The novel centres around a boy called Lanny who lives in an English village. The narrative switches between different perspectives and is interwoven with the perspective of Dead Papa Toothwort who used to live in the village. He seems to live in an empty version of the village with a connection to the identical living place, able to listen and affect their lives without their knowledge.

Lanny is remarkable and the form is not like anything I’ve ever read before. The lyrical prose style is beautifully executed and gripping. It was quick to read, as the prose and narratives flowed so perfectly that it was hard to pick a point to stop reading.