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The Children of Green Knowe

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The Children of Green Knowe

By: Lucy M. Boston
Narrated by: William Franklyn
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About this listen

'What if my great-grandmother is a witch!' thought Tolly, as he journeyed by train across the waterlogged countryside towards his great-grandmother's house. She wasn't a witch, but both she and her old house, Green Knowe, were full of a very special kind of magic. And Green Knowe turned out not to be the lonely place Tolly had imagined it to be. There were other children living in the house - children who had been happy there centuries before....

©1954 L.M. Boston (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Science Fiction & Fantasy

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All stars
Most relevant  
its great , I love the idea that the layers of time and family are all there and its not just the living, a great story xxxx

transports you

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immersive, breathtakingly atmospheric, and as emotionally rich and textured as an antique tapestry. Boston manages to make quite ordinary things resonate like fairy bells, while the supernatural elements of the story are quite matter of factly incorporated.

An ordinary and extraordinary role swap

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I love this story, it is Christmas to me. It's a lovely story, poignant in places but not a sad tale on the contrary it is uplifting. The narration is also spot on.

Wonderful

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It’s the low dark end of the year before Christmas grips and a perfect time to reread this classic. An essential part of my annual reading list. Just creepy enough and brings a tear when the past and present blend together to a satisfying Christmas conclusion.

Superb and timeless children’s classic

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This timeless story, so sensitively written by Lucy Boston, gently takes the reader into a world of snow, friendship and magic. I grew up treasuring this book, reading and rereading many times over.

Whilst William Franklyn does justice to some sections of the story (e.g. the ‘action’ sequences), much of the beauty of the quieter scenes and nuances of the dialogue are lost. Please Audible, commission a sensitive narration!

Wonderful story needing a better narrator

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I was unfamiliar with this story, and felt compelled to seek it out once I'd heard family discussing it over Christmas - from the opening chapter I was expecting a mystery to solve in the vein of 'the box of delights', but it turned out to be much more homely than that: a charming story of a young boy discovering his family house and its varied occupants throughout the ages. Beautifully read by William Franklyn (of course some musical effects would have elevated the production and modernised it, but the tale is just as fine without) - but I do recommend picking up a physical copy if you can, for the accompanying illustrations by the author's son. I read that the sequel won the Carnegie medal for fiction, so I will be seeking that out next Christmas when I'm in quaint fantasy mood!

A ghostly Christmas escape

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What did you like most about The Children of Green Knowe?

I have adored this story ever since I first heard it on Jackanory in 1966. It predates Harry Potter as a children's story that is just as magical for grown ups. It's a ghost story about a little boy who finds himself spending Christmas with his great grandmother in a 1,000 year old house (which really exists and you can visit it) - and the ghosts of his ancestors. The writing and story telling are masterful and it's wonderful for dark winter evenings.Unfortunately William Franklyn isn't quite up to the job. He's great at narrative, but not good at female voices - he only has one voice for all the female characters. And his singing is execrable; flat as a pancake and no idea of the well known tunes he's supposed to sing. A little more attention to detail, such as having someone play the flute and a few children singng would make all the difference. And an actor or actress who can do more than one voice.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I love them all

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of William Franklyn?

Stephen Fry or Samantha Bond plus a decent flautist and some child singers.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Oh yesssss

Needs a new narrator

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I have read this book every Christmas since childhood,but thought I would try the audio version this year. It did not disappoint..William Franklin’s narration is superb. Highly recommend.

Christmas tradition

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Listen to this book twice good tell if old times would record it to my friends

A good read

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Real nostalgia. shame about the singing would have been lovely to have a better voice

Christmas

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