Customer Reviews

Masquerade: The Complete Book with the Answer Explained

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In 1979, British artist Kit Williams published a children's book with a great hook--if you solve the puzzle inside, you could find a buried treasure. The book sold in droves on both sides of the Atlantic, and treasure hunters flocked to England. Eventually, someone discovered the treasure without solving the main puzzle. Williams later published this version, which reproduces the original book, but also explains the answer to the main puzzle. But without a treasure to find, interest in the original book declined and it is now out of print.

Which is too bad, because Williams' lush paintings deserve to be seen in a large hardcover version, not the tiny paperback available now. Not only are the illustrations beautiful to look at, but they are filled with details that invite the eye to search for clues. The text is also filled with riddles that are fun to solve too. This is a book you'll want to read again and again, even if you can't solve the main riddle.

One last point--the recent book "The Merlin Mystery" tries to duplicate Masquerade's feat, but the illustrator is no Kit Williams. If you want to read other puzzle books like "Masquerade", I recommend "The Egyptian Jukebox" by Nick Bartcock and "The Eleventh Hour" by Graeme Base. Neither of these books, I should warn, hide any treasure however.

Ever since first reading this book in my local library in 1980, I'd been itching to discover the location of the buried Masquerade jewel--not for the prize itself, which was found long ago, but for the sport of deciphering Kit Williams' paintings, which contained clues. Driven mad by the author's early assertion that it was "so simple, a ten year old could solve it," I worked at it periodically in the years that followed and finally caved in when I saw that amazon.com sold a version that contained the solution. I purchased the book merely to end my twenty years of suffering.

How close did I come to solving it? Not nearly as close as I would have liked--as an American, I have very little knowledge of England's geography (mandatory to solving the puzzle, despite the previous disclaimers). I did have part of the solution correct; I knew the letters that bordered each painting spelled out locations, but the method was not as simple as the author pretended. Needless to say, I feel much better now that I know this.

That having been said, let me conclude by stating that the story of Jack Hare's journey is enjoyable, the paintings are absolutely exquisite and the mystery is still intriguing, whether the jewel is still in the ground or not. I recommend it to anyone who loves puzzles--just be prepared to work hard at the solution; it's not easy!

masquerade caused a frenzy when first published in england. kit williams book was the first ever 'real' treasure hunt, with a 'real' prize buried somewhere in england. masquerade is no longer available, which is a shame, but, this little book not only covers the orignal story, but explains the answers to the puzzle of masquerade. this is a wonderful book for all ages to love and enjoy. buy it!!

I received the original hardback book as a gift when it first came out and spent hours and hours picking out all the clues that were hidden in the text, boarders and luscious illustrations. I wanted that beautiful, detailed hare pendant with it's terra cotta case so bad. I never figured that living in America I would actually be able to find it. I came a lot closer with just a guess about the clue that's on the second page than I ever thought I would.

One of my favorites.

The illustrations are great, plus it is very fun to try to solve all of the riddles. I had no idea that the jewl was found until i got the book, and my family and I never figured out the answer, but I did find all of the rabbits. The origanal book is very good, and if you have one, you should hold on to it, so in 40 years you can go to the Antiques Road Show, and get lots of money!!!

I bought "Masquerade" almost twenty years ago. I didn't know until now, that the jewel was found. I truly enjoyed reading, feeling and touching this book. I still hold my copy dear to me. If anyone can find the original book, they should try and solve it. What a gifted artist Mr. Kit Williams is. The pictures are so unique, I have never seen any other art work like it.

I too was first introduced to Kit Williams in my grade school 'gifted' class. Not only did Masquerade feed my imagination, but created warm memories of my family laughing and working together to solve the mystery. Every child-- every person-- should have a book like this in their hearts...

In the Mid-70's I was in a gifted program at my elementary school. The teacher brought in Masquerade and we all tried to be the one to find the jewel! See this book is a map to a 18k Rabbit Pendent/pin that the author made and buried in England. The jewel has long since been found, but I just recently re-discovered Mr. William's wonderful book in a used book store. The paintings in the book are the real treasure to me!

I first learned of this by reading a book with information on treasure hunts. It told the answers, and I thought, "How hard could this be?" As soon as I could, I checked Masquerade out from the library. I read it, tried to put the answers with the pages, and it was hard! I would definitely recommend this book.

Although I have only recently read Masquerade, it comes to mind that there was *another* book by Kit Williams; and the prize was a golden bee. My copy has taken it's leave of my bookshelf, and I would dearly love to obtain another!