The boem* Carousel is not only unique in format, but a page turner as well. The story begins in northern France and ends in Paris. With one unexpected turn after another, a cast of unforgettable characters including ten flying carousel horses and a French poodle named Bayol bring fantasy to life. The story explores many themes such as child abuse both physical and sexual, the futility of World War I and its attendant horrors, and the pervasive greed of the church and state. These all dramatically combine to make life for carousel carver Abraham Garneau and his two adopted orphans, Alphonse and Angeline, fraught with deadly challenges.

Carousel is not just a story about villains but about love, courage and loyalty as expressed not only by the protagonists but by the carousel horses and a lovable dog as well. Added to the mix is a king on the run, a psychopathic Algerian deserter, an ace detective, an assortment of bureaucratic misfits along with a Catholic priest, nun, Bishop and Cardinal. Taken altogether, the chase the trio endure is riveting and filled with suspense.  And as in all good stories, it is action-packed wherein the good guys lose some but win in the end and two young lovers have a happy ending.

Snippets of French are used along with humour to add that special ambience to a story well told.

*book-poem