My book review of 'Movies Showing Nowhere' by Yorick Goldewijk and translated by Laura Watkinson

by Yorick Goldewijk and translated by Laura Watkinson
Recommended age: 8+
Movies Showing Nowhere
by Yorick Goldewijk and translated by Laura Watkinson

This is an award-winning Dutch book for 9-12-year-olds, now available in translation. 

It has a similar theme to Christopher Edge's book 'The Black Hole Cinema', though this time the time travel is very personal to the people stepping into the cinema screen.

Cate has never known her mother who died when Cate was born. And Cate's father is distant and aloof so the feisty young girl has to make her own amusement - usually kung fu films, her pet rabbit and photography.

One afternoon Cate is invited to a disused cinema to learn the ropes from the mysterious Mrs Kano.

It turns out this is the most unusual kind of movie screen – the kind that lets you step through it into a memory. For Cate this means finding the true meaning of love and loss and learning to let go.

Cate is at first an unusual heroine, there's no pussyfooting around with her – she tells it as it is. But as she comes to understand other people's stories, she becomes more tolerant and compassionate and, perhaps, a nicer person! It's a clever idea and a compelling read.  

Date of this review: May 2024
Book publication date: 4th April 2024