The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

[NNH]

I'd not heard of the book until a week ago when everyone on my Facebook feed started talking about the BBC animation. It took a bit of doing from the USA, but I've just watched it. I should have hated it for its platitudes, lack of plot, and inexplicable ending. But the animation, the voice acting, and the individual moments of emotional honesty were amazing.

Is anybody else conflicted about whether this was rubbish or brilliance?

[Nola25]

We thought it was brilliant, our little boy was transfixed by it (and actually put his new Buzz Lightyear toy down for a while when it was on)

Partner thought the boy had a lovely voice and loved the artistry

[LuS1fer]

Lovely

Obviously the boy would have died from exposure three or four times over but who cares. It was charming.

[rallye101]

Do be quiet!!!!

what a load of toss you are spouting ffs!!!

[road hog]

Just didn't get what all the fuss was about.

Didn't really have an ending

I presumed all the characters were dead.?

[Dan_1981]

The animation was great, as was the sound track.

The script though was a cliched heap.

The problem is they've taken a book written not as a story but a bunch of thoughts and tried to turn it into a mushy story.

[Rh14n]

I was rather disappointed with the animation. My first encounter was of the audio version on BBC Sounds https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000r630?partner... which I thought was lovely. In a time when everything is pretty miserable with Cost of Living Crisis, the War in Ukraine etc. etc. it was an opportunity to let your mind go somewhere peaceful and serene.

My favourite quote which will become my mantra for 2023 is "If at first you don't succeed, have some cake!"