- Paperback: 176 pages
- Publisher: Hodder Children's Books; 2 edition (11 Aug 1998)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0340716002
- ISBN-13: 978-0340716007
- Product Dimensions: 19.2 x 12.8 x 1.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (197 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
226,577 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #23 in Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators > A > Almond, David
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More About the Author
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Michael can feel his sick baby sister's heart beating inside him, and as long as he can feel it he knows she is alive. But as her condition becomes life-threatening and the family faces the nightmare of an operation to save her life, Michael turns to his new friend Mina and the strange being, Skellig, who has been living beneath the crumbling garage at the family's new home.
In this most delicate and tender story of a young boy living in fear of death and coming to terms with life, you can almost touch the indefinable magic that Skellig--part owl, part human, part everything and nothing--brings to Michael's unsettled world.
With the gentle touch of an angel's breath, Almond, in his first novel for children, lets his characters think, feel and believe without overwhelming sentimentality. A dream of a book to touch even the hardest of hearts. --Susan Harrison
Review
' . . . gripping, beautiful and brilliantly written . . . Everyone is raving about this unforgettable book.' (THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH )
'Touched with a visionary intensity, this strange, hugely readable and life-affirming tale exercises every muscle of the imagination.' (THE GUARDIAN )
'A stunning debut . . . An extraordinary book.' (THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH )
'Touched with a visionary intensity, this strange, hugely readable and life-affirming tale exercises every muscle of the imagination.' (THE GUARDIAN )
'A stunning debut . . . An extraordinary book.' (THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH )
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
What an unusual and beautiful style of writing David Almond has. I was completely unprepared for how amazing this book is. The blurb does no justice to the content of this book. This book is pure magic. Pure imagination.
On first opening Skellig I was shocked at how short the chapters were but the beauty of them is that they keep you hooked. It is so fast paced that it is almost impossible to put down.
The story is full of intelligence and real life with a touch of those extraordinary and chaotic things that bind the story together. [The wonderful William Blake quotes, the story of our wings, the metaphorical connections and then of course there's Skellig.] The real magic though, is in the characters. The genuine honest emotions layered between each of them is refreshing to read.
This book blew me away. I highly recommend Skellig to anyone. If you are looking for something a bit different, try this book!
On first opening Skellig I was shocked at how short the chapters were but the beauty of them is that they keep you hooked. It is so fast paced that it is almost impossible to put down.
The story is full of intelligence and real life with a touch of those extraordinary and chaotic things that bind the story together. [The wonderful William Blake quotes, the story of our wings, the metaphorical connections and then of course there's Skellig.] The real magic though, is in the characters. The genuine honest emotions layered between each of them is refreshing to read.
This book blew me away. I highly recommend Skellig to anyone. If you are looking for something a bit different, try this book!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Brilliant book. It kept me interested every the time that I read it to my grandchildren. They enjoyed it too. It's a book which starts out a bit scary but ends well. It also deals in a sensitive manner with the trials and sorrows of children.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I (37 years old) brought this book for a friends daughter (11) last christmas. When she opened the present she had read it already, many times and gushed about how brilliant it was.
Enthused she then gave me two of her favourite books to read, this one (Skellig) and Butterfly Lion. I dutifully took them and in spare moments read them.
I enjoyed Butterfly Lion but was just amazed at Skellig. It is one of those rare books that is most definately a childs book but adults will also marvel at the deft touches of tenderness and personality each character is given.
Being a big old grown up person I kind of guessed what the ending might offer but never expected it to affect me in the way it did, else I wounldn't have been sitting in a crowded pub reading it.
If your a kid make sure its on your list, if your a adult read it, it might just remind you how magical childhood is.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
amazing read!
A great read for all- I used it to read with my class and they loved it! Book is suitable for all ages from 10 upwards. Characters are likeable and really emotional. Read more
Published 1 month ago by salma
Outstanding
I read this book and i just loved it. when i saw the title i thought 'oh no a scary book' which i hate but i started reading it and just couldn't stop. Read more
Published 1 month ago by BookWorm101
Good fast service
My son has been studying this book at school so rather than sharing a copy at school, we decided to buy his own copy.
Ordered and delivered with no problems at all. Read more
Ordered and delivered with no problems at all. Read more
Published 1 month ago by busybee
Jam-packed with adventure.
Jack(11): [...]
Skellig is a really great book stuffed with adventure, mystery and suspense. Read more
Skellig is a really great book stuffed with adventure, mystery and suspense. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Big Book Little Book
good buy
I bought this for my 13 year old son because he doesn't like reading but he is reading this at school and loves it. Good buy.
Published 4 months ago by K. Maclean
Good Read
An excellent story for younger readers aged 10 to 14 years. With well drawn characters and an engaging storyline, this is a thought provoking and original read.
Published 4 months ago by Sal
Brilliant, sensitive and touching
Having recently moved into a house that needs renovation, Michael and his parents have to put the work on hold when his baby sister (always sickly) falls suddenly ill and is rushed... Read more
Published 6 months ago by quippe
12 year old anonymous
I have read Skellig at my school and overrall despised it. Mainly because the characters are unable to convince and stereotypical and the specific plot is unfeasible and stupid. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Terrier girl
WOW!
Awesome book! Had to get this as part of my course preparation for teacher training. Although it's a kids' book I'm 24 and LOVED it! Read more
Published 9 months ago by Becca
Skellig Children's Book
I purchased this book as a gift for one of my students. It was gratefully received by a Year 7 pupil who had been reading the story aloud during our one to one sessions. Read more
Published 9 months ago by PEMBERS
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