Ralph's discovery of the burial site of a creature from another world leads him into a chilling supernatural adventure
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Grade 8 Up Seventeen-year old Ralph stumbles upon the burial site of a crea ture from another world. The capsule contains not only the perfectly pre served body, but also alien artifacts and weapons; it is these which drag him into an unexpected and terrifying adven ture. His opening of the coffin and his ill-advised experiments with an incredi ble blaster bring other creatures down from the skies; and he finds himself a key figure in an on-going galactic battle between two races resembling large, in telligent dogs and cats. The depiction of these ``dog things'' and cat creatures is impressivley handled. In other hands they could easily be ridiculous and comic, but Westall succeeds in making them realistic and, in the case of the canine Wawaka, frightening. Contrast ing glimpses of the interiors of their spaceship, which reflect the very differ ent attitudes of the two races, are also effective and inspired. Ralph's eventual decision to fight the aliens one last time, on his own turf, brings the book to a thrilling climax and puts the capper on his growth as a maturing character, one who is determined to strive for the ultimate good even though scared out of his wits. The protagonist here is less macho and more sensitive than earlier Westall heroes. He weeps, blushes, feels tenderness for his girlfriend, and is uncomfortable even killing rabbitsall of which render his final success more satisfying. This is an enjoyable, fast- moving science fiction thriller with lots of English country atmosphere , a well- drawn central character, and some fas cinating extraterrestrials. Lyle Blake Smythers, Library of Congress, Wash ington, D.C.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Cumbrian shepherd Ralph Edwards disturbs the hidden grave of an extraterrestrial and thereby involves his village in the last stages of an interplanetary war. Aliens resembling dogsthe Wawakakidnap humans for medical experiments; when taken prisoner, Ralph must be rescued by the catlike Fefethil, who used Earth in the past as their warriors' burial ground, and must now undo the effects of their ancient wars. Westall manages to slip an anti-vivisectionist message smoothly into his story, and his aliens preserve their animal qualities nicely (humans do look rather slow by comparison). Though some readers may pause at Northern English idioms and phrasing, the characterization of small-town life disturbed by an encounter with the supernatural is pleasing, often funny, and the adventure doesn't let up for a moment. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
FREE
Within U.S.A.
Shipping:
US$ 4.99
Within U.S.A.
Seller: SecondSale, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Item in good condition. Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00042017805
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: BooksRun, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Good. Ship within 24hrs. Satisfaction 100% guaranteed. APO/FPO addresses supported. Seller Inventory # 0688075959-11-1
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Very Good condition. Very Good dust jacket. In protective mylar cover. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp. Seller Inventory # B02A-03016
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.95. Seller Inventory # G0688075959I4N00
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 17025547-75
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: About Books, Henderson, NV, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Fine condition. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine dust jacket. Hood, Alun (jacket art) (illustrator). First American Edition (so stated). New York:: Greenwillow Books, 1988. Bright, shiny, clean, square, and tight. The Dust Jacket is slightly rubbed but NOT price clipped (11.95). No chips. No tears. No creases. No remainder marks. NOT a Book Club edition. No owner's name or bookplate. Pages are fresh and crisp, probably never read. No underlining. No highlighting. No margin notes. Summary: "Ralph's discovery of the burial site of a creature from another world leads him into a chilling supernatural adventure." Bound in the original orange boards and blue cloth spine, lettered in gold. Sharp corners. . First American Edition (so stated). Hard Cover. Fine condition./Near Fine dust jacket. Illus. by Hood, Alun (jacket art). 8vo. (vi), 170pp. Seller Inventory # 004151
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Southern Maryland Books, Waldorf, MD, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: New. Dust Jacket Condition: new. Seller Inventory # mon0000059741
Quantity: 4 available
Seller: Heartwood Books and Art, Fort Lauderdale, FL, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. Alun Hood(Jacket Illustration) (illustrator). First Edition. Urn Burial by Robert Westall A clean sharp copy. Bright pictorial dust jacket. Not price clipped. Stated "First American Edition" with full number line 1-10. BOOK. Seller Inventory # HCX18036-1
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: GoldenDragon, Houston, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: new. Buy for Great customer experience. Seller Inventory # GoldenDragon0688075959
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: GoldenWavesOfBooks, Fayetteville, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: new. New. Fast Shipping and good customer service. Seller Inventory # Holz_New_0688075959
Quantity: 1 available