The Moon of Gomrath
Sequel to The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, Colin and Susan return to The Edge to find the magic is still very much alive.
I felt this book had a more 'grown-up' feel to it - maybe because the children in the story were a little older. I loved it because it gave me more of what I initially enjoyed, but there are more characters to meet, more references to norse mythology and the sense of place is extended. This time, areas of the Goyt valley feature.
Peak District: Northern and Western Moors
We used this very useful little guide for its 'In and Out the Goyt' walk which takes you round the reservoir, Errwood Hall, up to Pym Chair, Cat's Tor and Shining Tor. It also provides some snippets of info about the various landmarks.
The Weirdstone of Brisingamen
Fantasy adventure involving two school children and their adventures around Alderley Edge.
With references to norse mythology, the book mixes fantastic characters with a strong sense of place that offers a realism to the tale, firing the imagination.
I first read this when I was about ten years old but have re-read many times over the years.
Elidor
Three children kill time wandering through a wasteland in Manchester and unwittingly stumble across a derelict church that marks a point where the boundaries between this world and another merge and eventually bleed...
I first read this book when I was about twelve years old and re-read it recently. One of the reasons I think this book, as with the Weirdstone books, captured my imagination as a child, was the sense of place. This time, the adventures occur in Manchester - in ordinary streets with ordinary children. Ordinary objects have mystical connections and qualities. This opens all manner of possibilities and fantasies to the everyday child in everyday surroundings. Found objects become talismans from other worlds and time - fantastic fodder for children's imagination!
The Owl Service
The discovery of an old dinner service in a loft, gives rise to Alison's obsession with the owl pattern that awakens a power, echoing a Welsh legend.
It was some years ago when I read this book and I'm due to re-read it as the details are hazy. Again, it explores the idea of history recurring, through the discovery of a common object - in this instance, the dinner service. It almost makes you think that any discovery, however seemingly mundane, can unleash a chain of events that affect a number of lives.
Red Shift and Thursbitch
These adult books both explore the theme of links between place and lives, separated by time. Its something we often consider when we visit somewhere of historical significance - who would have walked these steps all those years ago, what would their lives have been like - do we share a connection with these people? This is explored through everyday people in tangible places - how they are drawn to locations, leaving you with a feeling that maybe there is some inexplicable force that drives or pulls us all.