Leon Garfield -Trips into the 18th Century.

His first novel was the highly-acclaimed Jack Holborn. It's not a climactic ending but it manages to be a satisfying one. Leon Garfield (1921-1996) is widely regarded as one of the 20th centurys finest childrens writers.

There's another part which is narrated from the baby Sam's viewpoint - not in terms of language but in terms of understanding (where he frequently gets irritated that all his attempts to communicate are followed by being fed).įinally, the ending is very different to the usual one - no axe murders or gunfights here, things just shuffle themselves into a new status quo. There are other lovely touches, like a few character where the main character, Sam, is drunk and lordly refers to himself as 'one' in his own internal monologue. The whole second half of the book is set amongst touring actors and asks quite interesting questions about how we live in reality and in dreams - and what an actor's life, where the dreamworld of the stage has so much vigour than reality, does to a person. This is also one of his most adult books, there are lots of moments of reflection. An action-packed pirate story, with bloodcurdling deaths, terrifying ghosts and adventures galore on the high seas. That whole eighteenth century subculture of roads and constant movement was one I hadn't considered before and seeing it through Garfield's evocative eyes was very enjoyable. The Sound of Coaches uses the familiar Garfield tropes of the child of low social standing and mysterious parentage trying to decide his loyalty - but its done very well.įirst of all, this in the only novel set (at least partly) around the life of the coachman. Ex-libris but with minimal library stamps or marks, clean and tight throughout.The best of his later books and maybe my second favourite overall. He has illustrated numerous historical children's novels by Leon Garfield, beginning with Jack Holborn in 1964, and has also illustrated books by Eleanor Farjeon, Penelope Lively, Joan Aiken, Jan Mark and Aidan Chambers.

Illustrator Antony Jasper Maitland was born in Andover, Hampshire, UK, in the third quarter of 1935. His second book, Devil-in-the-Fog (1966), won the first annual Guardian Prize and was serialised for television. He wrote more than thirty books and scripted Shakespeare: The Animated Tales for television. He is best known for childrens historical novels, though he also wrote for adults. In this form it was first published by Constable in 1964. Leon Garfield FRSL (14 July 1921 2 June 1996) was a British writer of fiction. saw its potential as a children's novel and persuaded Garfield to adapt it for younger readers. Garfield wrote his first book, the pirate novel 'Jack Holborn', for adult readers, but an editor at Constable & Co. He is best known for children's historical novels, though he also wrote for adults.

Leon Garfield FRSL (14 July 1921 - 2 June 1996) was a British writer of fiction.

Jack holborn leon garfield