Kasper in the Glitter

by Philip Ridley, Chris Riddell (Illustrator)

Kasper goes into the city to retrieve a stolen brooch. He is enticed into the gang of the evil King Streetwise, who sets out to enslave lost children. Before the end of the tale, Kasper has to rescue his mother, kidnapped by King Streetwise, using the biggest banoffi pie ever created.

Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Childrens, Adventure

224 pages, Paperback

First published July 9, 1995

Reviews

[Daisy]

This is the sole book that got me into reading. I was in year 3, and my teacher, Mr Anally read this to our class. It was amazing. I used to think I was the girl in it, who cuts off all her hair to get a boy to leave her alone, and for a time I was tempted to cut off all my hair - although I'm very glad I didn't actually do it.
I was a very late reader, and I refused to go near books before this.
After I'd remembered what it was, years later, I was determined to find it, but of course, the book was out of print by then. And then, by chance, I saw it in a second-hand bookshop.

I would recommend it to anyone who loves quirky stories. It might be a bit young for older teenagers, like I am now - unless you have some attachment to the story like me. But for younger readers it's perfect. Or even if you just want an easy read, this is a brilliant book. And I'll always remember it as the book that changed my life.

[Lee Watkins]

A childhood favourite. I was a big fan of Philip Ridley in part because of the integration of Chris Riddel's inimitable illustrations. It was the first set of books that introduced the concept of text and pictures together in a proper novel. As regards the book itself, the range of situations and bizarre characters was more striking than in other books. I remember the king of the dump or something at the end who had a crown made of rubbish. Banoffee Pie as well stuck in my head because of that book.
It really got me into the other Philip Ridley books.

[Duncan Mcleod]

I read the final few chapters to my Year 4 class this week and they loved it, describing the characters as "hilarious", "weird" and "strange". And accurately so, I should add. So much so, that I asked to borrow the book so I could read it in its entirety.

Philip Ridley's stories, I am told by my students, are full of such wonderful characters which is why they love his books. Indeed, the eccentric titular character, Kasper Whisky; his nemesis King Streetwise and Kasper's mother, Pumpkin are of the bizarre mould that are the staple of many popular children's fiction.

So descriptive are these characters that one of my literacy classes next week is on describing a character and I am going to be using this book as a basis for my lesson plan.

[Ter]

Kasper in the glitter, queerness a palate

[Momento Elmetwaly]

This book was so good I didn't like pumpkin at the beginning but after that I did i also didn't know why he would crash out on her then he would say sorry he should let her deal with it anyway my favorite part was when the girl told kasper she loved him and my favourite character was the boy with the perfect quiff before and after he cut it anyway just give this book a 5 it was amazing

[Atikah Wahid]

A childhood favourite that I still own today! I absolute love its creepiness, awesome illustrations and just really unique world-building. Until now, I'm still hoping to get a taste of that banoffee pie!

[Riana]

Kasper and Pumpkin live in a desolate neighbourhood in a retired beauty salon. Although grateful for his safe and consistent life, Kasper is lonely, and cannot believe his luck when he makes a new friend one night. But, new friendships - and even old ones - are always accompanied by a test of trust and Kasper's monotonous life soon changes irrevocably.

This is a sweet and adventurous children's story. The characters are quite a sight - would make for a fun movie! - and Chris Riddell's illustrations are somewhat dark, yet delightful. The characters's repetitive sayings got a bit much at times, but then again, it is supposed to be a children's book.

The lessons in this story are encouraging and makes it a worthwhile read: be loyal to friends, accept people who are different, have patience with others' mistakes and remember that you can never really lose your "sparkle," as it comes from within you!

A fun, entertaining read with a bit of a dark and deeper side.

[Hilma]

3.25 ⭐️
"Tiedätkö veli Kasper, planeetallamme on niin paljon typeryyttä, että joskus ihmettelen miten se pysyy kiertoradallaan" Tuutilulla spitting facts

Tästä tulee vähän mieleen Roskaa ja Kärpästen herra, kun kertoo lapsista.

Tosiaa mul ei ollu yhtään kirjoja lainattuna nii piti turvautua kodin kirjahyllyyn. Tää oli suunnillee ainut järkevä mitä en sieltä ollu jo lukenu. (Kirjasto oli eilen kiinni niin en saanu Poppy Waria pitää yrittää myöhemmi uudestaa. Kävin kyl tänää keskustas ja ostin yhen kirjan hups 😔)

[Ваня Атаманенко]

An adorable story about friendship and how it helps go through hardships. Seasoned with a portion of humour and wit.

[Kara-Louise Hay]

This is my favourite childhood books could read over and over again amazing story line and great characters wish it was developed it to more books or even a movie

[Letto in casa]

Un fantasy (ma non troppo) strano (ma non troppo). Tra falene, torte Banoffi, lettini abbronzanti, ciuffi e rose. Illustrato divinamente.

[Megan Holmes]

A childhood favourite

[Emiliano Dominici]

Non sono mai stato un grande lettore di libri per ragazzi, neanche da ragazzo. Ho letto questo perché, curiosando su Anobii e altrove, ho trovato notizie di questo autore di culto, Philip Ridley, che ha scritto, sin da giovanissimo, racconti, romanzi per ragazzi e per adulti, sceneggiature, opere teatrali e ha persino diretto due film. Io non l'avevo neanche sentito nominare, e allora mi sono prima di tutto guardato un film, The Reflecting Skin, storia tristissima di un bambino nell'America rurale. In Italia sono stati pubblicati soprattutto i suoi romanzi per ragazzi, quelli per grandi non sono riuscito a trovarli, e allora mi sono cimentato nella lettura di questo "Kasper...". E' un romanzetto carino, con varie invenzioni linguistiche e una visione dell'infanzia non banale, ma non so dare un giudizio di valore più preciso, perché mi mancano i termini di paragone con altri romanzi per ragazzi. Si intuisce però che nodo centrale di questo romanzo, e sospetto di molte altre opere di Ridley, sia il rapporto del figlio con la madre. Infatti, se non ricordo male, anche in "The Krays", film di inizio anni '90 coi fratelli Kemp (degli Spandau Ballet), la cui sceneggiatura è stata scritta proprio da Ridley, uno dei punti focali della storia era proprio il rapporto dei due fratelli con la madre. Insomma, mi piacerebbe leggere qualcosa di più impegnativo, spero di trovarlo. Le librerie a Livorno non sono questo granché...

[Marie-Louise Rouget]

Reread this for the first time in 20+ years. It's so very 90s and took me right back to that time as a young reader, discovering weird and wacky stories on my own in the local library. It's a ride that I enjoyed then and still enjoy now. I wonder what kids would make of it reading this now? Does it translate? I sincerely hope so. The combo of Ridley & Riddell is just perfection. 👌

[Max Flentge]

Sick story, gloomy setting and AMAZING illustrations. After "The Little Prince" this is my favourite childhood book for sure. I've always loved the grotesque and I read a lot of Goosebumps as a child too, but this weird story was something I went back to time and time again.

[Emily O'malley]

A really good book and has lots of great illustrations from Philip Ridley.

[Stephanie Silva]

Kasper Whisky lives with his mother Pumpkin far away from the city.but the arrival of a boy called Heartthrob mink changes Kaspers life forever...

[Chris]

One of my favourite books when I was younger. Re-read it quite recently and it's still great! Beautiful illustrations combine with a great storyline.

[Manasa]

It is very great book. I enjoyed various characters and the way story was told.but I do not think I would cut my hair just like that

[Profseka]

its a good book

[Cynthia]

My first love.

[James Day]

Another great book from my years at school...

[Khawla]

This book is given to me by a friend. The story is very queer indeed its fascinating. It's recommendable to children and teens and even adults may enjoy it.

[michael]

Weird and wonderful. It may just be nostalgia but this book belongs in my heart.