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Post by valdemar on Nov 27, 2012 10:12:17 GMT
I re-aquainted myself with this book, after finding it whilst doing a bit of tidying-up. I read the whole thing again, leaving the original task forgotten. It was as gripping as it had been, years ago, when I first read it. Previous to that, I remember it being read on BBC's 'Jackanory', and it scaring the bejesus out of me. It still works today.  The story concerns a young girl, Jonquil 'Jonk' Winters, who, on getting lost on a school trip to some local woods, finds herself in a strange grassy area made up of Tumulus-like mounds, which seem to form a gigantic hand... Jonk falls between the 'fingers', and there finds a glinting object that appears to be an ancient gold buckle. Taking it away is how the trouble, serious, dark trouble starts. A savage, unseen, but very real wolf-like dog. The silent, and frightening stone- faced man. The insidious and sinister 'leather men'. And what happens when the Green Man, the Giant under the snow awakens? Read it and find out. It's very similar to the works of Alan Garner in places, but that's not a bad thing at all, the snowy landscape bringing to mind the 'Fimbulwinter' of 'The Weirdstone Of Brisingamen'. The thing about this I like is the sense of creeping dread that builds and builds: little things happen, but each one is a catalyst for something worse to occur. This is a lovely book that still carries a powerful sense of unease, right from the very start. This is a book that deserves to be better known. If you want to give your children nightmares, read them this before they go to sleep.  |
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Post by jonquilwinters1968 on Nov 30, 2012 12:22:29 GMT
Always great to hear about fans of The Giant under The Snow. We love this book too - so much so we are working on the official film adaptation! If you'd like to follow our progress from script to screen you can via Facebook: www.facebook.com/GiantUnderTheSnow?ref=hlOr on Twitter @jonquilwinters Drop in and say hello if you get the chance - we love chatting with fans of the book! |
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Post by jamesdoig on Nov 30, 2012 19:50:51 GMT
Always great to hear about fans of The Giant under The Snow. We love this book too - so much so we are working on the official film adaptation! Sounds like a great project. |
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Post by valdemar on Dec 1, 2012 9:20:31 GMT
I've just had a squint at the pictures on facebook - the 'Leathermen' look particularly impressive. I hope that the film keeps the story in East Anglia - Norfolk to be precise, the odd, eerie part known as 'The Sandlings'. There are lots of instances of ancient habitation here, and the whole area has an odd, uneasy feeling about it - a kind of timeless waiting feeling, very similar to the Suffolk coast near Aldeburgh and Dunwich. Hmm. MR James gave Suffolk the Three Crowns, and John Gordon gave Norfolk the Giant Under The Snow. I like that, it has a nice sense of balance. Two of the creepiest stories ever written, cheek by jowl. ;D One thing though: why has it taken so long for Mr Gordon's book to be made into a movie, when far less imaginative books have had whole film series made of them? [Yes, Harry Potter, I'm looking at you.] |
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Post by dem bones on Feb 3, 2020 20:08:00 GMT
John Gordon - The Giant Under the Snow (Puffin, 1971: originally Hutchinson, 1968) Blurb: A breathlessly exciting adventure by a new author. An ancient warlord is on the march again with his fearful 'leather men,' and disaster will befall if he gets hold of the magic golden buckle which Jonquil, Bill and Arf are hiding.I re-aquainted myself with this book, after finding it whilst doing a bit of tidying-up. I read the whole thing again, leaving the original task forgotten. It was as gripping as it had been, years ago, when I first read it. Previous to that, I remember it being read on BBC's 'Jackanory', and it scaring the bejesus out of me. It still works today. The story concerns a young girl, Jonquil 'Jonk' Winters, who, on getting lost on a school trip to some local woods, finds herself in a strange grassy area made up of Tumulus-like mounds, which seem to form a gigantic hand... Jonk falls between the 'fingers', and there finds a glinting object that appears to be an ancient gold buckle. Taking it away is how the trouble, serious, dark trouble starts. A savage, unseen, but very real wolf-like dog. The silent, and frightening stone- faced man. The insidious and sinister 'leather men'. And what happens when the Green Man, the Giant under the snow awakens? Read it and find out. It's very similar to the works of Alan Garner in places, but that's not a bad thing at all, the snowy landscape bringing to mind the 'Fimbulwinter' of 'The Weirdstone Of Brisingamen'. The thing about this I like is the sense of creeping dread that builds and builds: little things happen, but each one is a catalyst for something worse to occur. This is a lovely book that still carries a powerful sense of unease, right from the very start. This is a book that deserves to be better known. If you want to give your children nightmares, read them this before they go to sleep. Saw this thread, saw an excuse to scan in the beautiful cover artwork.
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Post by cauldronbrewer on Feb 3, 2020 23:20:26 GMT
Saw this thread, saw an excuse to scan in the beautiful cover artwork. This artwork inspired me to buy the book. The story was fine, but I like the cover even better. |
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The story concerns a young girl, Jonquil 'Jonk' Winters, who, on getting lost on a school trip to some local woods, finds herself in a strange grassy area made up of Tumulus-like mounds, which seem to form a gigantic hand... Jonk falls between the 'fingers', and there finds a glinting object that appears to be an ancient gold buckle. Taking it away is how the trouble, serious, dark trouble starts. A savage, unseen, but very real wolf-like dog. The silent, and frightening stone- faced man. The insidious and sinister 'leather men'. And what happens when the Green Man, the Giant under the snow awakens? Read it and find out. It's very similar to the works of Alan Garner in places, but that's not a bad thing at all, the snowy landscape bringing to mind the 'Fimbulwinter' of 'The Weirdstone Of Brisingamen'. The thing about this I like is the sense of creeping dread that builds and builds: little things happen, but each one is a catalyst for something worse to occur. This is a lovely book that still carries a powerful sense of unease, right from the very start. This is a book that deserves to be better known. If you want to give your children nightmares, read them this before they go to sleep. 
