Isabella Nagg and the Pot of Basil by Oliver Darkshire was recommended to me by a new member to my PhD Book Club, and with its description of cosy, witty, hilarious fantasy, I knew I needed to pick it up. I was quite surprised to find out this was only published in 2025, and I have not be disappointed since starting it. In fact, this novel has come as a wonderful palette cleanser amidst my literary fiction and historical fiction reads.

This debut novel by beloved rare bookseller and memoirist Oliver Darkshire reimagines the Decameron heroine Isabella (with her creepy pot of basil) in a world of sentient animals, talking plants, and shape-shifting wizards. In a tiny farm on the edge of the miserable village of East Grasby, Isabella Nagg is just trying to get on with her tiny, miserable existence. Dividing her time between tolerating a feckless husband, fending off snide neighbors, and cooking up “scrunge,” Isabella can’t help but think that there might be something more to life. When Mr. Nagg returns home with a spell book purloined from the local wizard, she thinks: What harm could a little magic do? As Isabella embarks on a journey of self-discovery with a grouchy cat-like companion, Darkshire’s imagination runs wild, plunging readers into a delightfully deranged world full of enchantment and folklore—as well as goblins, capitalism, and sorcery.

My initial reaction is that this has the same vibes as Spike Mulligan’s Badjelly the Witch with its humour, funny characters, and borderline nonsensical storytelling. It is such a lighthearted read, and undeniably cosy even if there is a hostile basil plant in the mix. It honestly took me back to my childhood and I could not stop smiling while I read. From Isabella to the sentient donkey, the grimalkin and the pot of basil, there are a mixed bag of characters here that you can’t help but like, and as the story progresses you know you will miss when it is all over.

I highly recommend Isabella Nagg and the Pot of Basil to all my fantasy readers out there, especially those wanting a low-stakes, laugh-out-loud read to enjoy. I feel this is also a good pick for fans of Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones, and also India Holton’s Dangerous Damsels series for those wanting an addition of historical fiction to their whimsical fantasy. It is that fine balance of high fantasy with its familiar elements, funny without being over-the-top, and grounded without being boring. Isabella Nagg and the Pot of Basil is perfect for an afternoon read with a warm drink at hand, and one I feel I could very well come back to in the cooler months.