Charlie Mackesy: A Boy, a Mole, a Fox and a Horse

31/12/2022

Henry writes: A couple of years ago I read and enthused about a book 'A Boy, a Mole, a Fox and a Horse’ by Charlie Mackesy, and gave copies to friends as Christmas presents. This Christmas there was a film version of the story on BBC 1, and an audio version on BBC Sounds. Even if you’ve read the book I commend both the film and the audio.

There was also a documentary on BBC 2 about the author, and the making of both the book and the film that I watched. There was something about Charlie Mackesy that fascinated and intrigued me, while not being able to put a finger on quite what: he somehow felt a tad feral to me.

I looked him up on the internet, and found, slightly to my surprise, that he’s a Christian. I say surprised because he had in no way alluded to that fact in the documentary, although I had sensed that he was a man with a deep spirituality, and that it undergirded his story.

What is more, there was a video of him talking about his faith at Holy Trinity Brompton, and in a way that both delighted me & also challenged my assumptions about HTB.

If you like to see the video, you can find it here.

1 Comment

Mike Catling

2/1/2023 03:06:21 pm

At the end of 2021 I received the gift of a book from a couple who came to a contemplative spirituality group that I facilitated. The book was 'The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse.' I knew nothing about the book or its author, Charlie Mackesy. The story and its illustrations fascinated me, and some of the phrases spoken by the characters were profound and deeply moving.
The book went onto the bookshelf after a couple of reads and I forgot about it until this Christmas. Following a friendly nudge from Henry, I warched the animated film, but more significantly for me the documentary on BBC2 about Charlie Mackesy himself. I found his story even more profound than his book.
He came across as a wonderful, slightly 'off the wall' human being. In fact, he reminded me very much of Jesus. His Christ-like love and compassion for other human beings echoed those of Jesus in the gospels. I appreciate that there is a 'gap' between my words and the reality of the Godself, because we can only view Christ through the lens of our own mind and experience.
Charlie through my lens is a tangible Christ-Presence. His strength lies in his weakness, vunerability and fragility.
In the film and book The Boy says, 'We only see the outside when so much happens on the inside.' As one who does not usually make new year resolutions, watching the film and documentary and reading the story once again has caused me to make an exception this year. I am resolved to be kinder to myself and others and not to be afraid to ask for help when I need it.

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Charlie Mackesy: A Boy, a Mole, a Fox and a Horse

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