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emkoshka's review against another edition
4.0
I've been reading a lot of adult dystopian novels lately, and in need of a brain and soul cleanse, I turned to some classic children's fantasy. I don't know how Alan Garner's books passed me by when I was young; yes, I was given Elidor for Christmas when I was 12 but it lay sadly neglected until 2012 when I finally read it and was overawed. This was a rollicking fun read and holds up extremely well for a children's book published in 1960. It has a timeless quality because despite the encroachment of technology in young lives today, all children still long to explore, to break free of adult reins, and to go on adventurous (and dangerous) quests with magical beings. Garner's world is populated with all manner of creepy creatures, including svarts, morthbrood, the Morrigan, and mara (troll women). What really makes it special though is that while the story is fantasy (though based on a local folk legend), the setting is ever so real. In an Afterword written in 2006, Garner explains his close family connection to Alderley Edge in Cheshire and his own boyhood adventures exploring the hills and bogs and caves. The children's quest takes place in a world that is ours to visit, and although they traverse only a small patch of seemingly benign English countryside, it's so chock-full of menace as to evoke a much more epic journey reminiscent of Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia. That half the book is set underground in a world of old mine shafts and tunnels was a thrilling treat for this speleophile, and so brilliantly evoked that it was evident Garner was writing from his own experience. Next time I'm in the UK, I'm making a pilgrimage to the Edge. :)
nothingbutthedreams's review against another edition
3.0
Overall I found this less interesting than The Owl Service, probably because it has a lot more in common with high fantasy and some overlap with Lord of the Rings in terms of shared inspiration. I do like how grounded in this world (and a location he obviously knows well) it is though and I am looking forward to reading the other books set in this universe.
yati's review against another edition
3.0
... I think what surprised me most is that Alan Garner can be not elliptical. I actually managed to follow the story this time! *eyes [b:Red Shift|307220|Red Shift|Alan Garner|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1173593682s/307220.jpg|298190] suspiciously*
incaseofbookishness's review against another edition
3.0
I FINALLY FINISHED A BOOK. Reading slump conquered.
This book was okay. Not amazing but not terrible, a good bit of fun but I feel like it's slightly dated and that there are lots of far better kids fantasy adventure books out there.
This book was okay. Not amazing but not terrible, a good bit of fun but I feel like it's slightly dated and that there are lots of far better kids fantasy adventure books out there.
josef's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
gilljames's review against another edition
4.0
Alan Garner captures so well the mystery hidden behind the familiar. And what an adventure! Heaps of pace and tension. I just found the Tolkienesque language of some of the fantasy characters a little jarring.
snichols's review against another edition
5.0
How have I not heard of this author until recently? Absolutely amazing story!
illy's review against another edition
3.0
Tuhle knihu jsem četla se svou devíti letou sestrou a jí se líbila, mě však docela nudila. Byl to dobrodružný příběh, kde se pořád něco dělo, ale já nic z toho neprožívala, nemám ani dojem, že bych znala její hrdiny. Možná jsem na ní jednoduše už moc velká...
readingisadoingword's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this! A bit old style but it is 50 years old.
Childhood revisited.
Childhood revisited.