The Children of Green Knowe
by L. M. Boston
List Price:
Our Price: $2.97
You Save: $3.98 (57%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: L. M. BostonIllustrator: Peter Boston
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2002-04-01
ISBN: 0152024689
Number of pages: 192
Publisher: Sandpiper
Book Reviews of The Children of Green Knowe
Book Review: Almost Enchanting, but ....
Summary: 4 Stars
Other reviewers have praised the book. But then, they also liked Harry Potter, and "Series of Unfortunate Events" as well, so that clearly showed me, as a College Prof, now HS dad, that I might not like this book, as the excesses of sardonic humor, death, magic, and evil, are all too prevalent in this day and age, to encourage the reading of fiction to stuff yet MORE garbage into my children's (or my!) head. As it is said, "Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof...".
But Green Knowe is different- perhaps because it was written in a gentler, kinder time. While there is fantasy, and a sense of the blurring of the dimensions (ghosts that are not evil, a world within our world that has connections to the past, and the interpenetration of them all) overall, this work has as much depth as Potter's does for the adult reader, without all the preachiness of 'PC' dogma which has so marred Rowling's later writings, and has influenced all of the film treatments. One really does not need to rehash Shirer's work on WWII in a Children's fantasy novel, which is all Rowling's works have become at the hands of her American editors...
Boston's world is alive- with literature, history, music, and artistry, which Rowling's is not. For adults, the references to the Restoration, Cromwell, Purcell's music, Anglican Church, and British Christmas customs provide a wealth for any HS parent discussing the period 1660-1700. But, as another reviewer noted, she never GOES anywhere- unless just BEING is enough. Her world is one to inhabit, not to holiday through, as if it were an itinerary of sights to check off. The ONE confrontation is scary, and could frighten younger audiences...but a vision of a redeemed world shines through. I was reminded while reading Boston, of Jame's novella, that Britten set to music in the opera, "Turn of the Screw." NOT "cheery" stuff, that!
If I seem ambivalent, it is because, while there is much to recommend in her writing, and the pictures she paints are very vivid, and full of life, the theological issues of the spirit world interacting with the real world, the malevolent curses of a gypsy long dead, and the subtle hints of either a strong genetic lineage, or a nascent reincarnationalism, coupled with clear Christian imagery and pious sentiment (Do ghosts really sing Christmas carols, without malevolent intent?) bothered me.
Is the book magical? oh yes, in many ways. Is it troubling, as say, Wind in the Willows is not? Oh, yes.. in equal measure. Is it a good read? Definitely. But the rest? I'm not sure....
Multigenerational Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Multigenerational Books
Rough Watersby S. L. Rottman
Puffin; Published: 2000-04-01; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.74
Price in other shops:
Back Home (Picture Books)by Gloria Jean Pinkney
Puffin; Published: 1999-06-01; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.99
Price in other shops:
Lucy's Picture (Picture Puffins)by Nicola Moon, Alex Ayliffe
Puffin; Published: 1997-06-01; Paperback; Book
Price in other shops:
Cook's Familyby Laurence Yep
Viking Penguin Inc; Published: 1999-12; Paperback; Book
Price in other shops:
Humbugby Nina Bawden
Puffin; Published: 1994-02-01; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.95
Price in other shops:
Me and My Family Treeby Joan Sweeney
Turtleback Books: A Division of Sanval; Published: 2000-04; School & Library Binding; Book
Price in other shops:
Where the Mountain Meets the Moonby Grace Lin
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Published: 2009-07-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $9.25
Price in other shops:
Charlie and the Chocolate Factoryby Roald Dahl
Puffin; Published: 2005-06-02; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.00
Price in other shops:
When I Was Young in the Mountains (Reading Rainbow Books)by Cynthia Rylant
Puffin; Published: 1993-01-01; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.36
Price in other shops:
Walk Two Moons (Newbery Medal Book)by Sharon Creech
HarperCollins; Published: 1994; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $6.01
Price in other shops:
Similar books summaries and other product reviews
Caddie Woodlawnby Carol Ryrie Brink
Books; Aladdin; Published: 2006-12-26; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.38
Price in other shops:
Mary Poppins (Odyssey Classics)by Dr. P. L. Travers
Houghton Mifflin Company; Sandpiper; Published: 1997-09-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.45
Price in other shops:
The Borrowersby Mary Norton
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN; Sandpiper; Published: 2003-04-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.57
Price in other shops:
An Enemy at Green Knoweby L. M. Boston
Sandpiper; Published: 2002-04-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $0.01
Price in other shops:
A Stranger at Green Knoweby L. M. Boston
Sandpiper; Published: 2002-04-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.26
Price in other shops:
The Stones of Green Knoweby L. M. Boston
Sandpiper; Published: 2006-01-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.80
Price in other shops:
Half Magicby Edward Eager, N. M. Bodecker (Illustrator)
Sandpiper; Sandpiper; Published: 1999-03-31; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.20
Price in other shops:
The River at Green Knoweby L. M. Boston
Sandpiper; Published: 2002-04-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.13
Price in other shops:
Treasure of Green Knoweby L. M. Boston
Sandpiper; Published: 2002-04-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.00
Price in other shops:
Tom's Midnight Gardenby Philippa Pearce
Harper Collins Publishers; Greenwillow Books; Published: 1992-10-30; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.83
Price in other shops: