Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Three Against The World, 4 Nov 2002
The White Mountains is the first book of the classic 'Tripods' trilogy by John Christopher. Set over one hundred years into the future, life is more reminiscent of the Eighteenth Century, as people live in small communities, stripped of the technological advances their ancestors once enjoyed; and all this because the world is now ruled by the Tripods, massive insect-like machines that stalk the earth.Fourteen-year-old Will Parker has witnessed every year the coming of the Tripod, whose purpose is to perform the annual Capping ceremony on those boys and girls who have come of age. The Cap, a silvery mesh which is woven into the bald head of those who receive it (the recipient's hair grows through and around the mesh in time, obscuring it from view) is said to symbolise one's crossing the threshold into adult life. But that summer, when Will's cousin Jack is Capped, the boy begins to suspect that the ritual serves a much more sinister purpose. After having their suspicions confirmed by an un-Capped travelling messenger, Will, his other cousin Henry, and their friend Jean-Paul decide to embark on a perilous journey to the distant White Mountains (the Alps), where other free-thinkers have gathered in defiance of the enemy. Together, the three boys travel through a decimated Paris, before stopping off at Le Chateau de la Tour Rouge, where Will falls in love with the beautiful Eloise - but a turn of events leave him heartbroken and more determined than ever to destroy earth's rulers. The boys wonder (as does the reader) what the Tripods actually are: intelligent machines made by the ancestors, or vehicles carrying alien beings? More importantly: Why are they here? What are their plans for the future of humankind? In the meantime: Will the young adventurers make it to the safety of the mountains? The two sequels, The City of Gold and Lead and The Pool of Fire, are tremendous supplements as our heroes discover the truth about the enemy and strive to overthrow them. Those of you who remember the BBC's adaptation for grape picking and circuses, don't be put off reading the original trilogy. It's not without reason that the blurb describes it as "almost unbearably exciting". The White Mountains is the perfect opener.
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
good story, average book, 4 Jan 2009
Like many others, I guess, I watched the bbc adaptation of the books in my youth. Michael Grade in his wisdom cancelled the series halfway through (and doctor who, good work Michael!)
I'd forgotten about the story but then read that there's going to be a film this year so i picked up the books second hand. All I can say is, good story, not a great set of novels. Anyone who thinks that Harry Potter falls into the same category should read these - they make JK Rowling seem like Shakespeare!
There's a massive massive story crammed into three tiny books. The characters are pretty thin, but it's a great yarn. Buy the books, trawl through them over a weekend and then wait for the film, when you'll be able to complain that it's not as good as the books.
Fluffy Little Kitten in Fluffy Little Kitten's Birthday
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5.0 out of 5 stars
one of the best SF thrillers for young adults ever, 12 May 2009
John Christopher is one of the great SF writers, along with John Wyndham, that the UK has produced for young adults. This is probably his masterpiece (though The Lotus Caves, The Chnages trilogy, The Guardians and The Death of Grass all well worth looking up.)
Will lives in a future in which all children get Capped at 13 by the tripods. This makes them slavishly adoring of their invaders. Life has reverted to a near-medieval, feudal agricultural system, whose harvest ceremonies and tournaments have been hijacked by the aliens for their own predatory purposes. Yet when Will meets a seemingly mad Vagrant on the road, he begins to ask questions about his parents' blind acceptance of the Tripods. He makes up his mind to escape, with his cousin. They must get to the White Mountains, in Switzerland, and once they get to France they meet Beanpole (Jean Paul) a geeky genius who helps save their lives by working out how to throw hand-grenades. A thrilling chase ensues.
By the second book, the remaining scientists and freedom fighters have decided that three of the boys should try to penetrate the Tripods' city by winning the annual equivalent to the Olympic Games. What horrors await them inside the green dome would be unfair to reveal, but this is perhaps the best book of the three, dealing as it does with intense loyalty and courage.
Christopher's imagination and style made a huge impression on me at around 9, and my son also loves thses books. I never saw the TV series, but wish these would be filmed so that a new generation would learn to love them.
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by John Christopher
by John Christopher
by John Christopher
by Mr John Christopher
by John Christopher
