I stumbled across Charlie Mackesy’s delightful book, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse during the holidays and it has quickly become one of my favorites. Its as if Christopher Robin had a cousin who could also talk to animals. I got the book for Christmas, it was added to my list at the last second, but still found its way under our tree. The characters are fully formed and I found them like dear old friends. The ink sketches are just solid enough to communicate and porous enough to allow for my imagination. I found the process of reading the book to be like climbing into an adventure.
The themes throbbing through the book are hope and friendship. It’s as if they already live in the world we all wish we could live in. Its a world we we take care of each other. A place where we help in each other’s weaknesses instead pointing them out to feel superior. It’s a place where the voiceless are not ignored and the fearful don’t have to lash out. I read it in one sitting. Now, I keep reading it over and over.
The author has already given all the images that make up the book away on his instagram feed. It’s as if he published each page in advance and the book is just a collection of those moments. You don’t need the book, but I already treasure mine. I’ve already given one away. I’ve recommended it to others. I have looked at most of the images online, but I love the feel of the book and think everyone should experience it in that tangible form.
After finishing the book, I went to find out about the author. I read his bio. I got sucked into his Instagram. Then toward the bottom after hundreds of images and a long journey I saw another picture. I stopped and starred at it. Like a time traveler I shot back to 2002. We were visiting a church in London, Holy Trinity Brompton. In the foyer of the church was a huge canvas. On it was a painting of the prodigal son. I instantly loved it. I bought a copy of the image. I cherish it. It’s what I feel when I read the story. It’s what I feel that love looks like, that home looks like. Charlie painted it years ago.
I fell in love with the artist years ago because his images touch me in a deep and profound way. When I saw the book, I was drawn instantly to it. I didn’t yet know it was by the same hand, but it certainly embodied the same spirit. That is why when we see beauty we are drawn toward God because under it all it is God who is the true author.
