Due to a passing in the family a few years ago and my subsequent health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for years after the bereavement. Thank you for the opportunity.

The grass people live in small villages, surrounded by giant creatures and mowers - always in danger. In this story people travel to escape dangers, build new homes and challenge their beliefs.

This story was a wonderful time if you want to step into the world of little people as tall as bugs. Living the life similar to a Minimoy or Tinkerbell without wings. It's a lot more like Arrietty to be honest, that is the reason i picked up this book. The characters are very indearing, I loved hanging out with them!

This is a very slow story, one to relax to and just dip into the world and forget everything else.


Thank you to Netgalley for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the premise of this book. The world building was wonderful and intriguing. I didn't care too much for the characters, but I pressed on and finished the book. Good story overall.

First, I must say that I caught up on a lot of (long over due) reading over lockdown but I did not keep up with my reviewing.
There is a lot going on in this tale, a lot of characters (which at times had me checking back to make sure I wasn't confusing things), and a lot to unpack with the new dangers, old ways, prophecy, and the expanse of time covered, but it is wonderfully written, and more often than not, enjoyable.

For me however, as a child growing up in the 80's/90's I really struggled to separate this tale from The Borrowers (which I absolutely adored!) and for me this left me drawing almost constant comparisons.

I would recommend it to everyone who likes a good, well written, fantasy story, and for people who want a more adult fairy tale, but if you were ever a fan of the borrowers I would worry that, like me, you would struggle to truly separate the childhood tales from this, essentially, adult version.

With thanks to Netgalley and Radiant press

The Grass People is a lovely fantasy/fairy tale book that I really enjoyed. Make sure you check it out

Remember the tales of the borrowers from a child? Mainly they set up shop in the more comfortable old Victorian houses where they could live a life of leisure & stay hidden but am sure some had to go more modern even a quest as far as condos&such. The grass people are their ancestors and them in their real form. his was a delightful book with the undercurrent of how far can a society go&still hold on to their roots. & keep their essence. II don't feel we need to go into our primitive form to remain human beings but do feel we need to hold onto these ideas of constructiveness to the rest of earth and it's creatures to be whole. Many people lose sight & touch of these very simple elements losing part of their soul or having it buried under poison.

"The Grass People" is a somewhat predictable but overall enjoyable story. I enjoyed the characters and the writing more than I expected to.

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The Grass People live in small villages, surrounded by the constant threats of mowers and giant four-legged creatures. But their life is not governed by these massive machines and beings. They live and die happy, passionate about their crafts, full of love for family and friends, and finding adventure and resources in everything they come across. Throughout the course of this story, the people travel to escape danger, craft new homes and villages, challenge the traditions of the past, and meet with the elusive beings who surround them. It's a fantastical story of survival and the challenging of the past, full of a melding of tradition and new ideas, of thoughts – and of stories...

This book is full of thought-provoking themes regarding progression and growth. Many of the grass people are determined to keep life as it's always been – but the younger ones see their traditions as outdated and worthless. The people must come together to find the right balance between progression and tradition – keeping themselves safe and honouring the past, whilst moving on to better ways of surviving and living. It's quite a thought-provoking concept; pushing the reader to challenge the things they're told and to stand up for their own beliefs – but presented of tiny, borrower-like beings.

"I want him to love Life and to question everything."

I loved reading 'The Borrowers' when I was younger – and was delighted to discover that these books were also full of tiny people and villages. Throughout, my head spun with the delights of these tiny people's world – their traditions and religions, languages, relationships... It was all very sweet and wholesome – from widowed women being 'adopted' by other grass people to the very sweet courting process the grass people had. They took great joy in nature, and in the smallest things - such as finding a pretty seed or discovering a new source of food - and I really enjoyed experiencing such an innocent approach to the world around us.

Oh, and I adored this definition - "'cuddlies': one-piece pyjamas with feet, worn by young children."

"She danced for the pure joy of the morning."

Some parts did feel very sad – death was a very normal part of these people's lives – as almost everything around them was a threat – horses, lawn-mowers, humans, birds – even a grasshopper was big enough to break the leg of a small person. But throughout, they came across as a resilient group of people, who mourned, lived, laughed and cried together – always supporting one another and filling the pages of their book with family, spirit, and love. Whilst the deaths were sad, and in some instances, heart-breaking, the way that the people drew together dulled the pain a little, filling the empty space with kindness and companionship, and coming together to comfort the bereaved.

"It's like a field of flowers. If you go too fast, you may forget to notice them."

One of my favourite things in the book was the design of the grass people's homes. As one village was situated close to a lake (which would swiftly flood if too much rain fell, the houses were designed to act like rafts. If necessary, the grass people could cast away and float with the water, to avoid being submerged alongside their houses. Another fun idea was that one grass person built her house around a tree, having the trunk go right through her house and arranging her décor around it – what a fantastic idea!

"Words cannot bring back the memories I cherish and want so badly to record."

This book was delightfully inventive, and was a lovely glimpse into the author's head. The world within was crafted with care and love, full of interesting words, traditions and people – and I had a lovely time reading it!

*I recieved a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinons expressed here are entirely my own*

I was attracted to this as it sounded a little reminiscent of The Carpet People but this is so much more complex and layered. Kay has created an in-depth world of tiny people, yet they are technologically advanced in their habitats. Fairies and Elves are in the mix but their presence is dealt with as a matter of fact, so whilst in possession on some magic, it feels ultimately possible that you could one day, bend down and find a village of Grass People with a fairy boat floating nearby. The inter-generational focus allows Kay to develop a dilemma for both the Grass People and the Reader - at what cost comes Progress? A delightful, original, thought-provoking and thoroughly entertaining book.

To say that I loved the book would be an understatement. The Grass People by Kay Parley was is the best book that I have read in a really really long time. I love the way Kay merges both parts of two worlds. How two types of beings both young and life size exist together. Ones actions affecting the other. I just couldn't put the book down. Definitely a book I would recommend that others read as well.

Actual Rating = 3.5/5

Thank you NetGalley, Kay Parley, and Radiant Press, for a copy of this ARC. Receiving this ARC in no way influences my opinions upon reading this story.

This was an interesting tale. What impresses me even more, is that Kay Parley took 20 years to completely realize and bring this tale to fruition. She crafted her own world of the Grass People, and the way they live their Life in Truth by living the Way. They also live amongst the Elves, and Fairies. When they choose to be seen and heard of course.

The Grass People is told primarily in the voice of Dyra, who grows discontent with his village Dolentar (similar to what we humans would call a Priest/Father). At a village meeting, he hears the voice of Radd, an Elf, who warns him he, and his family must leave their village. Dyra trusts his intuition and he, his wife Koalee, and their baby son, Hoyim, back only what they can carry in their trail runner (think of a wheelbarrow, but possibly deeper, and more sturdy), and backpacks.

Following Radd's instruction, an inquisitive Dyra head up trail to the tall woods, to satisfy Dyra in being able to see all of do-lan (the lands of where all Grass People live), and in hopes to see the four legged shadow that threatens them. Along the way, the dreaded mower obliterates another settlement they come upon, and kills many, and injures many more.

Dyra, Koalee and little Hoyim eventually break new trail, and start their own village/settlement. Dyra becomes Chief Councillor of this village. As an old friend, Lenk and his surviving children; Rels, Balink, and Tuje, decided to follow Dyra. Plus a few of the surviving villagers from the mower attack. Dyra's Village thrives, and eventually some of their younger people break off and start a new settlement half a day's march.

This was a very slow burn read. There was no real climax to the story. And I found I didn't mind that so much. It was still a joy to read. These villages, especially Dyra's, were close-knit. Everyone helped everyone else. There were many trades, special occasions, tradition, and even some new ways of thinking. Radd pops in from time to time, usually with a message, and we come to learn about the Domkrimalitza (like our Pope), how the Grass People haven't had one in 50 years. How there may be on in the future, and why Dyra's family is connected to this future.

I don't know if Kay Parley realized this when she wrote it, but there were very strong political undertones to this story. How power can go over one's head, and people can lose their Way, and lose their Truth. It was also a book about Balance. How you can still keep to tradition, and yet have wiggle room to also grow with the times, without losing oneself, or what makes being Grass People special. Or how the Dokrimalitza factors into this re-balancing.

The biggest drawback I had with this book was the amount of descriptions, and the never ending list of names, and familial relations to everyone. I was also a little miffed with some of the more patriarchal-traditional men/women stereotypes. However, I did like seeing some of those stereotypes in a more real setting with characters like Flon, Koalee's sister. Who live's alone, and takes a younger man (Tuje) as her husband.

Overall, I did enjoy this read, and I would totally recommend it to pretty much anyone of any age.

The Grass People felt like a fairy tale for adults. This is not a typical read for me, but I'm so glad that I decided to request a copy. The style of writing, the world building, and the unique story made this an overall wonderful story, and I highly recommend!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a charming book reminiscent of the world created in ‘The Little Grey Men’ and ‘Down The Bright Stream’ by BB. Whereas the books by BB are more of an adventure, The Grass People provides the reader with a small slice of history of the characters as they grow older and confront the changes and everyday dangers during their life such as floods, the ‘longbeast’ and the tall men (us humans).
Kay Parley has built a world of the Grass People with their own philosophy, religion and society which should be recommended to any reader of fantasy.

65 points/100 (3 ½ stars)

The worst thing about The Grass People is that it is so well written. The start is amazing. We are introduced to the world of small people so well. Kay Parley made me feel like I was as small as the Grass People were. Dangers I never thought about, such as small dips in the ground, were pointed out to me in a great level of exploration. There were also dangers from the human and animal worlds. "The Mower" and the "the Great Shadow" are the enemies in the first part of the book, killing Grass People indiscriminately. I felt like a Grass Person.

The writing is just so well done. If this weren't so frustrating to read, this would definitely be rated higher. The book is broken up into four parts of five parts total, highlighting different points of life for the characters. We follow the main couple through their first child, through that child and their others growing up and getting married. We follow the life of their village through its infancy, until it grows big enough to branch off into another village. We follow their society through the dark times until the time of enlightenment.

The slice of life parts to the story are amazing. I loved every moment of it. Learning how they lived, their dangers, and even their society I loved. Even if I hate their society, I liked learning about it. The characters are also incredibly realistic. You have probably known someone like every single one of the main characters of the book. Dyra is selfish as hell, but believes he isn't, especially once he becomes leader. His wife, Koalee, is the only one I can stand, mostly because I have nothing to hate her about. Their oldest son, Hoyim is a young man who takes a while to find himself, mostly because he isn't traditional and doesn't want to disappoint his parents. They're frustratingly realistic.

It is other things I have trouble with.

The story starts out innocently enough. The Grass People are fighting for survival before an Elf comes and tells them they have to leave, or they will die. So our two main characters at the time, Koalee and Dyra, leave. Without telling anyone, including the people they love. Because that will end well, right? Well, eventually things work out, and they're back to survival, only this time without any big people dangers. Life is good, life isn't easy but it is easier. They're thriving, and growing. Everything is going well, and I really liked it. Just so slice-of-life for the first part of the book.

And then about the halfway point of the book, and everything started changing. I started getting more and more frustrated. I started hating everything. The story turned. It was no longer about their way of life. It was about how the society functions and their values. These values are anathema to me. They are too old fashioned, I hated them. I already disliked most of the characters prior to this point. By this point I hated every single one of them. Dyra has become the leader of the village, and it is his way only. He rules. Benevolently, but he has final word, about everything. He is stuck in the old ways, in the traditional ways. Anything not the traditional way is considered bad and wrong. For a man who started the story as being against their entire way of life before they had to move, this is just a little hypocritical.

These values and these traditions are very stifling. Women have their place in the home, but they have no real powers. A woman only really has any place in their world as wives and mothers. If any of them do anything outside of the "traditions", they are chastised for not following the way. The young people aren't listened to at all. This is most apparent in Dyra and Koalee's son, Hoyim, who is a nonconformist and "doesn't understand his place yet". Dyra, in his belief that he is the ultimate word, ends up contradicting himself constantly, in both deeds and words. He ends up yelling at his son for not following him, for wanting to speak about the things Hoyim has noticed in his own world. It is a frustrating, yet realistic dynamic.

Then, it gets even more frustrating. People from the big city come, trying to learn the Grass People way. But surely, they must know because it is instinct, right? Nope, the people in the city are corrupted, because there are too many of them! They no longer have any ties to the community because the community is too big! They are no longer part of the Grass People because they do not listen to their instincts! Hoyim and some friends go to find out what it is really like, and all we hear are horror stories. And everything boils down to "we must stick to the traditions, because the traditions are our way."

The advent of the city people being, in their minds, a complete abomination changes the dynamics of the story. The plot where the young people believe they are being led wrong completely goes away. They are united with their elders against the horrors they have seen and heard. Especially when the city announces that they are now the ultimate leaders of the Grass People, despite some prophesied leader that the elves are supposed to announce - and they haven't yet. They refuse to be led by Grass People who do not follow Truth.

That isn't the only plot that is completely forgotten about. The enemies in the first part of the book, the Mower and the Great Shadow are controlled by the big people, as the Grass People learn. The Grass People fear the big people, and hate them because who could harm another person like that. Until they actually meet one of the big people. They become friends, and the big person sort of protects them as best he can. Only, that is the only thing that happens, really. He is completely forgotten. The most interesting part of the story to me was how the big people and the little people were coming to know about each other, and it goes absolutely nowhere.

Unfortunately, the ending let me down. I was really hoping that the end would make up for the frustrating middle part. In my mind, it wasn't a true ending. It was just someplace to set down the story. Kay Parley worked all that time to establish all these values and traditions. She worked very hard to give everything an out clause, in the form of an ultimate leader to take up the reigns of leadership. And then once the leader comes around, it basically just ends. That is the end, because what else would be told in her mind. Their leader is there to lead everything, we aren't needed anymore. We just have to follow the way, to follow the Truth, and to look to our leader who will make everything okay again. But, we're not allowed to see it, not that there is much to see. The Grass People will follow, because that is what they do.

Only, that also wasn't the actual end of the book. It was the end of the story, but not the end of the book. It was only the end to the fourth part. Then there is a fifth part to the book, which is basically the prologue, stuffed at the end instead. It is the tale of the life of someone named Nanta, who lived before the start of the story. He is important to the story, but he had no real part in it. He was just the person who started certain elements of the story into place. This is at the end because Nanta knew the lessons the characters learn throughout the book already, and lived them. Without having learned those lessons ourselves, his story would have no meaning.

Kay Parley had an amazing idea. I was incredibly interested in reading a fantasy story written by an older woman, a woman in her mid-90s. It is just too bad it feels like I'm being told a story about "the good old days" from my own grandmother. I feel like I'm being yelled at by my grandmother that I'm wrong for wanting to be my own person, for not wanting to be only a wife, to want to live in the modern world. No, Grandma. The good old days weren't better. They were harder, they were less free, and they were less safe. I like the world I live in now, I hope it gets better in the future. Change isn't bad, stagnation isn't better than change. This was just incredibly frustrating for me to read.

DNF 61%

This has been a pure spur-of-the-moment read. You mean there's what looks like a slice of life book about tiny fae-like people living in the grass? Written by an older woman? Sign me up! Like way too many books lately, however, it turned out to be an exercise in frustration instead of a chill, enjoyable read it seemed to promise.

It's doubly frustrating because it started off so well. It's not badly written by any means. The worldbuilding in particular is what kept me reading for as long as I did. The concept of "what if tiny fae-like people lived in our grass" is wonderfully realised, intricate, and thoughtful, without going too far into infodump. They go on their daily errands, watch for predators, and live in eternal fear of the mower. It's slow and slice of life, and feels very much like a story told by your grandma, but again, all well and good there.

The problem is in the characters. It's not that they're unrealistic or badly written, not at all. The problem is more the opposite - they're too realistic. The village is what I could call a small town dystopia. Everyone knows each other and everyone is really set in their ways, traditionalist, and looking down upon anything new and anyone who dares to be even the slightest bit different. Dyra especially comes off as selfish and often contradicts himself. I somewhat sympathised with his son, Hoyim, who wants to do things his own way, but everyone else I wanted to punt into the sun. They're against women working, or building their own houses, or people not marrying, and there's hypocrisy galore. It was irritating to the extreme, but I wondered where will it all go - will the elders be ultimately be proven correct as I feared or will young people introduce some welcome change? On whose side will the book end up being, if any?

After about halfway in, the switch flipped from "enjoying, but slightly annoyed" to a full on hate read when a larger city was introduced as a counterpoint, to show how idyllic the traditional life is and how corrupt a seemingly more "modern" way. Sure, the city did sound crappy, nobody knows each other, there's crime, everything's about money - and, you know, I don't disagree with critique of consumerism at all, I don't think the city trying to gain authority over the villages is good, but not when the alternative is rigid traditionalism. The way it seemed to be set up to highlight the rightfulness of the village life I criticise above left a bad taste in my mouth. I don't really believe people would lose their moral fiber after moving into the city either. It's an odd, irritating strawman.

I guess an argument could be made that both are shit and there is a third way, but at the point I left off, it sure didn't seem like it had anything valuable left to offer and I was frustrated beyond belief. I doubt the ending would change my feelings any - if a book makes me angry and irritable enough I want to toss it at a wall, it's generally a sign to stop reading and find something else, so I did.

The Grass People is puzzling. In some ways, I enjoyed it because of the interesting creatures and the inventive spirit of the story. In some ways, I did not enjoy it because of too many povs and getting lost in the names and the story at times. It's fun and engaging but also confusing. If that makes any sense!

Excellent writing was obvious right out the gate. Interesting characters and world-building. I don't much fantasy (which is where I'd put this), but I liked this. I found it engaging and pleasantly complex. Recommended.

I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy.

*I received an ARC by Netgalley but all opinions are my own. The fact that I got to read this book for free does NOT influence my rating. (Thanks for the free book though!)*

I am not sure what to do with this book. There are grasspeople in it, fairies, elves, prophecies, tall people, dangers from wildbeasts (= badgers) and wheelers (= birds), but even after finishing I still have no idea what I just read. Odd. Interesting world building but I couldn't immerse myself into the story as there were too many characters and too many sub-plots. The story somewhat lacked focus it was more of a narrated genealogy plus fantasy. I don't know. 2,5 stars because I actually skipped some pages...

Aside: The cover is beautiful!! I mean, look at it!
Aside 2: The author is over 90 years old. I am very impressed.

This was an unusual fantasy book that I really liked. It was an intriguing read with great writing, although it was a little tricky to keep track of all the characters. The world building was interesting and I really enjoyed the world overall. The plot was engaging throughout, however I would say that there were too many sub plots going on. Overall I really enjoyed this book and would recommend checking it out, if you are interested.

I kind of don't know what this book was about. It was a fairy story, and there were elves and fairies and humans and prophecies and stuff. There were also a ton of names, many of them crazy long, and not much of an actual plot. Nothing much actually *happens*. It wasn't exactly boring, but when asked, like now, I can't really describe what the book is about, so I'm not sure that's a good thing.