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catriona_s's review against another edition
4.0
On a visit back home I was browsing my bookshelves full of my childhood books and found my old copies of Alan Garner books. Feeling nostalgic I've been re-reading them, starting off with the first one I read when I was younger; The Weirdstone of Brisingamen. This, along with The Hobbit, was probably the book that got me into fantasy when I was younger, my maths and english tutor lent me her copy and I was instantly a fan of the genre. I lapped this book up and re-reading it gave me such a joy. It is a reminder to me how important it is for children to have books that capture their imaginations in such a way, books provide so much for people of all ages but nothing matches reading something as a child at falling head over heels into other worlds and seeing infinite possibilities ahead of you.
It's not the most complicated and yes has flaws, as pointed out by other reviewers this is definitely a book that lends its self being aimed for children and being a nostalgia read for adults. Regardless I have a huge love for this book and owe it a lot in how it introduced me into the world of fantasy.
It's not the most complicated and yes has flaws, as pointed out by other reviewers this is definitely a book that lends its self being aimed for children and being a nostalgia read for adults. Regardless I have a huge love for this book and owe it a lot in how it introduced me into the world of fantasy.
koshkajay's review against another edition
4.0
Sometimes, when you're poorly or between books (or both, as now!), you want the literary equivalent of a cross between a palate cleanser and your comfiest jumper. Step forward, a childhood favourite!
It's dark, fast-paced and the start of something special. Perfect classic YA fantasy fiction.
It's dark, fast-paced and the start of something special. Perfect classic YA fantasy fiction.
jvan's review against another edition
4.0
Sad I missed this as a kid, because it's a really strong children's fantasy, full of kids doing great stuff on an adventure in ways that make sense for the kids to be doing. It's small scale in one sense (very local, very well-defined) and large scale in another (end of the world stakes) and balances both of those well. There are grim passages that are unpleasant to read through, and cheerful silliness; there's a broader hidden world only lightly touched on. It's pretty great. My one complaint is that the ending is very sudden, with no wrap up of events, but perhaps the other books take up the story immediately, more or less? I do not know that answer yet.
kaytee's review against another edition
4.0
This is surprisingly adultly written and not as straight forward as you would expect, given the first few chapters. The tunnel scene is written super evocatively and actually made me feel uncomfortable. Good job.
omnibozo22's review against another edition
4.0
Somehow I began this series of books in the wrong order. I read the third one first, a couple months ago. This is the first one, so I finally got the background and the build up that continues in the other books.
The storyline is fun and complex, given its shortness, so it mostly moves right along, which wasn't always true in the third book, as I remember. It reads quickly, around two hours for me today. This would be a good intro to fantasy stories for those who haven't read any before.
One of the aspects of books like this that I enjoy is an author's ability to coin words for often common objects in those worlds that are close to, but not always identical, to objects in our world... and we quickly, if not immediately understand what those objects are. Garner is expert at that.
Since these books move quickly I will soon read the second one, then an autobiography of Garner.
The storyline is fun and complex, given its shortness, so it mostly moves right along, which wasn't always true in the third book, as I remember. It reads quickly, around two hours for me today. This would be a good intro to fantasy stories for those who haven't read any before.
One of the aspects of books like this that I enjoy is an author's ability to coin words for often common objects in those worlds that are close to, but not always identical, to objects in our world... and we quickly, if not immediately understand what those objects are. Garner is expert at that.
Since these books move quickly I will soon read the second one, then an autobiography of Garner.
titchhx's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
nate_s's review against another edition
4.0
I found his writing about the landscape and the weather to be the strongest suit. Great story also, but most of all I felt transported into the place of Alderley and its environs. Great, unique read though it ends quite abruptly.
kailey_luminouslibro's review against another edition
4.0
This is fantasy at it's best. There are bits that remind me of LotR and Narnia.
bookwomble's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0