Airman - Hardcover

Colfer, Eoin

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0141383356 ISBN 13: 9780141383354

Publisher: Puffin, 2008

Synopsis

In the 1890s Conor and his family live on the sovereign Saltee Islands, off the Irish coast. Conor spends his days studying the science of flight with his tutor and exploring the castle with the king’s daughter, Princess Isabella. But the boy’s idyllic life changes forever the day he discovers a deadly conspiracy against the king. When Conor tries to intervene, he is branded a traitor and thrown into jail on the prison island of Little Saltee. There, he has to fight for his life, as he and the other prisoners are forced to mine for diamonds in inhumane conditions.

There is only one way to escape Little Saltee, and that is to fly. So Conor passes the solitary months by scratching drawings of flying machines on the prison walls. The months turn into years; but eventually the day comes when Conor must find the courage to trust his revolutionary designs and take to the air.

About this title

About the Author

Eoin Colfer was born and raised in Wexford in the south-east of Ireland, where he still lives with his wife and children. He began writing plays at an early age and, as an adult, continued to write. Artemis Fowl, his first book featuring the now world-famous young anti-hero, was an immediate international bestseller and won several prestigious awards. It was followed by four more hugely successful Artemis Fowl adventures, as well as the highly acclaimed The Supernaturalist, The Wish List and Half Moon Investigations, plus a series of books for younger readers.

From AudioFile

John Keating reads this story--part adventure and part modern fairy tale--with an Irish lilt that reflects its setting on an island off the coast of Ireland. Keating excels at character portraits, each perfectly matched to convey the sense and sound of a hero or villain. Conor Broekhart, born while his mother was aloft in a hot-air balloon, is raised in kind King NickÕs court until heÕs framed for the murder of the king and removed to a terrible island prison. Coarse, brutal inmates and guards, made memorable by Keating, contrast with the kindness of earlier characters and make listeners root for ConorÕs success. Keating shifts easily between accents indicating class and transitions rapidly from narrative to character portrayals. The storyÕs villain has an especially chilling voice. S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Edition details

• Publisher: Puffin
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0141383356
• ISBN 13: 9780141383354
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 432