As a consequence you end up with a character who has girlish aspects, (in terms of life experiences), and yet also the maturity and insight that has come from her experience as a Turnkey.The result is a remarkably engaging mix of innocence and depth that the author manages to keep in delicate balance throughout the book. But of course she grows and "ages" in experience and wisdom as the years pass. Flossie was twelve when she died, so she's "twelve" as a spirit. Our heroine, Flossie Birdwhistle, is the kind and earnest Turnkey of Highgate Cemetery, which means she's responsible for the welfare and peace of all of the souls interred there. The blurbs you see that summarize the plot are spot on, but they don't at all capture the satisfying style and tone of the tale, or the appeal of the characters. Everyone went nuts over Neil Gaiman's "Graveyard Book", but for my money this underappreciated gem deserves pride of place on any cemetery-adventure shelf.
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