This book was not what I expected. It was charming, meandering, happy and melancholy, both fantastical and real. Told from the perspective of Abigail, we see flashes of her life from past and present, gaining a more complete understanding of her as the story progresses. The story is framed with excerpts from The Guidebook, which are not so numerous that they get in the way. The parts that resonated with me the most were the interactions between Abigail and her 4 year old son, such a true portrayal of what it is to be a parent. There is a mystery to be solved, and a satisfying conclusion, a really enjoyable story.