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Elidor
by
Alan Garner
A mechanical street map, a deserted slum, a church in ruins, and a football. Four ordinary things lead the Watson children on an extraordinary adventure to a magical land called Elidor. In pursuit of four ancient treasures, the forces of evil have crossed over into our world, and it falls to the Watson children to find the treasures, seal the bridge between worlds, and gua
...more
Published
(first published 1965)
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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I picked this up at a used book sale, originally intending to give it to Cass. But I'm a huge fan of YA fantasy novels, so I decided to read it myself first.
Definitely has the same "feel" that Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising series has, or the Chronicles of Narnia, or other similar stories involving British siblings who must save a fantasy world. This one felt a bit more formulaic than some others and lacked the sheer storytelling magic that made me such a fan of the Cooper and Lewis, but it w...more
Definitely has the same "feel" that Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising series has, or the Chronicles of Narnia, or other similar stories involving British siblings who must save a fantasy world. This one felt a bit more formulaic than some others and lacked the sheer storytelling magic that made me such a fan of the Cooper and Lewis, but it w...more
This book was written some years ago, and it shows in the choice of words used. I did find this distracting at the beginning of the story. In fact, some of the phrases used were so weird that I had no idea what was meant. This did give the book an old fashioned feel to it, and I think this is the reason it wasn’t popular in the library. Hence, the reason it found its way to the “bargain bin”.
Putting this fact aside, the story itself was well done. It is a typical children’s book, where the adult...more
Putting this fact aside, the story itself was well done. It is a typical children’s book, where the adult...more
Sep 28, 2012
Noodles
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy,
young-adult
Interesting fantasy world, but then nothing happens with it!
There is a tiny bit at the start where they go to Elidor, and the book is looking promising at that point, but that's really the end of the action.
After this there's a long section where baddies are threatening to break into our world. This seems to take up about two thirds of the book, with nothing much happening except some weird static effects. There are some nice dark and moody bits here, though.
Then it builds to an uninspiring clim...more
There is a tiny bit at the start where they go to Elidor, and the book is looking promising at that point, but that's really the end of the action.
After this there's a long section where baddies are threatening to break into our world. This seems to take up about two thirds of the book, with nothing much happening except some weird static effects. There are some nice dark and moody bits here, though.
Then it builds to an uninspiring clim...more
view all 4 comments
Just bloomin gorgeous. But as always with Garner, I feel he's a bit too grown-up for me.
Kit (aged 34 and two thirds)
OK, OK. The fantasy world is understated and subtle -- the children spend very little time there, a neat rebuke to oh-so-convenient Narnian timescales, though it is mentioned that Elidorian time is also different to Manchester time. The Watson children have a realistic level of freedom - I'm assuming they're meant to be in their early teens - Nick is clearly 16 by the story's end,...more
Kit (aged 34 and two thirds)
OK, OK. The fantasy world is understated and subtle -- the children spend very little time there, a neat rebuke to oh-so-convenient Narnian timescales, though it is mentioned that Elidorian time is also different to Manchester time. The Watson children have a realistic level of freedom - I'm assuming they're meant to be in their early teens - Nick is clearly 16 by the story's end,...more
I listened to the audiobook, read by Jonathan Keeble. Keeble does a great job with all the voices and I loved the Mancunian accents. Manchester in the 1960s was perhaps my favorite character, if the setting can be a character. The real characters were less exciting. While Alan Garner had come up with some pretty authentic dialogue for Keeble to savor, and while the family's interactions seemed real enough- none of it was particularly interesting. The characters were just rather dull: Timid Helen...more
There's a case for saying that Alan Garner is the finest children's author of the late 20th century, but that does him a disservice. His books appeal to children and adults alike and Elidor is a fine example of his work. Set in Manchester, this is the story of four children who accidentally stumble into the dying world of Elidor and are set the task of safeguarding the four Treasures of Elidor against the forces of darkness that threaten to overwhelm it. But those forces find a way into our worl...more
When I was nine (back in the dim, distant past that we’ll refer to as 1968) I had a teacher called Mrs McEke. She was a strict disciplinarian but she probably needed to be given that her class was full of little oiks from the local council estate (like me!). Mrs McEke used to spend the last half-hour of every school day reading to us. She loved language and was a wonderful orator, bringing the stories to life through the strength of her vocal delivery.
Given that we were only nine she made some f...more
Given that we were only nine she made some f...more
I seldom give bad reviews to a book. I assumed that it was because my selection process comes through via recommendations that I trust. But recently, Elidor found its way into my view. I can't honestly remember where it came from...perhaps from an author's discussion.
This book is often mentioned as having to help start the Fantasy genre. And there are comparisons to be made to Narnia. However, I've commented on this before in one of my other reviews...writing has evolved tremendously in the last...more
This book is often mentioned as having to help start the Fantasy genre. And there are comparisons to be made to Narnia. However, I've commented on this before in one of my other reviews...writing has evolved tremendously in the last...more
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Dark and haunting and strange. And not necessarily in a good way. This is a children's book in character and reading level, but give this to a kid and you may turn them off fantasy forever. Which is too bad, because I loved Weirdstone of Brisingamen (apart from the cheesy Star Wars knock-off cover on my edition) and The Owl Service. But this one...well, "disappointed" doesn't half cover it. Add in "thin" and "odd" and "very depressing indeed" and you might approach it.
This is the best work by the this author that I have read so far! For one thing, his story line is a bit clearer in this book, and there are fewer characters to keep track of. The story is laid out more simply and is easier to understand,; not like some of his books that are so ambiguous you have no clue what is going on. He has wonderful original ideas in this one, and I love the magical Treasures and the unicorn. Malebron is too distant and mysterious to be real; he's really one-dimensional. B...more
Mar 29, 2013
Dark-Draco
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy-children-s
I never read Alan Garner's books as a child, except for one, so was immediately drawn to this boxset of five novels.
In this one, four children fall into another land when they go exploring in an old church. But Elidor is dying and they have to find the four treasures to keep them safe in our world. But people are trying to find them and the barrier between the worlds is breaking down. And the treasures have strange effects of their own...
A bit childish, but a nice story. The ending was horrible...more
In this one, four children fall into another land when they go exploring in an old church. But Elidor is dying and they have to find the four treasures to keep them safe in our world. But people are trying to find them and the barrier between the worlds is breaking down. And the treasures have strange effects of their own...
A bit childish, but a nice story. The ending was horrible...more
Elidor is an alternate world book, but it is unusual because the door between worlds is permeable and the young visitor and his siblings are pursued after their return home. Whilst saving the sword, bowl, etc. valuables in order to restore Malebron's world which has been left without color by a thieving wizard,the children return to their own world with the disguised but powerful objects. A great deal of electric activity accompanies the power as the two worlds vie for dominance. A unicorn named...more
I was given Elidor for Christmas when I was 12 and then it sat on my shelf for 17 years, unread. What a joy to read it now. Chilling, creepy, sinister. It's a fantasy novel, but is mostly set in Manchester, England, which provides more than enough in the way of otherworldliness. The deserted streets and half-demolished houses of the opening and closing chapters are evocative in that way that makes you look over your shoulder. The children are very 1960s conservative and the ending wraps up too q...more
Roland, one of four bored siblings exploring Manchester, watches his sister and brothers disappear one by one into a ruined church. Following them, he finds himself thrust into the ruined world of Elidor, frantically trying to find either siblings, or anyone, anything, not colourless and broken.
This is a short novel set primarily in our world. There are some purely creepy moments, and occasionally powerful use of language, but on the whole this isn't one of Garner's stronger novels. Remarkably a...more
This is a short novel set primarily in our world. There are some purely creepy moments, and occasionally powerful use of language, but on the whole this isn't one of Garner's stronger novels. Remarkably a...more
Apr 24, 2012
Karl Orbell
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
children,fantasy,parallel worlds,alan garner
When I was younger, I very much enjoyed watching the BBC's adaptation of this book, Elidor, on TV. So have always had this book marked as one to read at some point; it took a couple of decades, but now I have. The book follows a family of four children, who accidentally get caught up in the salvation of a parallel world, Elidor. There are four treasures that must be kept safe to keep Elidor alive, but the worlds are thinly veiled from each other in places and the darkness of Elidor threatens to...more
I wanted to read this because for some reason it sounded familiar. Maybe I watched the TV series a long time ago, I cannot remember. I think I might have started the book once but I don't think I ever finished it. Or if I did I have totally forgotten it.
I found it rather lacking in magic, for a book about another world.
Why should I care enough about Elidor to care about these children trying to save it? I'm afraid I didn't give a hoot. Elidor featured for merely a chapter or two - then the story...more
I found it rather lacking in magic, for a book about another world.
Why should I care enough about Elidor to care about these children trying to save it? I'm afraid I didn't give a hoot. Elidor featured for merely a chapter or two - then the story...more
I first read 'Elidor' when I was 10 years old in Primary School (so I am really showing my age) and the story always stuck with me, so it was a trip down memory lane when I read it again. I love 'Elidor' for various reasons, the story is well told, the characters unforgettable, the only downside of the story is how short it is, you want to read more. Definitely a book to share with my nieces and nephews and I know I will go back to 'Elidor' again and again.
It kind of aimed for Narnia, but kind of fell short. I wanted to believe in Elidor, but there was just not enough time spent there for me to fully understand anything about it. It was a quick read though, I just wish there was more magic and less normalcy. I can kind of understand why it was in the free basket at an Op Shop.
Reads more like a schematic than an actual story. Having all the action take place offstage made it seem flat. Again a "Monkey's Paw" effect--and the prose was less energized than his other stuff as well. One big long anticlimax. Also the kids' voices/personalities were not greatly differentiated.
If you think this is formula fantasy with four children charged with four magical treasures who overcome foes, and adult disbelief, to eventually triumph as heroes and save the fantasy land - you would be very, very, very wrong......really can’t say more without spoiling it.
As my review says, it was ok. Although, or perhaps especially because it was written for children I felt there would have been more fantasy involved rather than 3/4 chapters at the beginning and the last 2 chapters. So was a little disappointing in that sense.
it is a tale for all those imaginative children who look for real adventure and long to find their way into an alternative world where they might find it with all that entails - being alone and far from home.
I find Alan Garner's style of writing sometimes impenetrable, because nothing is explained for ease of reading. However, this is a rewarding young adult urban fantasy classic.
Jul 11, 2012
Sarah von Allmen
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-from-my-childhood
We read this in class at primary school, and I loved it - magic in Manchester! It was my introduction to Alan Garner, and I headed straight for the library to find more.
Interesting ideas and as ever with Garner, some fantastic imagery particularly in the closing scene but hard to get emotionally involved in.
This book was fine. I enjoyed the way it incorporated fantasy elements into real-world setting, but overall it didn't leave much impression.
I've picked this book up and put it back down many a time since I got it as a kid. I don't understand why though, as it was a surprisingly good read. Surprising because I remembered the amount of times I'd tried to read it and thought that probably meant it wasn't all that good. Well it was. Maybe though as a kid it was a bit of a difficult read, reading it now it seemed a little bit too mature for a children's book. I got the book because I loved the BBC series. About 15 years later I finally r...more
I was mesmerised by this book when I read it in school as a 12 year old. It made a big impression on me and loved the escapism.
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Alan Garner OBE (born 17 October 1934) is an English novelist who is best known for his children's fantasy novels and his retellings of traditional British folk tales. His work is firmly rooted in the landscape, history and folklore of his native county of Cheshire, North West England, being set in the region and making use of the native Cheshire dialect.
Born into a working-class family in Conglet...more
More about Alan Garner...
Born into a working-class family in Conglet...more
