Box of Delights - Hardcover

John Masefield

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0434960950 ISBN 13: 9780434960958

Publisher: Heinemann Young Books, 1991

Synopsis

'Two of the greatest children's books ever written' - The Times on Box of Delights and The Midnight Folk. 'And now, Master Harker, now that the Wolves are Running, perhaps you could do something to stop their Bite?' A magical old man has asked Kay to protect the Box of Delights, a Box with which he can travel through time. But Kay is in danger: Abner Brown will stop at nothing to get his hands on it. The police don't believe Kay, so when his family and the Bishop are scrobbled up just before Christmas, he knows he must act alone ...John Masefield's classic children's book is considered to be one of the great works of modern children's fiction. Magical, fantastical and filled with vivid, rich characters, The Box of Delights and its sequel The Midnight Folk are a must-read for any child.

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

About this edition

• Publisher: Heinemann Young Books
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 0434960950
• ISBN 13: 9780434960958
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Quentin Blake