The Secret World of Polly Flint

by Helen Cresswell

Polly Flint, a girl who sees things other people can't, finds herself involved with the "time gypsies" of Grimstone, inhabitants of a lost village who have become trapped in a time not their own.

Genres: Childrens, Fantasy, Time Travel, Fiction

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Helen Cresswell (1934–2005) was an English television scriptwriter and author of more than 100 children's books, best known for comedy and supernatural fiction. Her most popular book series, Lizzie Dripping and The Bagthorpe Saga, were also the basis for television series.

Reviews

[Melissa Sodano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was just the book I thought it was! After searching off and on for a decade, my request on BookSleuth finally pointed me in the right direction. This was indeed the book that I read in the third grade, circa 1987, that left me with a taste for magic.

The things I remembered from this book were mainly comprised of a Maypole, a clearing, a sparkling body of water, and a mysterious group of beings. As I re-read this book, there were moments when magic literally unfolded from the pages. I felt like a child again experiencing the story for the first time. That said, this book was written almost forty years ago, and I think that the quality of writing for young readers has improved over the years. So, while the story is fantastic, as an adult, I feel there are other stories that are more well-written (though maybe not as fun!). Additionally, the book takes place in England, so some of the outdated colloquially made me chuckle.

Polly Flint has just the right amount of mystery, magic, excitement, and wonder. She's a lonely girl going through a difficult time in an uninviting place. I honestly can't wait for my kids to be old enough to read this.

[Ana on the Shelves]

An Enchanting tale perfect for anyone who's hearts long for an adventure in the woods and some tarts after it.

[mairywo · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 5-star rating comes from how much I loved this book as a kid. I'm not sure I'd like it as much now. But when I was younger this was my kind of escape. I even used the idea for the essay of my entrance exam to high school.

[Milena Widdowson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my all time favourites. I haven't read it for years yet it stands the test of time. Helen Cresswell was a local writer (Nottinghamshire) and so the scenery, language and imagery really touch my heart. This is such an imaginative, gentle book with much adventure and magic woven in. Delightful. If you have a 8+ child into nature and magical possibilities, then this is a perfect book.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely at least four stars. I loved the characters and the story. As an 11- or 12-year-old, I would have read it more than once. Imagination and independence--at that time a kid was allowed to have both.....

[betterusername · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as a child probably more than twenty years ago and remembered it as a magical story with a beautiful nature setting.

I forgot about the title and author afterwards and only seemed to remember three details: A secret/vanished village, church bells and the name Polly. I was looking for this book online for years searching those keywords over and over, until, by complete accident, I finally found it online.

Rereading it, the story and its setting is just as magical and enchanting as I remember, the writing, however, feels very old-fashioned and not particularly sophisticated, even for a children's book. It was a nice trip down memory lane, though, and I'd recommend the book for young readers who aren't quite into the fanatasy genre but would still like a bit of magic.

[Swapna · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. This is the most boring children's book that I have ever read. It may be unfair to compare but Enid Blyton would have written an enchanting story out of it. It was a torture reading this and I had to abandon it halfway. I doubt if the kids of today's generation would go beyond the first chapter.

[Jeaux Bartlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book as a kid in England and kept it through over a dozen moves to different countries and states. I finally re-read it this summer as I was curious about why I loved it so much.

It's still a sweet story and a quick read (it felt much longer when I was 8) and I appreciate it's magic. It feels very English to me.

[Rob Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting addition to children’s wyrd fiction/fantasy of the 70s/80s. Whilst not folk horror, it is is certainly hauntology-light, with maypoles, spectral woodlands, “time gypsies” who “slip the net of time” and ideas of cyclical chronology. It’s no lost classic but has a vaguely Garnerian feel which should appeal to his fans or anyone with a soft spot for Susan Cooper.

[Pixie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A childhood favourite.

[Karen Griffith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A childhood favourite- have been trying to remember the name of this book for years!

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another of my childhood favourites. It was a book I bought with book tokens I'd saved for my school book club and I loved reading it. I also enjoyed the TV series that accompanied it. I still have my battered copy, it's not one I feel an urge to re-vist but I do have such fond memories of reading it.

[Oritje Sepmarama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ssst...I'll take you to the World of Polly Flint. It's the world under your feet, the entrance is by the lake, and everyone on this side of the earth is happily trapped in their childhood.

Remind me of my own secret world...

[Elevetha · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know those books that practically scream early 1900's, but in a good way? This would be one of them. It's just got that feel; the writing, the characters, even the story. So it's charming and cute but nothing spectacular.

[Dianna Hardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my childhood reads that I still remember now - I think I was about ten when I read it. I remember it being magical and whimsical, with a touch of abstract: great for the imagination. It must have been good, because I just got a hit of nostalgia :)

[Fiona Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Childhood favourite. Reread numerous times and fuelled the imagination. Would recommend for any child.

Want to reread it again now as I haven't read it in a long time.

[Tracy Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book set in an area local to where I grew up. Shared with my children,a true magical read.