Bedknobs and Broomsticks - Mary Norton > Reviews (1)

First of all, though "based" upon this book, any resemblance between this and the film of the same name is entirely coincidental. I must admit that reading the book as a child, after enjoying the film immensely, I was rather disappointed as it was so different. However, approaching the book away from film gives it the distance required to appreciate it in its own right. Or make sure you read it first!

This book began life as two: "The Magic Bedknob" and "Bonfires and Broomsticks" and was then merged into one. It is now featured in two parts with same lead characters of the three children: Carey, Charles and Paul, the children sent away to stay with their aunt in the country during the summer holidays and another woman in the village: a Miss Price who is studying to be a witch.
In the first part, they discover her secret and she makes Paul's bedknob magic to keep them quiet. This bedknob, when twisted, can travel anywhere that he wants to go. This leads them to adventures as they try to return to see their mother in London and then a trip to a South Sea island inhabited by cannibals!
In the second part, they return two years later and convince a reluctant Miss Price to go into the past to the time of King Charles II where they met a necromancer (you can look up what it means as I had to - it is quite educational in places, Miss Price would approve) and the adventures that leads on from this.

The story is wonderfully imaginative and original. It provoked lots of questions (on new words and old lifestyles) from my daughter as I read it to her. It was simply a real pleasure to read it again. On completion, I am left wishing they'd had more adventures and thinking where I should like to go if had such a magic bedknob. Also, I think the ending is beautifully conveyed and leaves the book with a wonderful warm-hearted finale.