The Strange and Unlikely Tale of Montgomery, the Mysterious Bird of Mystery

The Strange and Unlikely Tale of Montgomery, the Mysterious Bird of Mystery

Antony Elworthy

Walker Books, 2024

176pp., pbk., RRP $A16.99

9781760658915

Every Wednesday he cycles over to the Twilight Retirement Village to visit Gramps and listen to the remarkable tales he has to tell of his past life. It is the high point of the week for both of them and Gramps certainly seems to have had a most interesting life, because today’s tale is just as intriguing as those told before.  Having decided to give up being a deep sea diver because he didn’t want his innards sucked back up through the hose and sprayed across the boat’s deck, Gramps decided to become a magician.  Before long known as The Astonishing Alfredo, he is  famous across the land, particularly for his trick of being able have his white dove Montgomery fly from a seemingly empty hat, and who then serenades the audience with a song.  Between them, they bring the house down but mysterious forces are afoot and in a strange twist, the two find themselves in each other’s shoes.

Readers are warned to “Expect the unexpected and believe the unbelievable ” and this is certainly the case for both the boy and the young independent reader as they are immersed in a story that seems hard to believe, but it really doesn’t matter because it is the sharing of story and time between grandfather and grandson that is at the core of this debut novel. Even though he finds it difficult to believe his grandfather’s stories, nevertheless it is the bond they have formed that drives the story and the weekly visits.

Enhanced by the author’s own illustrations – he is an animator who has worked on Corpse Bride and Coraline, among others – the reader becomes just as immersed in the story, wondering if Gramps will ever be able to get his wand back and reverse what Montgomery has done. And, if he does, what will he have learned from his experience?

For me, it was a step back in time to the 50s and visits to my own grandparents who lived across the road from the ocean and always had many a tale to tell as the waves pounded on the nearby rocks, adding the perfect music and atmosphere to the adventures they shared.  Perhaps it will inspire today’s readers to connect with their elders in a similar way so the stories are not forgotten or lost altogether.