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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
While Philip Pullman's greatest popularity is as a creator of novel-length magical realism for young adults, such as The Northern Lights, he continues to explore and stretch the limits of other children's and young adult genres. Clockwork is no exception. With its inspiration lying solidly in the German romantic tradition of E.T.A. Hoffmann and the Brothers Grimm, the story begins, as all good fairy tales do, with someone whose human weakness sets events inescapably in motion. As the townspeople of Glockenheim gather in the White Horse Tavern on the eve of the unveiling of a new figure for their great town clock, Karl, the clockmaker's apprentice, reveals to Fritz, a young storyteller, that he has not been able to construct the figure. A new clock figure is expected of all apprentices, and Karl is the first in hundreds of years to fail. Fritz, in his turn, has the beginnings of a new story to tell, and as it rolls off his tongue, its dark antagonist materializes and offers Karl his dearest wish. Not surprisingly, Karl's Faustian pact brings him destruction, but an innocent child is the deus ex machina that saves another child and the spirit of the town from seemingly ineluctable oblivion. With its eerie black-and-white illustrations by Leonid Gore and its happily-ever-after ending to some thrilling suspense, Clockwork is a fine fairy tale for younger children and a thought- provoking twist on the art of narrative for older ones. --Barrie Trinkle
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
A fantastic fairy tale from the Master Story-teller, Philip Pullman.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
49 of 50 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
'Clockwork' is one of the miniature marvels of modern storytelling, a thrilling tale about good versus evil, kindness versus selfishness and life versus art. The tape, read by Anton Lesser, has just kept my children spellbound in the car for its entire duration.
The great clock of Glockenheim (which really exists)features clockwork figures that come out and move at different times of day or year, and the prospect of a new one by Karl, the clock-maker's apprentice is an event that has people coming from far and wide. On the eve of this great event, a number of people gather in the local inn to hear the latest story by Frtiz, a novelist, who is famed for his hair-raising tales. The one he tells tonight is about their ruler, Prince Otto, who returned from a hunting expedition with his little son Florian, with no heart, only a piece of clockwork that caused him to lash and lash his horses...
Just so, says the narrator, is a story wound up - and this is a tale as finely balanced as a work by the sinister Dr.Kalemenius. How can a little clockwork Prince find a new heart? How can Karl redeem himself from not having fulfilled his contract?
A marvellous, creepy, wise and funny story about a Faustian pact and storytelling itself, it's perfect for children of 7 upwards.
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Clockwork by Philip Pullman is one of the most gripping and entertaining books I have ever read, it has thrills and leaves you on a cliff hanger on almost every page.
I read it in about 3 or 4 days, it's one of those books which you start reading thinking you might not like it, then after a chapter you can't put the book down. It was the first Philip Pullman book I've read, and now I can't wait to read another one of his books, or even read Clockwork again.
I'd recommend it by far, and would you believe that I came across this book in my school.(WHAT A GREAT BOOK TO PICK!!)
From Romelly aged 10
I read it in about 3 or 4 days, it's one of those books which you start reading thinking you might not like it, then after a chapter you can't put the book down. It was the first Philip Pullman book I've read, and now I can't wait to read another one of his books, or even read Clockwork again.
I'd recommend it by far, and would you believe that I came across this book in my school.(WHAT A GREAT BOOK TO PICK!!)
From Romelly aged 10
49 of 51 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I've read Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy and his Sally Lockhart quartet, and loved both series, and I'd been considering buying this for some time. I only got round to it a few days ago, and I'm so glad I did - it's an absolutely fantastic story, brilliantly constructed and written. Don't be put off by its appearance as a "kid's book" - I'm in my 20s and was blown away by it. It has the feel of a Brothers Grimm fairy tale. There are quirky characters, magical and scary creations, and a wonderful atmosphere. What's so impressive about it is the way the story is constructed - just like, as the title suggest, clockwork. It's told in two separate parts, which both lead up to a third part when the two stories come together - but the second part is very much a part of the first part, seen from a different point of view. There are also insightful and amusing little asides on almost every page, little snippets of information, like the little cogs that all add up to make a clock work. You get little pieces of the puzzle, and finally everything comes together and makes sense at the end - it is a fantastic story. Overall, a wonderful book by Philip Pullman, who has the amazing ability to write stories that appeal to both adults and children. I can't wait to read more of his fairy tales.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Quite good.
I must admit that I actually expected even more about this book because of all the good words I have read here in amazon. Read more
Published 8 days ago by Isra
The book that got my son reading!
Getting my son reading has been like pulling teeth, as long as there is a football to kick around, or a computer game to play. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Tallulah Bea
A brilliant book for (nearly) all ages
A small book, but a real gem, and one of my favourites books of the last 20 years. Think Grimm's Fairy Tales, but with a modern style of telling. Read more
Published on 12 Dec 2009 by Financial Phil
Clockwork or All Wound Up
If you missed this book the first time around, it is well worth taking a look.
The preface sets a Christmas card like scene of children sitting by Grandfather's feet,... Read more
The preface sets a Christmas card like scene of children sitting by Grandfather's feet,... Read more
Published on 22 Nov 2009 by Laurel F. Morgen
Pullman is not just about Northern Lights
As the narrator of this scary fairy tale says, Pullman winds up his story and lets it play and it is dark and terrifying in the great tradition of Grimm and Andersen. Read more
Published on 5 Oct 2009 by Jo Bennie
Pampas Class Review 3 - Wonderful
Clockwork Review - Purple Group
Philip Pullman's clockwork book has really struck us with excitement and kept us on the edge of our seats. Read more
Philip Pullman's clockwork book has really struck us with excitement and kept us on the edge of our seats. Read more
Published on 3 July 2009 by C. Meyrick
Pampas Class Review 2 - Super
Clockwork Review - Green Table
The story sets in Germany with Herr Ringer man - the famous clockwork maker and his new apprentice Karl , but when he gets a task, he... Read more
The story sets in Germany with Herr Ringer man - the famous clockwork maker and his new apprentice Karl , but when he gets a task, he... Read more
Published on 3 July 2009
Pampas Class Review 1 - Great!
Clockwork review
Our year six class recently read one of Philip Pullmans creative novels called Clockwork. Read more
Our year six class recently read one of Philip Pullmans creative novels called Clockwork. Read more
Published on 3 July 2009
I'd say better than 'his dark materials'
i bought this book because when i was at junior school (yr 6) my teacher read this to the class, and i was encased in the story from then on, this is a brilliant story even if... Read more
Published on 31 Aug 2008 by Kelly
Nice idea, but could have been better
This is typical Pullman stuff - fantastical, pleasantly grim and unconventional. In this case the story is about clock makers in Germany, and though no specific date is given, it... Read more
Published on 25 Aug 2008 by NARV
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