Prepare to have your heart both warmed and wrenched, because Charlie Mackesy’s latest masterpiece, Always Remember: The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, The Horse and the Storm, is a soul-stirring journey you won’t soon forget. Released on October 14 by Penguin Life, this sequel to his beloved The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse is already shaping up to be one of the most poignant reads of the year. But here’s where it gets controversial: while some might dismiss its simplicity as childlike, I argue that Mackesy’s work is anything but—it’s a profound exploration of hope, self-love, and the unbreakable bonds of friendship, wrapped in deceptively simple prose and watercolor illustrations.
The story follows the same quartet as they embark on a journey without a clear destination or purpose, yet they find solace in one another’s company. Together, they weather a fierce storm, discovering that hope, love, bravery, and even a slice of cake can light the way through life’s darkest moments. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most powerful messages are the simplest ones—a truth Mackesy delivers with unparalleled grace.
Let me be clear: this book isn’t just a sequel; it’s a companion for the soul. My grandmother gifted me the first book during a time of immense personal struggle, and it became my daily anchor. While Always Remember hasn’t yet reached that same life-altering depth for me, it still managed to ignite a spark of emotion, leaving me teary-eyed as I turned its pages. And this is the part most people miss: Mackesy’s characters are mirrors, reflecting pieces of ourselves. I see my own doubts in the boy, my encouragement in the horse, my quiet introspection in the fox, and my love for life’s small joys in the mole. It’s a rare book that lets you feel so deeply seen.
Mackesy’s artistry lies in his ability to make the profound feel personal. His inky script feels like a private conversation, and lines like, ‘Hope is a quiet song in your heart that can sing in spite of everything,’ resonate long after you’ve closed the book. The horse’s gentle reminder that the most important friend you’ll ever have is yourself? That hit me right where I needed it. And while some might find the book’s central message—‘you are enough just as you are’—repetitive, I’d argue we can never hear it enough. In a world that constantly tells us to be more, this book whispers, ‘You are already whole.’
But here’s the question I’ll leave you with: In a culture that often equates complexity with depth, is Mackesy’s simplicity a weakness or a revolutionary act? I say the latter. This book is a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful truths are the ones we’ve known all along but need to hear again. So, grab a copy for your nightstand and another for a friend—this is a book meant to be shared. As the fox wisely says, ‘When you think of everyone you love … I hope you include yourself.’ Let’s start there. The world needs more love, and it begins with you.
