D (A Tale of Two Worlds)

A dazzling modern adventure story from the acclaimed and bestselling author

By: Michel Faber

Narrated by: Isabel Adomakoh-Young

Brought to you by Penguin.

A modern-day Dickensian fable and a celebration of friendship and humanity, by the acclaimed author of The Crimson Petal and the White.

It all starts on the morning the letter D disappears from the language.
First, it vanishes from her parents' conversation at breakfast, then from the road signs outside. Soon the local dentist and the neighbour's Dalmatian are missing, and even the Donkey Derby has been called off.

Though she doesn't know why, Dhikilo is summoned to the home of her old history teacher Professor Dodderfield and his faithful Labrador, Nelly Robinson. And this is where our story begins.

Set between England and the wintry land of Liminus, a world enslaved by the monstrous Gamp and populated by fearsome, enchanting creatures, D (Tale of Two Worlds) is a mesmerising tale of friendship and bravery in an uncertain world. Told with simple beauty and warmth, its celebration of moral courage and freethinking is a powerful reminder of our human capacity for strength, hope and justice.

'Faber's writing is so dizzyingly accomplished that he is able to convince you that, just sometimes, the old stories are the best ones' GUARDIAN

'Glorious. A story that will be found and enjoyed and dreamed about for years to come'
NEIL GAIMAN

'If ever a book like this was needed, it is now. Dhikilo is a splendid heroine for our time: She stands for kindness, honesty and humanity. Her triumph will have readers rejoicing' DIANE SETTERFIELD

© Michel Faber 2020 (P) Penguin Audio 2020

Critic reviews

In this rather ebullient and lovely new novel by Michel Faber ... older children and fully-grown adults will certainly find much to relish in it

Michel Faber never fails to tell his story with wit, intelligence and charm

Part affectionate homage, part exhuberant fan fiction, YA readers will love it, but Faber's brio and bubbly ingenuity will delight adult readers too

Dazzling

A firecracker of a novel

If ever a book like this was needed, it is now. Dhikilo is a splendid heroine for our time: She stands for kindness, honesty and humanity. Her triumph will have readers rejoicing

Testament to his storytelling gift and to the charm and the warmth of his writing

The deadpan style makes this more funny than scary. Faber's acknowledged debt to James Thurber's O is clear. It's very enjoyable