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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Every Heart a Doorway summary
Seanan McGuire
Brief summary
Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire is a captivating fantasy novel that delves into the lives of children who have visited other worlds and struggle to find their place back in reality. It is a haunting and thought-provoking story of identity and belonging.
Table of Contents
Every Heart a Doorway
Summary of key ideas
Exploring the World of Wayward Children
In Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire, we are introduced to Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children, a boarding school for children who have returned from other worlds. These children, like Nancy, the protagonist, have experienced the magic of these worlds and are struggling to adjust to the mundane reality of our world. The school is run by Eleanor West, who herself had once traveled to another world and understands the children's plight.
The children at the school are divided into different groups based on the type of world they visited. There are those who visited Nonsense worlds, Logic worlds, Wicked worlds, and Virtue worlds. Each child's experience is unique, and their longing to return to their respective worlds is palpable. Nancy, for instance, had visited the Halls of the Dead, a world where stillness and quiet reigned, and she longs to return there.
A Murder in the School
The peaceful routine of the school is disrupted when a series of gruesome murders occur. The students and staff are thrown into a state of panic and suspicion. The murders are committed in a manner that mirrors the deaths of the children's fantasy world counterparts. The school is in chaos, and the students are terrified, especially since the killer could be anyone among them.
Nancy, who is still dealing with her own trauma, takes it upon herself to investigate the murders. She forms an unlikely alliance with a group of students, including Kade, a boy who had visited a world where he was a prince, and Jack, a girl who had visited a world filled with skeletons. Together, they try to uncover the identity of the killer and put an end to the terror.
Unraveling the Mystery
As Nancy and her friends delve deeper into the mystery, they uncover dark secrets about the school and its inhabitants. They learn that the school is not just a sanctuary for wayward children but also a place where their unique abilities are exploited. The school's staff, including Eleanor West, are revealed to be former wayward children who have returned to our world and are trying to find a way back to their respective worlds.
It is also revealed that the murders are being committed by a girl named Lundy, who is a former student of the school. Lundy had visited a world where time moved differently, and she aged rapidly whenever she visited it. She had been promised eternal youth if she committed the murders. Nancy and her friends confront Lundy, and in a tense showdown, they manage to stop her and put an end to the killings.
Conclusion and Reflection
In the end, the killer is stopped, and the school returns to a semblance of normalcy. However, the events have left a lasting impact on the students, especially Nancy. She realizes that she cannot return to the Halls of the Dead, and instead, she decides to make the most of her life in our world. The book ends with Nancy accepting her reality and finding a sense of belonging at the school.
In conclusion, Every Heart a Doorway is a captivating blend of fantasy and mystery. It explores the theme of belonging and the struggle to find one's place in the world. The book also delves into the darker aspects of human nature and the lengths people are willing to go to in order to escape their reality. It is a thought-provoking and poignant tale that lingers in the mind long after the last page is turned.
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What is Every Heart a Doorway about?
Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire is a captivating fantasy novel that delves into the lives of children who have returned from magical worlds and struggle to readjust to reality. Set in Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children, the story follows Nancy, a girl who longs to find her way back to the underworld. Filled with mystery, diverse characters, and beautiful prose, this book explores the power of belonging and the search for home.
Every Heart a Doorway Review
Every Heart a Doorway (2016) by Seanan McGuire is a captivating and unique book about a school for children who have returned from fantastical worlds. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It explores the intriguing concept of what happens to children after they return from magical realms, delving deep into their emotions and experiences.
- The book challenges traditional fairy tale tropes by providing a realistic and thought-provoking examination of the consequences of these imaginary journeys.
- With its diverse and complex characters, the story embraces different identities and showcases the importance of finding acceptance and belonging.
Who should read Every Heart a Doorway?
- Readers who enjoy fantasy and magical realism
- Those who are fascinated by the idea of hidden worlds and alternate realities
- People who appreciate diverse and complex characters, especially those who don't fit traditional norms
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Every Heart a Doorway FAQs
What is the main message of Every Heart a Doorway?
The main message of Every Heart a Doorway is finding acceptance and belonging in a world that often rejects us.
How long does it take to read Every Heart a Doorway?
The reading time for Every Heart a Doorway varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Every Heart a Doorway a good book? Is it worth reading?
Every Heart a Doorway is a captivating read that explores the themes of identity and belonging in a unique and thought-provoking way.
Who is the author of Every Heart a Doorway?
The author of Every Heart a Doorway is Seanan McGuire.
How many chapters are in Every Heart a Doorway?
Every Heart a Doorway consists of 17 chapters.
- Prologue: Touching Shadows
- Gingerbread
- Asking for a Door
- Queen Victoria's Book of Spells
- Agony in Pink
- Silence in Blue
- Reason number two to keep your distance
- The Kissing Song
- Sing Me a Hollow Tune
- The Beginning of Many Things
- Waiting to Be Found
- Iron-Bound
- Pictures Worth a Thousand Words
- Knowing Right From Wrong and Choosing Wrong
- The Echo of the Echo of the World
- Eros and/or Psyche
- One Last Project
How many pages are in Every Heart a Doorway?
Every Heart a Doorway contains 176 pages.
When was Every Heart a Doorway published?
Every Heart a Doorway was published in 2016.
What to read after Every Heart a Doorway?
If you're wondering what to read next after Every Heart a Doorway, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller
- The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
- Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys, Judith L. Raiskin
- Just After Sunset by Stephen King
- Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri
- Hearts in Darkness by Laura Kaye
- Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Nunzio DeFilippis
- Side Jobs by Jim Butcher