Castles

Having worked for Bristol Libraries for nearly 20 years, I am always delighted when I read that an author lives and works in this vibrant city, although I have just heard that Susie has moved to Devon; yet another hub for fantastic authors and illustrators. I first came across Susie Bower when her book “School for Nobodies” appeared in 2020 and was excited to hear about this new title.

Pushkin, 9781782692928

“The Three Impossibles” is the story of a young girl called Mim, who is actually Princess Jemima, but hates all of the trappings that go with being a ‘perfect princess’. She lives in a castle, but is forbidden to leave its grounds and the whole town is said to suffer from a curse that occurred when her mother died, just as Mim was born. The arrival of a new governess called Madame Marionette soon sets the cat among the pigeons. There is something very sinister about this teacher, her servants and her so called ‘pet’ that she keeps hanging in a covered cage; she appears to have a secret agenda and Mim is worried by what that might mean to the inhabitants of the castle. Mim is a very inquisitive person and loves escaping to the library and reading her way through the books, unfortunately she can only reach those at the start of the alphabet. But then she comes across a book that is definitely out of place and there is something very unusual about it. “The Three Impossibles” positively glows, as if it want to be found, but Mim finds it impossible to open the book, which just makes her more determined to investigate this puzzle. the story develops at a tremendous pace as Mim uncovers the secrets surrounding her home and the inhabitant of the lighthouse that is just off the shore. Will the book finally reveal its secret and can Mim actually break the curse that has ruined lives for so many years? Well, you will have to read the adventure to find out, I am afraid.

This is a fabulous story about a young girl who just doesn’t fit in to the world that she lives in. She loves science and finding things out, hates dressing up and wants to have more freedom, but I think above all she wants to be loved by those around her, especially her father. There is magic and mystery, curses and creatures of myth for Mim to contend with, but with the help of her friend Smith and Miranda (the cursed grand daughter of the court alchemist) she battles to overcome evil. There is a wonderful lesson for us all about striving to be the best we can be, whilst also being true to our inner selves. So often, this world tries to mould us into something we aren’t, so Mim reminds us to recognize our true selves.

I have had the great pleasure of being able to ask Susie a few questions about this book, so thank you to her for these fascinating answers

What made you want to write for young people? Or was it a happy accident?

I’d written for children a lot during my career as a TV producer – songs, poems and stories as well as presenter links. But in my fiction I’d always focused on writing for adults. I wrote a contemporary women’s novel called The Making of Her, published by Linen Press Books back in 2012. But after that, I hit a block. I started and stopped, but couldn’t finish another novel. Then, by chance, I came across The Novelry, a writers’ community run by Louise Dean. The Classic Course focused on children’s literature. As soon as I saw the animated introduction, something fell into place. My first children’s novel, School for Nobodies, came from this course – and I was hooked! I love writing for children because there’s a freedom and expansiveness about it – because you can write about magic and myth and funny stuff and about the weird and the wonderful. Writing for children keeps me fresh.

Is the character of Mim inspired by any real-life person?

All my heroines are loosely based on myself as a child, only with different strengths. Mim is brave and strong and has an enquiring mind – while as a child, I was anxious and introverted, with a creative mind. So Mim has the characteristics I wish I’d had, I guess.

How did you come up with the ‘twist’ on the title?

I’m afraid it was a ‘steal’! I was browsing through quotes about impossibles and came across this, from Audrey Hepburn: ‘Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’. So when Mim’s enquiring mind goes blank towards the end of the story, I remembered the quote and used it!

Can we expect more adventures from Mim and her friends?

I tend to write standalone – I’ve never yet attempted a series – and I’m just coming to the end of the first draft of my next book, which is very different: a contemporary story with an ecological theme. So there are no immediate plans for Mim and her friends to return – but then again, as Mim would remind me – nothing is impossible!! xx

Susie Bower

By the time she hit her teens, Susie Bower had lived in 8 houses and attended 7 schools. This theme continued in her working life: she’s been a teacher, a tour-guide, a typist, a workshop facilitator, a PA and a painter. She formerly wrote and directed TV programmes for children at the BBC and Channel 4, for which she won a BAFTA Award, and she currently writes audio scripts. School for Nobodies, her debut novel, is also available from Pushkin Children’s. Susie lives in Devon.

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The Three Impossibles by Susie Bower

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