heart. If your taste in literature leads you to the more dry and clipped version of the art form, so be it, but if you like having your heart messed with, if you like to maybe have a cry or an upswelling of joy, then probably all of Gallico's work will please you. Some others I could mention are 'Jennie', 'The Snow Goose' and 'The Day the Guinea-pig talked' (children's). If you do like this type of writing, then I would also recommend Theodore Sturgeon's 'More than Human' and 'The Dreaming Jewels' (SciFi) and Jack London's 'Call of the Wild'.

If you think you are able to read the book understanding not only the time in which it was written, but also the environment in which it is set, you will enjoy the book despite its rampant portrayal of racism and sexism. Be warned and open your mind before diving in. The whole point is that just beneath the surface of hatred, hurt and profanity, lies something that goes beyond the mere 'science' of psychology, or the condescension of forgiveness, and moves into a much deeper place - true love.