The race for the UK's Christmas number one book is heating up, and a familiar set of characters has trotted back into contention. Charlie Mackesy's sequel, 'Always Remember: The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, The Horse and The Storm', released this autumn, is poised to challenge the festive bestseller crown, following the record-breaking success of its predecessor.
The Festive Bestseller Formula
For the past two decades, the Christmas top spot has followed a predictable pattern. A mix of Guinness World Records annuals, celebrity chef cookbooks by figures like Jamie Oliver, and children's titles from authors such as David Walliams have dominated. Adult fiction has rarely broken through, with notable exceptions being Richard Osman in 2020 and Dan Brown in 2009. The 2023 winner, a murder-mystery puzzle book, highlighted a quirky national trend.
This year's competition is fierce. Richard Osman returns with his fifth 'Thursday Murder Club' novel, The Impossible Fortune, buoyed by a Netflix adaptation. Lee Child's latest Jack Reacher thriller, Exit Strategy, is another heavyweight contender. Phillip Pullman's continuation of the 'Book of Dust' series taps into nostalgia, while Jeremy Clarkson's 'Diddly Squat' diaries and Gareth Southgate's leadership book cater to the 'dad gift' market. Yet, Mackesy's illustrated sequel presents a unique challenge in a category it created.
The Phenomenon of 'The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse'
First published in 2019, Mackesy's original book became a cultural touchstone during the lockdowns. Its simple, poignant sketches and dialogues about kindness and friendship spread like gospel on Instagram. One particular exchange—"What's the bravest thing you've ever said?" asked the boy. "Help," said the horse—resonated deeply in an era of NHS clapping and Captain Tom's fundraising walks.
The book's commercial success was staggering. It was the bestselling book of 2020 and was later crowned the biggest-selling adult hardback of all time in the UK. This legacy sets the stage for its sequel, which has already galloped to the top of the Sunday Times bestseller list.
Is It Really a Children's Book?
Despite its illustrated, animal-filled pages, experts argue the book's true audience is adults. Dr Ann Alston, a children's literature specialist at the University of the West of England, suggests it plays on adult nostalgia for a romanticised, idyllic childhood world, free from modern technology. "It's fantasy, but I think it's adult fantasy," she states.
The book's unwavering sincerity and saccharine wisdom—exemplified by the boy wanting to be "kind" when he grows up—have drawn criticism for being out of step with British sarcasm. Some detractors label its heartfelt messages as drivel for "millennial losers," comparing its safe, sanitised aesthetic unfavourably to the more textured characters of A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh.
As the festive season approaches, the battle for the Christmas number one spot will test whether the nation's readers are seeking cosy crime, high-octane thrillers, or the continued comfort of Mackesy's pastoral fantasies. The result will be a telling snapshot of Britain's literary tastes at the close of 2025.
