I was read this book at school when I was a small boy. I loved it and the idea of the face in the teapot being the first sign of the magic. I later read the book as a young teenager myself. And again I left it with its hints of classical mythology but some of the images and the scenes – the long corridor with the candles dripping wax in piles for centuries.. I think this was Victoria Walker's first novel. And she wrote it when she was very young.

I've always been a sucker for dictionaries and encyclopaedias. I bought this book on the day I got fired from work. I went to the bookshop in London and I was absorbed so much by the book and I forgot I've been fired. It's a tale told from different perspectives – the Jews, the Christians, Muslims. It's a fantasy story and it's again reallytransporting. It takes you into another world. I loved it

This book probably save my life. I've just moved to London long time ago was very lonely and it was winter and I went in to Foyle's bookshop in Charing Cross Road. Reading it – and it's only a slim novel – transported me into another fantastic world. The world is full of smiles and mystery and adventure and it glitters and it smoky and it's got a little bit of sexy in it. Totally awesome