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Long Lankin [Hardcover]

Lindsey Barraclough
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)

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Book Description

July 10, 2012
In an exquisitely chilling debut novel, four children unravel the mystery of a family curse — and a ghostly creature known in folklore as Long Lankin.

When Cora and her younger sister, Mimi, are sent to stay with their elderly aunt in the isolated village of Byers Guerdon, they receive a less-than-warm welcome. Auntie Ida is eccentric and rigid, and the girls are desperate to go back to London. But what they don’t know is that their aunt’s life was devastated the last time two young sisters were at Guerdon Hall, and she is determined to protect her nieces from an evil that has lain hidden for years. Along with Roger and Peter, two village boys, Cora must uncover the horrifying truth that has held Bryers Guerdon in its dark grip for centuries — before it’s too late for little Mimi. Riveting and intensely atmospheric, this stunning debut will hold readers in its spell long after the last page is turned.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

This atmospheric, pulse-pounding debut makes the most of its rural, post–World War II setting, a time and place where folklore uneasily informs reality. Barraclough controls her narrative with authority, shifting voices and tenses to provide both perspective and the occasional welcome respite from tension. . .A good, old-fashioned literary horror tale for sophisticated readers.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

This debut horror story set in Britain during the late 1940s starts slowly but weaves a chilling spell that will immerse readers in this world and hold them through to the breathless conclusion. . . .A spine-tingling selection.
—School Library Journal

About the Author

Lindsey Barraclough was born in Essex, England, and has worked as a music teacher. Long Lankin is her first novel. She lives in London.

Product Details

  • Age Range: 12 and up
  • Hardcover: 464 pages
  • Publisher: Candlewick; First American Edition edition (July 10, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0763658081
  • ISBN-13: 978-0763658083
  • Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 1.5 x 8.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #176,170 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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Customer Reviews

Great book, great reading that kept me up wanting to keep turning pages. Traci Blankenship  |  3 reviewers made a similar statement
There is a good mix of reality and the supernatural throughout the book. Rebecca Kelly  |  6 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Creepy...keep the lights on January 31, 2012
Format:Hardcover
Long Lankin disturbed me in the same way that Mrs. Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children did. It's about children, for goodness sake, and it's DARK. Ever so dark.

Cora and Mimi have no clue what they're in for when they are sent to stay with Aunt Ida. She clearly doesn't want them there, and it has little to do with being old and set in her ways. There's a long history of disappearances and death in her family, all of children.The village boys Cora befriends have no clue, either. There's a long-standing warning to stay away from the parish church building, with no explanation. This of course, doesn't stop anyone from exploring, though the church is little-used and frightening.I really like these characters. Cora is brave and thinks quickly. The boys personalities complement hers very well. Mimi is nearly a side character, despite the action revolving quite a bit around her. And Aunt Ida, the classic tragic character. All of them share in the telling of the story, changing narrators as needed. Thankfully, it's well done and the story doesn't lag or have missing blocks because of it.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully Creepy January 19, 2012
Format:Hardcover
'Everything was all right until they came.'

The Storyline

When Cora and her little sister Mimi are sent to live with their Great-Aunt Ida, it is clear from the start that they are neither wanted nor welcome in her house. For the time being the children must stay with her but she immediately sends word to their father that he must come get them, and he must come get them now. Cora, intrigued by the mysteries of the house despite their Aunt Ida's constant demands to 'not do this' and 'not do that', begins searching the house and the closely residing and equally mysterious church. Cora gleans information from various papers found in the house, from the local neighbors, and from strange carvings like the words 'Cave Bestiam' which is found in several locations. Cora finds out more than she bargained for: that her and her family are intertwined in the mystery, that no one is safe, and that there really is something very real to fear.

The Writing

I found the writing to be quite gripping and reminded me at times of Susan Hill's writing in The Woman in Black. I've read several books that write using multiple different points of view and they're not always done as well as could be. I believe it takes a talented author in order to make a multi-point-of-view story not seem too terribly overwhelming; this is definitely one of them. The main focus is on Cora and Roger but you occasionally get an unsettling view of Cora's Aunt Ida and the occasional glimpse into past events.

Okay, so, I'll admit it. I refused to read this alone. I also required a lot of sunlight. And yes, I'm a big weenie. It wasn't exactly creepy the entire time though. It was a bit like riding a wave, honestly. The book would lead up to a scene that would have you trembling in your boots and then everything would suddenly relax again and you'd be lulled into a false sense of calm before the next swell. Then the monster under the bed would jump right back out. Okay, comparing Long Lankin to the monster under the bed makes him sound like one of those monsters from Monsters Inc. Long Lankin... was not cute, fuzzy, or funny. Long Lankin was one scary mo-fo that I hope I never have a chance encounter with in a dark alley. Or in my bedroom. (Mental to-do list: nail windows shut before bed).

The Characters

Cora was quite a spirited little girl and didn't run in fear of anything, including Long Lankin on a few occasions. Cora? Pretty much my hero. She was an awesome big sister who didn't shrink in fear of anything when it came to saving her little sister Mimi. Now Roger... Roger was damn adorable and the frosting on the cake/story. I loved how the occasional funny lines from Roger that were thrown in managed to lighten the overall tension that the story exudes.

The Ending

So the ending lost a star for the overall rating because I can't help but feel that the ending left a bit to be desired. Predictable is the word that primarily comes to mind. I would have loved some cool crazy twist to it or have some rabid monkey show up (okay, maybe not a monkey... a lion?) Anyways, it seemed far too expected and I kind of sighed in disappointment when I was done. Still have plans to nail windows shut though.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book for all ages May 17, 2011
By JFG
Format:Hardcover
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Barraclough's beautiful writing and deep understanding of the way children think makes this a pleasurable (and spooky!) read all the way through. Set in England after WWII, there are lots of historical tidbits and good vocabulary words for the growing reader. I highly recommend it for adults and younger readers, alike.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars takes a while to get into this
I've been looking forward to reading this book for so long! And not only because it has a completely gorgeous, creepy, intriguing cover . . Read more
Published 1 month ago by Kayla
5.0 out of 5 stars Deliciously Creepy!
I'm very impressed that it is a first novel. It captured me from the first page and was downright creepy. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Das Englisch von Königin
4.0 out of 5 stars Good book
Very interesting story. It definitely sucks you right in and you can't put it down until it's over. Great read.
Published 5 months ago by Melissa
5.0 out of 5 stars This is one of the best books I have ever read
I love this book. If you are looking for a scary book then this is the book for you. I couldn't even read this at night because it got so scary.
Published 6 months ago by Kevin P.
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good and creepy!
Old fashioned creepy! Great book, great reading that kept me up wanting to keep turning pages. Very entertaining. Very dark. Makes you want to sleep with a light on! Read more
Published 7 months ago by Traci Blankenship
5.0 out of 5 stars Long Lankin - An Eerie Read With a Frightful Antagonist
From the very first page, Long Lankin has such a bleak tone that you know you're in for an eerie read. At the onset, Cora and Mimi are in a bad situation. Read more
Published 7 months ago by MarlaSTNC
5.0 out of 5 stars Good, scary book!
This book was well written, and it was very creepy! I would recommend it to anyone who likes monsters and some mystery.
Published 7 months ago by E. Smock
5.0 out of 5 stars A great, spooky read!
Long Lankin is a wonderful ghost story, written for young adults, but a good read for adults as well. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Rebecca Kelly
3.0 out of 5 stars Really wanted to like this book more.
As a long time fan of the folk rock band, Steeleye Span's rendition of the song "Long Lankin" I was excited to see someone had used it as the inspiration for a book. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Alaskana
4.0 out of 5 stars LONG LANKIN is deliciously creepy and infinitely charming
It's 1958, and Cora and her four-year-old sister, Mimi, are being dumped on relatives yet again. But with their mom gone, their dad has no choice. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Teen Reads
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