
Member Reviews

Beautifully written! This novel had me at the first chapter, and that was even before the central focus of the book was introduced. The story begins with a young woman in England who works as an art therapist at a mental hospital. Her story of having an affair with one of the doctors at the mental hospital was a great story all by itself. But then, a surprise character is introduced, as a young man is found living in a dilapidated house with no exposure to the outside world. This character, William, has his own remarkable story running parallel with the story already going.
I loved Clare Chambers' writing, and I'll look forward to reading more of her work! Highly recommended.

<i>Shy Creatures</i> was one of those reads that I went into completely blind, not even remembering the description, and it managed to completely absorb me basically from page 1. It tells the story of Helen who works at a mental hospital in the 1960s, providing art therapy for its patients. She's also having an affair with one of the psychiatrists that is clearly going nowhere, though she refuses to acknowledge that. Her life gets all the more complicated when police find a 37-year old unkempt mute man that has been sequestered away in his old aunt's home for the last decades.
William, said man, is (as I learned from the euthor's note) based on a true story. His story was mesmerizing and heartbreaking, and the later reveals pack a punch. I could barely put the book down because I wanted to know what happened to him. Helen is a complex and intriguing character as well. She struggles both with expectations set by society and her demanding mother and understanding what her relationship with her colleague actually is and will never be.
I thought the story was expertedly told and paced, though I also found the ending almost a little too sweet and perfect for my liking. Some of the subjects that come up are also almost glossed over when I would have loved for the author to dig just a little deeper. Still, a great historical literary fiction based on true events, set during a time period that saw a lot of changes in the way mental illnesses were seen and treated and thus definitely a recommendation.

I really enjoyed this book - a very unique story with memorable characters that will stay with me (William & Marion especially). Lots of tough/dark themes, but it remains light and hopeful. Would recommend! (But would also recommend looking up trigger warnings if needed.)
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Shy Creatures is a beautifully written, character-driven novel exploring isolation, identity, and connection. Helen’s involvement in unraveling William’s haunting past is compelling, though the story’s slow pacing may test some readers’ patience. While the plot meanders at times, Clare Chambers’ evocative prose and nuanced characters make this a poignant and thought-provoking read.

Shy Creatures is a thought-provoking, beautifully crafted novel that explores the emotional and psychological complexities of its characters. It’s a poignant meditation on identity, human connection, and the delicate balance between the past and the future. The novel will resonate with anyone who has ever grappled with the constraints placed on them by society, family, or self, and is ultimately about the possibility of finding freedom, even in the most unexpected of circumstances.

6/10
The story is inspired by a true event. At least the beginning of this story is inspired by a true event: neighbors hear an argument in the house next door. When the cops arrive they find a naked man who hadn’t been outside in decades and his elderly aunt.
And so begins Shy Creatures.
The book centers around Helen, an art therapy teacher in a psychiatric ward during the 1960s. She’s having an affair with a doctor (who is married).
The book weaves back and forth between the 1960s of Helen’s life and the 1930s and 40s of William’s (the man found in the house).
I give the author A for effort with the premise. Unfortunately the story goes nowhere fast. Or, rather, it goes somewhere but it takes a long time to get there and I’m not quite sure what the purpose was.
There are a few stories that weave in and out, but none of them are tightly related to the other. Maybe I simply am not smart enough to understand it. Either way, the book was a bit of a challenge to finish; though in the end I’m glad I pushed through.
#netgalley #shycreatures

I went into Shy Creatures rather blind, and was surprised by how much I enjoyed this story. At its heart, Shy Creatures is a story of identity and finding your place in the world. Main character Helen is an art therapist at a psychiatric hospital in the 1960s. She leads a relatively quiet life and it seems like the most interesting thing about her life is the affair she carries on with her cousin’s husband (who is also her coworker/higher up). Helen’s life is changed when a mysterious man is discovered to have been living with his reclusive aunt.
Raised by his three aunts, William hasn’t been in the outside world for over 20 years. When William’s Aunt Louisa passes away, he’s completely on his own for the first time in his life. Helen can’t help but wonder who this strange man is and how he ended up in this situation. Using what little clues she can find, Helen digs into William’s past to try and find some piece of his identity.
I liked that the author used a nonlinear timeline to progress the story. It really kept me invested and I just wanted to keep reading. We follow Helen’s POV in the present day and William’s in the past. I was more interested in William’s story, but the present day POV also offered an interesting look into mental health care during the 1960s. While I didn’t love Helen, I did appreciate that she was a bit unconventional for that time period.
Thank you to Mariner and NetGalley for a review copy. This book took me by surprise and I can’t wait to read from this author again.

In a Nutshell: A literary fiction that began ponderously but took me by surprise as it proceeded. Compelling plotline, realistically flawed characters, fluid writing. Backward storytelling for one timeline. I enjoyed this darkly complex character-oriented novel.
Plot Preview:
Croyden, 1964. Thirty-four-year-old Helen works as an art therapist in a psychiatric hospital. She has also been having a long affair with her colleague Gil, a married doctor who plans to leave his wife once his kids are a bit older.
One day, when Helen is asked by Gil to come to a nearby old house where there was a report of domestic disturbance, the last thing she expects to find is an unkempt mute man named William Tapping, who has been living with his aged aunt. None of the neighbours knew of his presence in the house, and it soon becomes clear that he hasn’t ventured outside of his home in at least a decade. When Helen stumbles upon his sketches, she is determined to use art to help him recover, thereby proving to Gil and the other doctors that her role is also important in the hospital.
The story is written in the third person perspectives of Helen and William, with the latter coming from multiple timelines.
After the initial few chapters, I was disappointed that this was going towards the 3-star mark. Helen’s perspective seemed okay and the characters seemed decent, but William’s POV didn't make much sense. But time and patience are two vital attributes when it comes to reading literary fiction. My persistence was rewarded, and how!
Bookish Yays:
🤩 Helen – a complex character who makes great career choices but horrible personal choices. Her decisions, especially about her relationships, are often questionable. All this makes her a great character for a literary fiction work – not necessarily likeable but still compelling with all the human strengths and flaws. Her willingness to continue a relationship with a married man made it tough for me to root for her, but that shortsighted behaviour is true for so many in real life as well.
🤩 William, in whose perspective we get about half the book, is yet another intricate character. A man-boy in various ways, it would be very hard not to root for him, even when his truths come tumbling out. Excellent character detailing!
🤩 William’s timeline begins in the “present year” of 1964, but the chapters go steadily backwards, jumping multiple years and spanning decades. It’s like peeling an onion: you know the end result but the hidden layers hold many secrets that aren’t visible until peeled. This reverse timeline is the best feature of the book, turning it from great to excellent.
🤩 Both Helen’s and William’s arcs have a lot of family drama, but not with overlapping themes. The drama never goes over the top, even though one of the arcs has some truly eccentric characters. The whole feel is more realistic than soap-opera.
🤩 The setting of Croyden and the era – 1960s and backwards – felt real in every way. Though I wasn’t even alive there and then, I still felt like the atmosphere was true to life.
🤩 While many books lately are set in asylums and psychiatric hospitals, this one doesn’t fall in the predictable pattern of showing the mishandling of patients and the extreme medical “treatments” followed historically. Even the depiction of the “mental health” aspect in the book isn’t typical. The narrative felt refreshing.
🤩 Love the significance of the title and the number of characters it applies to. It is a subtle label, but soon we realise that the “shy” quality is because of varying reasons. With layered personalities holding many secrets, a majority of the characters have plenty to reveal over the course of the story.
🤩 I can't go into names because of potential spoilers, so I'll just say: one couple in the book set a wonderfully high standard for fictional parents. I loved them both!
🤩 The pacing is obviously on the slower side, given that this is literary fiction, but the tempo never slackens. The plot moves ahead steadily. There’s a great balance of plot and prose.
🤩 The author’s note, especially her decision to set the story in the 1960s – amazing! Her insights (and the reason why she chose to write this book) made me appreciate it even more.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🤔 Not a major issue, but it was surprising how Helen’s parents were accepting of the fact that she isn’t in a relationship despite being in her thirties. Considering the era and the general mentality of that time, this could have been explored a bit more.
🤔 The ending is a bit too positive for such a story, but given the facts we learn over the course of the plot, I think most readers will appreciate the smooth ending without much fuss.
Bookish Nays:
😥 There’s one gruesome scene of animal cruelty. Granted, the affected animal isn’t a pet, or even a creature most people care about, but the events still made my stomach churn. I wish this had been toned down. There was no reason to portray it so cruelly.
All in all, my complaints are minimal. The story is great, the writing is beautiful, and the plot is gripping. I am not sure how well this would work on audio, especially for audio newbies who might muddle up the backwards timeline. But the reading experience is fulfilling to those who like character-oriented narratives.
This is my first book by this author, and I would love to read more of her works.
Definitely recommended to literary fiction and character-oriented historical fiction lovers. Not for all readers, and especially not for those who want goody-goody characters and fast-paced storylines.
4.25 stars. (I would have gone higher, but I can’t get that animal scene out of my head.)
My thanks to Mariner Books for providing the DRC of “Shy Creatures” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

I went into this book mostly blind, and it's completely outside my default reading genre of romantasy. But honestly, I really loved that element. To me, Shy Creatures was a wonderful period piece (despite being set in the 60s).
I loved loved loved the characters, even when they were problematic (read: delusion for Helen). William, the favorite soft-spoken, artistic, elusive man, was wonderfully written. We got to fully understand him and his growth, as well as the other main characters, Gil and Helen. I loved the way in which the audience was able to understand William. By observing his story in reverse, I was drawn in to seeing his truth and history. Chambers really excelled in making William, Gil, and Helen unique and complex, all with their own struggles, desires, and motivations.
Chambers’ prose was gorgeous. It wasn’t overly showy in my opinion, but no less beautiful. It excels in its simplicity and emotions. This novel was a nice change of pace for me, and was able to be less fast paced yet intense and engaging.
If you’re on the fence about this book, take a chance. It’s worth it.
* I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I found Williams story fascinating and wish the ongoing affair between Gil and Helen had been minimized to go further in depth to tell William's tale. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Shy Creatures by Clare Chambers ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1/2
Mariner Books
Pub Date: 11-12-24
Thank you @netgalley and @marinerbooks for this eARC.
"William was used to secrets and silences and sideways glances— it was how they coped and kept him safe . . ."
Helen is an art therapist in a psychiatric hospital. William is a recluse who has been isolated in a house with his three elderly aunts since childhood.
When an argument between William and his last surviving aunt brings the police to their door, both are brought to Westbury Park for evaluation.
The story unfolds from present day 1964 to reveal more and more of William's history - what happened in the 1930s to make his aunts take this drastic step to pull him out of school and society?
Helen begins to put the pieces together with the help of acquaintances from William's distant past. Will this knowledge be enough for Helen to help William change his future?
An enjoyable book that is hard to describe without giving too much away!
Details of the time period and of the deprivation William endured kept me fully engrossed in this story of loss, trauma, sacrifice, resilience, connection, love, and hope.
William is a character I won't soon forget.
This was my first novel by Clare Chambers. I look forward to reading her blacklist and future work.
#shycreatures #clarechambers #marinerbooks #netgalley

Clare Chambers’ Shy Creatures is a beautifully crafted literary mystery that grips you from the first page and lingers in your thoughts long after the final one. Set in 1960s England, the novel follows Helen, an art therapist whose carefully ordered life is thrown into disarray by the arrival of a mysterious new patient. Based on true events, this book expertly blends historical intrigue with deep psychological insight.
Helen is a richly drawn protagonist, her professional composure masking a vulnerability that resonates deeply with the reader. The arrival of her enigmatic patient, whose past is slowly unraveled, not only disrupts Helen’s routine but forces her to confront her own hidden vulnerabilities. Through their evolving relationship, Chambers explores themes of trust, healing, and the complexities of human connection.
The 1960s setting is brought to life with vivid detail, from the societal constraints to the cultural shifts of the era, which serve as a subtle backdrop to the personal dramas unfolding. The supporting cast of characters, from Helen’s colleagues to her patients, are equally compelling, each one adding depth and charm to the story.
What sets Shy Creatures apart is Chambers’ skillful storytelling. Her prose is elegant and evocative, weaving suspense with moments of quiet beauty. The mystery at the novel’s heart is perfectly paced, with revelations that keep the reader hooked while offering a poignant exploration of vulnerability and resilience.
Ultimately, Shy Creatures is a story about finding strength in unexpected places (and people) and the courage it takes to face the past. It’s a gripping, thought-provoking read with characters that feel achingly real and a narrative as intricate as it is satisfying. For fans of literary mysteries with heart, this novel is not to be missed.

"Shy Creatures" by Clare Chambers delicately explores identity and belonging and is shrouded deep in mystery and long-held secrets. The story is wrapped in a poignant and engaging narrative and follows the dual storylines of Helen, who teaches art therapy in a psychiatric hospital, and William, a mysterious man who has been shut away from society for several decades.
I think many moments throughout this book may resonate with others through a series of personal and social challenges Chambers shares, even as the story is set in 1964. It was interesting to see the early topics of mental health and treatment options from those days as they were nearing the 1970s.
Helen's character was a bit of a struggle for me. She was someone who was clearly intelligent in her field and wanted to see herself as a respected member of the psychiatric community. However, she was sleeping with her boss, Dr. Gil, who was a married man with children. He had little respect for her. I think I just have an ick for both men and women in that scenario. But it put her family relationships and friendships at risk as well.
I believe that when William came into Helen's life and was under her care and learned more about his background, she realized that as William's aunts kept him hidden away, Dr. Gil was keeping her "hidden away." Both technically out of "love," but damaging all the same and not truly love. William became her breaking-free moment, I think.
The strength of the novel lies in Chambers' remarkable ability to evoke emotion through simple yet profound observations of William—his loneliness, desire, kindness, love, and fear—making moments of introspection feel relatable and impactful. He was a truly incredible character. And the ending was worth the ick I felt from Dr. Gil.
Overall, "Shy Creatures" is a thoughtful and immersive read that left me wondering what it means to be truly seen.
Thank you, #NetGalley, #ClareChambers, and #MarinerBooks, for the arc in exchange for my honest opinion and review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Helen is an art therapist at a mental hospital in 1960’s England. She is having an affair with a married doctor and living a rather unconventional life for the time.
The discovery and admittance of a reclusive man to her hospital begins the mystery of who he is and what has happened in his life to get him to this point.
This is a character study on human behaviors, especially related to the time period. I loved this and couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend to literary fiction readers who don’t mind a dark premise.

I feel like this took me a bit to get through for some reason. I didn’t expect this to be a mystery but I thought this was a beautiful story with beautiful characters within. I really enjoy her writing and will be reading more from this author.
4.5 stars.
This is probably my favorite cover of the year, it’s simply gorgeous.
Thanks NetGalley & Mariner Books!

I loved Shy Creatures. It was such a quaint book. The premise was unique and the delivery was well done. There was depth and emotion to the characters and an interesting plot.

Shy Creatures follows an art therapist, Helen, and a man who has been shut in a house for decades, William. Chapters alternate between present day for Helen and past for William. As the story progresses, you begin to unravel the mystery behind William and how he got to his present day state. I really enjoyed these flawed characters and this novel unfolded.
I received an ARC from Mariner Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed Clare Chambers’ Small Pleasures, although there were a few things I didn’t love. I liked this book even better. Once again, Chambers sets her story around a female protagonist who is a little older, a working woman, and struggling with family and relationship issues. This book is set in the mid-1960’s though it also goes back in time about 20 years. Helen is an art therapy instructor at a residential hospital for the mentally ill. The hospital isn’t a barbaric institution; rather, it treats patients with a blend of conservative and less traditional approaches, involving both medications and therapies.
The hospital is contacted about an unusual case: neighbors reported an elderly woman having an altercation in her home with a younger man, her nephew William. The neighbors had no idea he was living there, and it turned out William had been a recluse in the house for over a decade. When found he was nearly naked and had a three foot long beard. In her afterword, Chambers explains that this part of the story is based on actual events.
Because William loves art, Helen begins working with him and quickly sees progress, so she begins investigating the threads of his life so she can figure out how to help him. One of the themes throughout this book is the slippery boundaries between medical professionals and their patients. The characters in this book mean well but their involvement also has potential for harm.
Helen has been having an affair with Gil, a doctor on the staff, who turns out to be married to a distant cousin of hers. She’s also getting to know her teenage niece, who is suffering from some mental health issues of her own. I liked the way this book addressed mental health without assuming everyone in the 60’s was uninformed or a charlatan. At the same time it’s clear there’s a muddy line between mental illness and typical human development or reaction to trauma. While I imagine this hospital may have been unusual in the 60s, Chambers has clearly done research on psychological developments of the time.
Chambers explores William’s story in reverse time, which is an interesting technique. As a narrator, he provides small clues to his situation while the reader learns a little more with each chapter. His story is a fascinating one and I didn’t want to put his chapters down. Helen is a bit more frustrating but sympathetic. Her infatuation with a charismatic doctor is understandable, as is her growing unease with the situation.
I like the way Chambers writes, and the way she focuses on struggling, complex characters. I enjoyed this book even more than Small Pleasures; it has some dark aspects but also themes of hope and recovery. I also loved the attention to nature and animals, as suggested by the title and cover. All in all, this book was just what I needed right now. If there were some situations that felt a little too easily resolved, I can live with that.
Note: I received an advanced review copy of this book from NetGalley and publisher Mariner Books. This book is published on November 12, 2024.

In 1960s England, Helen is an art therapist at a psychiatric hospital having an affair with one of the doctors. When he's called to deal with a situation, he takes Helen along and they find an elderly aunt suffering from dementia and her adult nephew who hasn't left the house in over 10 years. This was really good, with the story going between Helen's life in the present day, as she tries to help William (the nephew) in her art therapy sessions, and flipping occasionally back to William's past but working backwards to find out where his problems all began. I enjoyed it a lot. 4 stars.

This book has me wondering if I am manifesting content about English boys in boarding schools and all the stereotypes that come with it, so maybe that is why I am offering this 3-1/2 star review. This book has a sort of gothic feel—a middle aged man found living in a derelict mansion with an elderly aunt. He has not been seen publicly in decades and indeed many don't know how he came to exist with his five-foot-long beard and child's voice. There were a few interesting characters, particular a kind and intelligent mother of one of the character's childhood friends. It was FINE, but not a must-read.