TOP DOLL: Shortlisted for the T. S. Eliot 2024

An amazing concept a beautiful read. And a wonderful example of history made real x ❤️👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

Top Doll is eclectic, funny, moving and entertaining. We get taken on a journey through history (both the American civil war and the 1991 Oscars Ceremony are described in some detail), but we also weave in and out through multiple world perspectives as described by many different dolls, all owned by mysterious billionaire recluse, Huguette Clark.Porcelain 'Dolly', rag doll 'Miss Ting' and CEO Barbie don't see things the same way, as you might imagine. The dolls alternate between bickering, fighting and cooperating as the story weaves in and out, flipping between flashbacks and memoir-writing (these dolls are collectors' items and many have been around a LONG time) to blow-by-blow details of Dolly's plan to save the life of their beloved owner - Huguette - in the present (ish) day.Most of the action takes place in the simultaneously vast yet claustrophobic world of the ridiculously huge and luxurious Fifth Avenue apartment in which the dolls (and Clark) live. The style is playful and experimental with some adult themes - just what you'd expect if you opened up a roomful of dolls who've literally seen it all.As the title hints, probably not one for your 12 year old. But a hugely enjoyable, rollicking rollercoaster of a ride!