New Windmills: The Trial of Anna Cotman

by Vivien Alcock

The Trial of Anna Cotman (New Windmill) Alcock, Ms Vivien

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Juvenile, Childrens

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Born September 23, 1924, in Worthing, Sussex, England; died October 11, 2003, in London, England. Author. Alcock was a bestselling author of mystery and fantasy fiction for young adults. Her early training and career, however, was in commercial art, and she attended the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Arts from 1940 to 1942. She left school to become an ambulance driver for the Auxiliary Territorial Service during World War II; after the war, she held several different jobs, including as an artist for the duplicating firm Gestetner Ltd. from 1947 to 1953. This was followed by three years as an employment bureau manager; and from 1956 to 1964 Alcock worked as a secretary for Whiltington Hospital in London. Although she had enjoyed storytelling and novels since she was a child, Alcock was shy about trying to be a published author and was content to stay in the background behind her famous author husband, Leon Garfield. However, she did occasionally give him ideas for his books, such as the popular Smith stories. It was not until 1980, therefore, that she finally published her first novel for teenagers, The Haunting of Cassie Palmer. Alcock continued writing fantasies, ghost stories, and mysteries through 2001, many of which proved popular with teens and some of which were adapted to television as movies and series. She published almost two dozen books in all, including Travelers by Night (1983), The Cuckoo Sister (1985), The Monster Garden (1988), A Kind of Thief (1992), Time Wreck (1996), A Gift on a String (1998), Ticket to Heaven (2000), and her last book, The Boy Who Swallowed a Ghost (2001). Several of her novels were named notable books by the American Library Association (ALA), and The Monster Garden was named the best science fiction/fantasy book of 1988 by the ALA.

Reviews

[HM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this book on my shelf for about 7 years and I'm just mad I didn't read it sooner. This book is short but wildly impressive. It's an insane mix between Lord of The Flies and The Egypt Game. Something about it has biblical connotations while still remaining a chilling children's book and it's weird enough to the point where I could see my younger self greatly enjoying the mystery and drama of it all. One of the key things I look for in kid lit/middle grade books is their ability to appeal to children and adults. This book did it splendidly. Yes, this book is a little bit of an oddball, but the characters are overt enough for children to distinguish between right and wrong and the plot had enough separation from a child's narrative for an older reader to enjoy it. I loved this book 10/10 would recommend.

[Juliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read this book in elementary school, it felt as though something were happening that was above my head, completely mystifying. This time it was just as engrossing, if more understandable. Outstanding children's literature.

[Marsaili · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this when I was really young. Its been years since Ive revisted the story but ive held onto my copy of it which I do for those few stories that really stand out as impactful and meaningful stories thatll probably stick with me forever. Alcock weaves together such a powerful story, id recommend to any kid out there

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just not my thing -- not engaging. I mean, I read it, I finished it. Secret society, drugs, mean girls. It just didn't have enough substance or enough to care about.

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember nothing about this book except that I read it and adored it at age 13-14. Now I need to find it...

[Jaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, With a good meaning.

[Goddess Of Blah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A SECRET SOCIETY....


DARK. CHILLING. SOPHISTICATED. ENGROSSING


POLITICS. ABUSE OF POWER. TOTAL OBEDIENCE.


CORRUPTION. TOTALITARIANISM. VIOLATION.


It starts off as an innocent idea to create a secret society (Freemasons etc) to help each other. However, the club rapidly grew and amassed more power than it could legitimately handle.... resulting into something dangerous.

Sophisticated, engrossing, well written and extremely intelligent - it's a chilling COMING-OF-AGE book that portrays the danger and seduction of power, drugs, injustice and corruption.

SPYING. DEMOCRACY. CIVIL RIGHTS. INJUSTICE.

I was particularly intrigued by Lord in Yellow - no one (with the exception of the "ruling class" within the secret society) were aware of his identity - the unseen enemy and thus, this lack of transparency allows him to wield immense power and issue threats. The author skillfully manifests the dangerous this entity poses over the masses without anyone questioning him his authority.

It's a dark plot brilliantly executed and I highly recommend it. I read this when I was in my teens and still count it as one of my favourite books.

[Gena Lott · Rating 3 out of 5]

In many ways this book is a less aggressive, less exciting "Lord of the Flies." The authors of the two books are certainly investigating the same ideas: that once we lose our identity, it becomes easy to lose our humanity.
However, Alcock seems afraid to go quite as far as William Golding did in his landmark book. Her story falls a little flat and because of that I don't think it will keep the interest of many but the most dedicated reader.
Because of the themes and underlying issues involved, 6th grade readers and above.

[Vida · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite coming-of-age stories for young adults, right up there with Konigsburg's "View from Saturday" and Lockhart's "Disreputable History..." The plot's nothing amazing but the characters and the dialogue are. I could go on and on about the latter two but I'd rather you just read the book and find out for yourselves (I have a copy I can lend).

[Cara Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this when I was at intermediate, and got a bit excited today when I found we had a copy in store. So I was pleased to discover that it's still a good story, well-told, and with sympathy even for the nastier characters.

[Sharu Alexia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't ever get yourself or your family in trouble..