Saturday 26 January 2008

Nostalgia

I loved this book as a child and I have to say that I love this book as an adult. Garner's writing is multi-layered and there are nuances to his writing that I am sure that passed me by as a child such as the differences between those who speak English and Welsh and the class barriers between the children which divide them. The story feel both fresh and as ancient as the myths it encompasses. Why Alan Garner is not as popular as JK Rowling I don't know as he should be.

5 comments:

brunhilde said...

This is one of my favourite books and was a terrific tv series I think in the 70s. Really really scary and sad - must read again!

riverwillow said...

I am so with you. I vaguely remember the TV series, which seems to be a cult classic. It was adapted by Garner himself and apparently emphasised the relationship between the three teenagers, maybe it will be released on DVD at some point.

brunhilde said...

I have a feeling one of the teens in it committed suicide in real life not long after the programme. It encouraged me to buy The Mabdignonono -er, book of Welsh legends on one of which it was based.

Also hope you enjoy These Old Shades - DD's favourite Heyer and pretty high up my list. Nearly told you why but that would give the plot away!

Anonymous said...

I love this book and I agree with you that Garner is vastly under-rated. I think that adults in general tend to speed read his work and miss the subtleties that it contains. Have you read his 'Stone Book'?

riverwillow said...

Tabletalk, sadly I've not read 'The Stone Book' but having looked it up on Amazon it looks like a must buy. But not for a while as I must clear some books from tbr piles first.