You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by mat_tobin
Stig of the Dump by Clive King
5.0
Why oh why did it take me so long to a)be able to read and b)spend time with Stig and Barney? I really enjoyed this book from the outset and it was all due to Clive King's engaging writing style and voice. How effortlessly he captures Barney's childlike disposition alongside the beauty and rare magic of the North Downs (how can you not but love the scene when Barney and Lou cross paths with the stag).
Barney's adventures with his thought-to-be-imaginary friend, Stig are led by his inquisitiveness and wholly absorbing need to play: the idea of a child escaping to the local dump or wasteland alone now would cause many a raised eyebrow yet in my own youth the raised eyebrow would come to the child who did not do this.
Unphased by who Stig might be or where he came from, Barney wants to help and support his friend with adapting his home in the dump, hunting and enjoying his time playing and learning with and from him.
Stig's role in the story is a fascinating one. Barney does not rely on him at all times and it is interesting that he only visits his friend when he's over at his grandparents. It is only when Barney is bored, in danger and wanting to roleplay that he calls upon his friend. There is more to this, I think.
Although stone-sage Stig is a wonderful creation, the real draw for me was Barney. I found him completely endearing, innocent (trusting the robbers!), explorative, creative, funny and kind. He was a boy who could recall his grandfather's words of wisdom 'My Grandfather always says wood warms you twice, once when you cut it and once when you burn it.' and, when threatened and brought close to tears by the Snarget brothers, would look to his Granny for love and support: a sensitive boy who wonders and questions the world he inhabits. Who wouldn't want a Barney in their life?
Edward Ardizzone's illustrations bring not only Stig to life but Barney and his sister Lou too. I am aware that Stig of the Dump has been reprinted often and even adapted for television but, for me, the chemistry of Ardizzone and King is unbeatable and I won't bother looking anywhere else if I want to go off on an adventure with Barney again.
Barney's adventures with his thought-to-be-imaginary friend, Stig are led by his inquisitiveness and wholly absorbing need to play: the idea of a child escaping to the local dump or wasteland alone now would cause many a raised eyebrow yet in my own youth the raised eyebrow would come to the child who did not do this.
Unphased by who Stig might be or where he came from, Barney wants to help and support his friend with adapting his home in the dump, hunting and enjoying his time playing and learning with and from him.
Stig's role in the story is a fascinating one. Barney does not rely on him at all times and it is interesting that he only visits his friend when he's over at his grandparents. It is only when Barney is bored, in danger and wanting to roleplay that he calls upon his friend. There is more to this, I think.
Although stone-sage Stig is a wonderful creation, the real draw for me was Barney. I found him completely endearing, innocent (trusting the robbers!), explorative, creative, funny and kind. He was a boy who could recall his grandfather's words of wisdom 'My Grandfather always says wood warms you twice, once when you cut it and once when you burn it.' and, when threatened and brought close to tears by the Snarget brothers, would look to his Granny for love and support: a sensitive boy who wonders and questions the world he inhabits. Who wouldn't want a Barney in their life?
Edward Ardizzone's illustrations bring not only Stig to life but Barney and his sister Lou too. I am aware that Stig of the Dump has been reprinted often and even adapted for television but, for me, the chemistry of Ardizzone and King is unbeatable and I won't bother looking anywhere else if I want to go off on an adventure with Barney again.