THE BOX OF DELIGHTS (LIONS) - Softcover

Masefield, John (1878-1967)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0006724159 ISBN 13: 9780006724155

Publisher: [London] : Fontana Lions, 1984

Synopsis

When Kay Harker meets a mysterious Punch and Judy man on his way home for Christmas, he little realizes that he is about to be plunged into adventure. The old man entrusts Kay with a strange puzzle box - the Box of Delights - before suddenly disappearing. Kay soon discovers two things: the box can transport him through time and space, and there is a plot to steal it. He must battle heroically against terrifying forces of evil in order to win the day... This thrilling BBC Radio adaptation boasts a stellar cast, including Donald Sinden, Lionel Jeffries, Spike Milligan and Celia Imrie.

3 CDs. 3 hrs.

About this title

About the Author

John Masefield was born in 1878 in Hertfordshire. After leaving school he went to sea, but deserted his ship when the urge to write professionally overtook him. He spent two years doing odd jobs in New York whilst learning his craft as a writer. He moved back to England in 1897. After serving in the First World War, Masefield became a full time writer, writing many popular novels and collections of poetry, including the children's novels The Box of Delights and The Midnight Folk He was appointed Poet Laureate in 1930. He was a prolific writer until his death in 1967. His ashes are buried in Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey.

Review

For Masefield, The Midnight Folk was 'a tale full of episode made to be read aloud'...These new recordings are, I think, phenomenal. The actor Richard Mitchley is the sole speaker for each book and demonstrates a considerable range of characterisation. He uses a large range of accents to help differentiate between different characters: Rollicum Bitem becomes Irish...and Otter reveals a Scottish lilt. Abner Brown's 'silky voice' has a velvet legato about it whilst Sylvia Daisy Pouncer has a clipped harshness that is both authoritative and soft. It is all achieved in a virtuoso display and the one actor doing everything enables tight and effective dramatic timing. This is not a product that cuts corners! ... the choice of Saint-Saens' Dance Macabre for The Midnight Folk...is, I think, a magnificent complement to the book...these recordings will appeal to all and I heartily recommend them. --Phillip W Errington, The Journal of the John Masefield Society

Finding good readers for books written from a child s viewpoint is not easy; mumsie voices or over-egged juvenility ruin many recordings of fine books...Richard Mitchley relishes the glorious rhythms of Masefield s prose but sustains the matter-of-factness essential to a convincing reading of fantasy. --Christine Hardyment, The London Times

Edition details

• Publisher: [London] : Fontana Lions
• Publication date: 1984
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0006724159
• ISBN 13: 9780006724155
• Binding: Paperback