Room 13 And Inside The Worm

Fliss Morgan #1-2

by Robert Swindells

In Room 13 , somebody was in there. Somebody—or some thing. There is no room 13 in the creepy Crow's Nest Hotel, where Fliss and her friends are staying on a school trip. Or is there? For at the stroke of midnight, something peculiar happens to the door of the linen cupboard next to room twelve. And something is happening to Ellie-May Sunderland, too—something very sinister. In Inside the Worm , the worm was close now. So close Fliss could smell the putrid stench of its breath. Its slavering jaws gaped to engulf her. Everyone in Elsworth knows the local legend about the monstrous worm—or dragon—that once terrorized the village. But it never really happened. Or did it? For when Fliss and her friends are chosen to reenact the legend for the village Festival, the four who are to play the part of the worm dance as one across the ground. They are the worm. And Fliss begins to feel real fear. Somehow the worm itself is returning—with a thousand-year hunger in its belly, and a burning desire for vengeance.

352 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1996

About the author

Robert Swindells was born in Bradford in 1939, the eldest of five children. He left the local Secondary Modern School at fifteen to work as a copy holder on the local newspaper. At seventeen he enlisted in the RAF and served for three years, two in Germany. On being discharged he worked as a clerk, engineer and printer until 1969 when he entered college to train as a teacher having obtained five 'O' levels at night-school. His first book 'When Darkness Comes' was written as a college thesis and published by Hodder and Stoughton in 1972. In 1980 he gave up teaching to write full time. He likes travelling and visits many schools each year, talking and reading stories to children. He is the secutatry of his local Peace Movement group. Brother in the Land is his first book for Oxford University Press. He is married with two grown-up daughters and lives in Bradford.

Author description taken from Brother in the Land.

Reviews

[Lily M ❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

[Ryan O'Pray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of two full Children’s Novels that each stand in their own right, despite sharing both major and minor characters. There is no recollection of events in either novel by any of the characters, despite them both dealing with the same theme (Possession - Horror: Gothic and Mythic). Remarkably, this doesn’t appear to affect either story in any way; the choice of Room 13 being first in line something I personally enjoyed for mostly aesthetic value (events of both books could be seen to mirror the concurrent Winter/Spring school terms).

The environment/space of school is embedded deep within both texts, which it filters through Robert Swindells’ great use of verisimilitude: for the effect of an almost hypnotising - ironically! - feeling of engagement in young readers.

I have yet to see a group of 12-13 year olds not enamoured by this story; indeed, it is the only class book I can remember enjoying at school when the same age.

The school trip, Gary Bazzard, the disco before leaving, Mr Hepworth, the visit to the shops; the rehearsal schedule, ‘Town Drunk’, flowerbed vandalism - all described with a passive minutiae that creates the great sense of verisimilitude for anyone who had a similar childhood.

It’s true: despite the easy, straightforward language of both novels remaining accessible, childhood has changed a few degrees since the late 80’s to late 90’s (when the verisimilitude of both texts was probably most potent). Children at present, by and large, interpret the world through digital means that were not widespread to earlier generations, so there is a chance that the sharpness of each story’s blade is not entirely felt... However, there is also a good chance this effect will end up only slight - as the nature of the interactions between the children themselves, and the adult world, would still likely appear relevant, kindred - the verisimilitude appears to be that strong.

[The Endless Unread · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with this book right from the start. It immediately drew me in by creating some intense suspense, not knowing what to think next. Loveable characters that immediately felt like family. This book was incredible and I cannot wait to devour the rest of this author's work.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, never read kids books as an adult. Review reflects how much I liked it as a kid.

[Fatima Aid · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring 😴