This is a new edition of a classic text - with stunning illustrations from a much-loved illustrator.'And now, Master Harker, now that the Wolves are Running, perhaps you could do something to stop their Bite?'A magical old man has asked Kay to protect the Box of Delights, a Box with which he can travel through time. But Kay is in danger: Abner Brown will stop at nothing to get his hands on it.The police don't believe Kay, so when his family and the Bishop are scrobbled up just before Christmas, he knows he must act alone...
The Box of Delights
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Richard Mitchley relishes the glorious rhythms of Masefield's prose, essential to a convincing reading of fantasy. --The Times
Children will want to open John Masefield's Box of Delights. Richard Mitchley has a voice that is as rich as plum pudding, perfect for high Edwardian entertainment of this kind. --The Independent on Sunday
These new recordings are, I think, phenomenal. It is all achieved in a virtuoso display and the one actor doing everything enables tight and effective dramatic timing. These recordings will appeal to all and I heartily recommend them. Indeed, listening to The Box of Delights on the train just before Christmas and travelling into work I found myself delighted at delays to my journey. --Masefield Society Journal --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.
Children will want to open John Masefield's Box of Delights. Richard Mitchley has a voice that is as rich as plum pudding, perfect for high Edwardian entertainment of this kind. --The Independent on Sunday
These new recordings are, I think, phenomenal. It is all achieved in a virtuoso display and the one actor doing everything enables tight and effective dramatic timing. These recordings will appeal to all and I heartily recommend them. Indeed, listening to The Box of Delights on the train just before Christmas and travelling into work I found myself delighted at delays to my journey. --Masefield Society Journal --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.
About the Author
John Edward Masefield (1878-1967) was an English poet and writer, and Poet Laureate from 1930 until his death. He is remembered as the author of the classic children's novels The Midnight Folk and The Box of Delights, two novels Captain Margaret and Multitude and Solitude and a great deal of memorable poetry, including "The Everlasting Mercy", and "Sea-Fever", from his anthology Saltwater Ballads. Quentin Blake's first drawings were published in Punch when he was 16. He is known for his collaboration with writers such as Russell Hoban, Joan Aiken, Michael Rosen, and, most famously, Roald Dahl. He has also created much-loved characters of his own. His books have won numerous prizes and awards, including the Whitbread Award, the Kate Greenaway Medal, the Emil/Kurt Maschler Award and the international Bologna Ragazzi Prize. He won the 2002 Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration and in 2004 he was awarded the 'Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres'. Now in his 70s he is recognised as 'a national institution'. In 1999 he was appointed the first ever Children's Laureate.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
49 of 50 people found the following review helpful
By Rogerzilla
Format:Paperback
The (largely faithful) TV adaptation of this is probably better known than the book, but the latter is more rewarding. The lines between reality and magic are blurred throughout the story, and that's the way John Masefield likes it - he was Poet Laureate, after all, so you expect to be dazzled. It's most definitely a story to be read at Christmas, as the plot takes place the week before the big day.
In places the book shows its age - it was written in the 1920s - and isn't politically correct by today's standards. However, it's very funny, especially Abner Brown's evil monologues, the completely loopy Arnold of Todi and little Maria's constant attempts to shock people. The ending has been described as cliched, but may have been less so at the time it was written.
It's certainly worth reading "The Midnight Folk" (the Box of Delights is actually a sequel) as this helps to explain the origin of the characters such as Abner, the Rat and Caroline Louisa. The books complement each other very well, with one set in summer and the other at Christmas, but with largely the same characters and setting.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By Hannah Cobb
Format:Paperback
You may, like me, have first come accross the Box of Delights when it was dramatised by the BBC in the early 1980s, and shown at Christmas virtually every year that decade! It was through a fit of nostalgia about this that I sought out the book, and I have certainly not been disappointed.
Very simply the main character of the story is entrusted a magical box, which he endeavours to hide from a "gang of crooks" who also have an interest in the dark arts and the powers of the box. Masefield charts the adventures of 12(ish) year old Kay Harker, and those "blessed Joneses" (Kay's words, not mine!) over the four days leading up to Christmas in 1935, setting a good vs evil story against the background of going swift and going small, adventures in prehistory, pagan mythology, cars that turn into aeroplanes, scrobbling, incompetant policemen, snowy landscapes and well stocked larders!
Christmassy, and yet slightly dark, and utterly exciting, I would suggest this story has certainly not aged and I will definately be reading it to my children every Christmas until they too can quote all the words and make a possit as well as I can!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By J W HARKER
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
When I ordered this book I was not expecting such a fine copy of one of my most favorite Christmas stories, for the cost of the book it is excellent and I am proud to have it on show among my other books that cost quite a lot more. It is well bound in a lovely designed cover which represents the story well. I have to congratulate the seller and publisher on such a great book.The Box of Delights (Egmont Heritage)
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful service
Wonderful to hear the box of delights it came in the day before it was due
Great service I used to lstern to box of delights when I was little it is different then it was on... Read more
Great service I used to lstern to box of delights when I was little it is different then it was on... Read more
Published 10 days ago by mrs macphee
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not as I remembered it
I read this as a child and loved the radio series on the children's hour. But re-reading it now, I could not recapture the magic. Perhaps this is what getting old is about! Read more
Published 12 days ago by Mrs. S. I. M. Hodge
5.0 out of 5 stars
My favourite Xmas story
I bought is book for a friend at Christmas. I have loved this story ever since I watched it on TV as a child (nearly 30 years ago! Read more
Published 3 months ago by jopsy
2.0 out of 5 stars
A very old fashioned story
Although recommended by 'A Good Read' which I can usually rely on, this was not my cup of tea. A bit old-fashioned myself, even for me (63) this book was too dull and dusty.
Published 3 months ago by elizabeth busch
5.0 out of 5 stars
Box of Delights and Carol Symphony
While I have yet to re-read The Box of Delights it is a childhood favourite of mine fromBBC Childrens Hour years ago. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mr Dennis Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars
A nostalgic book
I bought this for my daughter-in-law. She particularly liked the hard back version and was pleased to receive it as the book has been out of print for a number of years.
Published 4 months ago by Yorkshire Granny
5.0 out of 5 stars
A priceless story
My daughter was interested in the story and video and although it is a child's book, she thought was very well written and appropriate for children
Published 4 months ago by Susan D. Bandin
5.0 out of 5 stars
it is Delightful!
Excellent Christmas story for kids who have a bit of knowledge of pre War Britain as it is a bit middle class! Also ideal for those of us who were kids a long time ago. Read more
Published 5 months ago by freerangehips
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best nostalgic Christmas book in the world!
This is the best book about Christmas ever, full of classic Christmas ingredients, snow, dark winter nights, Christmas trees, crackers, school holidays, adventures, good food and a... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mr. Richard Plechowicz
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Box of Delights
First came across this story on television in the 80's which I very much enjoyed. The original book, now on Kindle I decided to buy and see how it compares to that television... Read more
Published 5 months ago by C. ANTJOULE
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