Narration in The Moving Toyshop

Narration in The Moving Toyshop

When a story is being told, there are many facts and details that the narrator needs to put into the story so that the reader understands what is happening. The way that the storyteller gives the facts to the reader is very important. In The Moving Toyshop, Edmund Crispin tells us the necessities of the story in a wonderful way. Instead of stating the facts, he adds the details into parts of the story, which makes the whole story much more interesting to read. When introducing characters, Crispin gives us a complete description while still continuing with the storyline. Crispin also gives us a great sense of setting by telling us of the time and place in a very subtle way. We are able to picture the setting without even knowing that he told it to us. The most surprising thing to notice is the way Crispin builds up his murder mystery. We are given small clues throughout the story but do not know they

are there until we reread the book. By setting up the mystery in this way, Crispin makes his book one that the reader cannot put down. His entire way of introducing the characters, settings and mystery make this a very remarkable book.

Crispin has a very interesting way of introducing his characters. He throws in facts about them that could be missed if the reader was not paying attention. When describing Cadogan, Crispin does not simply tell us how old he is or what he looks like. We are instead given facts in small parts throughout the story. For example, near the beginning we are told, "Cadogan straightened up with a faint sigh. He felt every month of his thirty-seven years." (Toy 10). This little detail is slipped into the story in a barely noticeable way. By introducing the fact in this way, Crispin makes it seem like part of the story. This way of describing the characters is continued through the entire book. The portrayal of Mr. Hoskins is delivered in a very similar way when Crispin states, "Mr Hoskins, large, raw-boned and melancholy, a little like a Thurber

dog, blinked mildly." (Toy 27). From this, we get an immediate mental picture of him.

The setting of the narrative is also thrown out at various times throughout the book.