Stitch by Pádraig Kenny

Title: Stitch

Author: Pádraig Kenny

Genre: Adventure

Publisher: Walker Books

Published: 5^th June 2024

Format: Paperback

Pages: 208

Price: $16.99

Synopsis: A compelling, atmospheric and gothic Frankenstein-inspired adventure by an award-winning Irish author.

“A thrilling gothic adventure, brimming with heart and bursting with big questions. I loved it.” Lucy Strange

Stitch is not a monster – he’s a creation.

He and his friend Henry Oaf were brought to life by the genius Professor Hardacre, and have spent all their days in a castle deep in the woods, far from humankind. But when the Professor dies and his pompous nephew comes to take over the laboratory, they soon find out that his sights are set not on scientific discovery, but personal glory. And Henry is his next experiment.

Can Stitch and Henry escape his clutches and make their way in a world they were never built for – and may never be ready for them?

A magnificent gothic adventure full of heart for age 8+

~*~

Stitch is a creation, not a monster like Frankenstein. He’s just like his friend, Henry Oaf, who lives in the castle with him and Professor Hardacre during Victorian times (at least, that’s what it felt like), presumably somewhere in Europe. Stitch has been alive for five hundred and eight-five days at the start of the novel, Henry Oaf came before him, and the professor has been asleep for three hundred and twenty-seven days. Except he’s not really asleep – which Stitch finds out when the Professor’s cousin – also Professor Hardcastle, and his young assistant who also looks different, Alice, arrive.

Alice teaches Stitch about life, death, and new words, about the world and tells him her story, gaining his trust. They form a connection, so when the new Professor Hardcastle starts sinister experiments on Henry Oaf and tries to use the Hooded Man to get what he wants, Stitch and Henry decide to escape. But Henry has gone before Stitch can join him. Alice and Stitch set out to find him into the world that Alice has said is mean. But Stitch sees the good in everyone.

This new novel from Pádraig Kenny is based on, or at least inspired by Frankenstein, and monsters, and the way society perceives monsters. When Stitch, a fully formed being is forced into the world with his positivity and boundless optimism – where nothing seems to be awry for him. As Stitch and Alice search for Henry, they’re tricked and teased, and made to feel like they don’t belong. In doing so, readers come to understand what the world is like for Alice and Stitch, and learn that acceptance is about more than appearance – it’s about the type of person you are.

At the same time, it explores fear and the misunderstandings society has about differences. It examines the way some people judge indiscriminately and the cruelty that some people have within. And examines the ethics of creating something out of death – what it means to create life and how that fits into society. All of these elements are dealt with deftly and in an age-appropriate way that’s not scary, but allows children to confront death, discrimination and friendship in a safe way. Through Stitch, the story and readers examine what makes us human, and what it means to be part of society through the idea of life springing forth fully formed, which results in what could be seen as a cultural clash – what can happen when we enter a new culture and are unsure of what to expect from it or what its norms are. Perhaps most importantly, it lets us know that differences are okay and acceptable, that being different is what makes society whole – and curiosity can help us understand each other. It is okay to not understand something – but not okay to hate just because someone is different. And that’s what Stitch’s adventure teaches us – to learn to accept people and see the good in them.

And of course, it’s just a fun story as well.