Alan Farmer

Advantages: good story
Disadvantages: none

..., for the sleeping kniights are Arthur and his men, waiting for the time when the country needs them again, and the wizard watching over them is Merlin. It is with this myth that Alan Garner begins his story 'The Weirdstone of Brisingamen'. Having set the scene with this tale, Garner moves forward in time, to the early twentieth century. Colin and Susan are siblings whose parents are working abroad. They have been sent to stay with their mother's old nurse, now married to a farmer. The mossack's are a homely, friendly duo who make the children welcome. Soon Colin and Susan are out exploring the local landscape, and most particularly the mysterious Alderley Edge, full of caves and old mines as well as legends. (I've been there, it's an amazing place.)Without warning, they find themselves thrust into dangers and magic, threatened by dark elves- the svart... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: This book is excelent for younger children who are just beggining to read as it does not have many big complicated words in it.
Disadvantages: I can't think of any disadvantages but there probably is one.

...Fantastic Mr. Fox is an excelent book about a fox who lives near three farmers, Farmer Boggis, Farmer Bunce and Farmer Bean. Mr. Fox trys to steal all of the farmers' chickens and gets away with it all through the book, even with the farmers making lots of plans to kil him. Mr. Fox also makes lots of plans but he plans to steal the farmers' livestock. Dahl uses lots of figures of speach including similies and metaphors and at one point he uses onomatopea (interperating sounds with words.) Overall I thought the book was excellent, one of Dahl's best books! I would recomend this book to adults and children. It is my favourite book by Roald Dahl. Rating: 5/5 Enjoy reading!!! For ages 5-14... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: An absorbing story with wonderful detail
Disadvantages: The beginning is hard work

...A man in his sixties recalls a summer from his childhood spent at a country house of a schoolfriend, a summer of privilege and freedom but one that ended in lost innocence and tragedy. It’s 1900 and Leo is asked to spend the summer at the grand country home of his schoolfriend Marcus. He doesn’t reveal that his father was a bank manager so he is not of the same class as the Maudsley’s but enjoys his first taste of upper class living. The other occupants of the house are all grown ups and Leo, left to his own devices when Marcus falls ill, becomes an observer of their lives and excesses. He grows attached to Marcus’ beautiful sister Marian and readily agrees to carry what he believes are business notes between her and a local farmer, little realising it will end in tragedy. The first couple of chapters of this book are pretty hard... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful