Charles Elton. Mr Toppit. New York: Other Books, 2010. 400 pages.
With MR TOPPIT, Charles Elton gives the reader a look into the life, not of an author, but of his family. The Hayseed Chronicles are a mashup of A.A. Milne’s Pooh books and J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, with Luke Hayward, the book’s chief protagonist, filling the role of Christopher Robin/Harry Potter. Through a series of events, the character based on his childhood becomes the hero of a beloved series of books. MR TOPPIT follows him as he copes with unwelcome fame.
There are a few other interesting characters: Martha, his eccentric mother; Lila, the ever-devoted illustrator who’s been snubbed by the current American publishers, and Lauri, a put-upon radio host whose chance encounter with author Arthur Hayman ultimately transformers her into an Oprah-like media powerhouse.
It’s a bit of an uneven book–it has a great premise, and some really clever twists. But a few of the character revelations–particularly one about a character’s father that comes late in the book–feel too cliche. Overall, though, it’s a good read that may get you thinking about the families behind the authors who create books that others find so captivating.