Splendors and Glooms
Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz is a reprint edition published by Candlewick Press in 2014, featuring 384 pages in English. This Victorian gothic thriller weaves a darkly comic tale centered around master puppeteer Gaspare Grisini, whose enchanting performances captivate young Clara Wintermute. When Clara invites Grisini to her birthday party, the event takes a sinister turn as she mysteriously vanishes, leading to suspicions against Grisini and his two orphaned assistants, Lizzie Rose and Parsefall.
Readers will find a narrative rich with elements of fantasy and magic, as Lizzie and Parsefall navigate a world filled with secrets and danger. The story explores themes of family, loss, and the complexities of childhood against a backdrop of law and crime. As the characters delve deeper into Grisini’s past and confront a witch with a deadly agenda, the tale unfolds with a blend of suspense and dark humor, showcasing Schlitz’s signature storytelling style.
Official synopsis Publisher
Newbery Medalist Laura Amy Schlitz brings her sorcery to a Victorian gothic thriller — an enthralling, darkly comic tale that would do Dickens proud.
The master puppeteer, Gaspare Grisini, is so expert at manipulating his stringed puppets that they appear alive. Clara Wintermute, the only child of a wealthy doctor, is spellbound by Grisini’s act and invites him to entertain at her birthday party. Seeing his chance to make a fortune, Grisini accepts and makes a splendidly gaudy entrance with caravan, puppets, and his two orphaned assistants.
Lizzie Rose and Parsefall are dazzled by the Wintermute home. Clara seems to have everything they lack — adoring parents, warmth, and plenty to eat. In fact, Clara’s life is shadowed by grief, guilt, and secrets. When Clara vanishes that night, suspicion of kidnapping falls upon the puppeteer and, by association, Lizzie Rose and Parsefall.
As they seek to puzzle out Clara’s whereabouts, Lizzie and Parse uncover Grisini’s criminal past and wake up to his evil intentions. Fleeing London, they find themselves caught in a trap set by Grisini’s ancient rival, a witch with a deadly inheritance to shed before it’s too late.
Newbery Medal winner Laura Amy Schlitz’s Victorian gothic is a rich banquet of dark comedy, scorching magic, and the brilliant and bewitching storytelling that is her trademark.
Author
Publisher
Topics
FAQ
What is “Splendors and Glooms” about?
Who is the author of “Splendors and Glooms”?
When was “Splendors and Glooms” published?
What is the ISBN for “Splendors and Glooms”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
