Peter Dickinson Critical Essay | Critical Essay by N. Danischewsky

Critical Essay by N. Danischewsky

[The] first chapter [of The Weathermonger jolts the reader] out of present time and space into a marvellously unpredictable, incredible story; and since he knows no more than the boy Geoffrey knows, he shares Geoffrey's frightening bewilderment at finding himself, without memory of the past five years, on a rock with an unknown girl in Weymouth Harbour…. (p. 143)

The children's escape to France, their superbly funny interview with General Turville, their return to England to find the cause of disruption—"not for France or the world or anything, but just to know", makes a fast-moving, very original story. I imagine it will be most enjoyed by the imaginative child, able to read anything and interested in everything. (pp. 143, 145)

N. Danischewsky, in Children's Book News (copyright © 1968 By Children's Book Centre Ltd.), March-April, 1968.

Whatever the faults of our age there is something very encouraging about the...
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