- Paperback: 416 pages
- Publisher: Pocket Books; New edition edition (6 Oct 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0743461444
- ISBN-13: 978-0743461443
- Product Dimensions: 17.8 x 10.6 x 3.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 319,550 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
There are particular ironies involved in knowing that a story is going to end in misery and having to watch the detailed working out. We know from the beginning that terrible things happened at Kirkston Abbey, a 1950s public school, things so terrible that they gave a bishop a nervous breakdown--but by the time they actually happen we have learned to care about the people they happen to. As the narrator explains, it all begins with an act of kindness--aloof Rokeby helps sensitive Palmer with his Latin translation; two loners find a friendship that gets them through the bullying of boys and teachers. Those to whom evil is done, however, do evil in return, particularly once they get hold of a Ouija board, and what starts as resistance to oppression becomes a nightmare of vindictiveness and arbitrary destruction. Redmond has a real sense of the claustrophobic--the school is a Bad Place and the decade in which it exists is another--and is good on the social dynamics of scapegoating and bullying. This is an impressive first novel partly because it trades so successfully in ambiguities and partly because it is so painful. This is a novel about corruption, and a terrifying one. --Roz Kaveney
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
Kirkston Abbey is no place for the weak. Standing stark against the Norfolk sky, its aim is conformity and control; its rules harsh, its discipline savage. To 14-year-old Jonathan Palmer, it is a prison; a world in which he feels threatened and powerless. When he is offered the chance of escape, in the guise of an unexpected friendship, he accepts it gladly. But all is not as it seems. In combining his frustrations with a nature that is far more intense and destructive than his own, Jonathan is unleashing forces more powerful than he can ever hope to control. In the bleak winter term of 1954, something terrible happened at Kirkston Abbey school for boys. Now, more than forty years later, journalist Tim Webber thinks he's found the key to uncovering the truth. But is he prepared to live with the consequences ...?
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Like most of the readers on this page, I found "The Wishing Game" 'unputdownable'- the plot is gripping. I loved the way Richard is initially an admirable character but then turns into a monster. Like one of the readers, I too found the block capitals bits very irritating, and far too close to Internet 'shouting' than the late 50's atmosphere could have benefited from. Also, I did ask myself whether a 14-year old of the time would have sworn so much. All in all, though, I was totally gripped by the story, and couldn't wait to get to the end. When I did, however, I was quite disappointed by the lack of insight on what actually happened on the night of the seance. Whilst the author probably wanted to enshroud the episode in mistery, the result was a very unclear and unsatisfactory explanation - a real anticlimax. Had Redmond dared delving more into the occultist side of the story (a very risky thing to do), then maybe the ending could have been plausible. But it just wasn't. Anyway, I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't read it yet - go for it, it's a damn good book anyway.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I really enjoyed this book, it is definetely one of my favourites of all time. It was full of suspense and I couldn't put it down until the very last page. It is well-written, haunting and I would recommend that YOU read it!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is the last of this author's books that I have read, having loved all his others, and this one did not disappoint either, although I think my favourite has to be The Puppet Show. In this one we are taken to a boys school in the 1950s, to Jonathan and his friends, and to a very disturbing character with whom Jonathan forges an unhealthy alliance. What happens is truly chilling and will keep you turning the pages till into the night.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Page-turner
An engrossing suspense/psychological thriller. Well paced, well written. Richard Rokeby was classic, and very entertaining and I could really relate to Jonathon, he was a good... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Arawly
Hollywood steals and makes bad copys
The book Wishing Game(1999) from Partic Redmond was great, and im a little bit pickeled about the bad copy which is called The Moth Diaries(2002) of Rachel klein in my eyes wandet... Read more
Published 3 months ago by M360
Hit and miss (3.5 stars)
This novel was skilfully written and I enjoyed it for the most part, though I did find it disintegrated somewhat towards the end and overall the final chapter left me feeling a... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Nicola F (Nic)
Ultimately fails to live up to its potential
Jonathan Palmer is an ordinary public-school student who unexpectedly forges a friendship with the charismatic loner Richard Rokeby. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Anon
Mysterious and gripping....until a slightly silly ending, but still...
I picked this book up from a local supermarket prior to a holiday to Greece. The synopsis mentioned a terrible event that happens in the setting of a 50s boarding school for boys. Read more
Published 21 months ago by "Eirlys"
Amazing
This is the first Patrick Redmond book I have read and I have to say what an amazing book it was, it grabbed me from the start. Read more
Published on 15 Oct 2009 by L. A. Wray
unsatisfying
I won't blab on about how much this book disapointed me but I will say that it had the potential to be alot better. Read more
Published on 17 Sep 2009 by James Wallwork
A haunting debut by Patrick Redmond
This is the second book I have read by Patrick Redmond(the first was All she ever wanted) and I found it even better than that one, utterly unput-downable. Read more
Published on 20 May 2009 by jemima bear
Wow- Scary, intelligent and totally addictive!
I bought this book as I was drawn to the storyline and I was not dissapointed. I literally could not put this book down. Read more
Published on 26 Mar 2009 by Mrs. Sarah L. Pedwell
gripping but flawed
I almost didn't read the whole of this book as the opening few chapters are pretty dreadful in terms of style. Read more
Published on 19 Feb 2009 by Roger Southard
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