Verdigris Deep [Paperback]

Frances Hardinge (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2, 2008

Verdigris n. a blue-green rust that tarnishes ageing and forgotten copper coins, altering them entirely ...One evening, Ryan and his friends steal some coins from a well. Soon after, strange things begin to happen. Peculiar marks burn on Ryan's knuckles and light bulbs mysteriously explode. Then the well witch appears, with her fountains for eyes and gargled demands. From now on the children must serve her and the wishes rotting at the bottom of her well. In the tradition of truly fantastic story-telling, VERDIGRIS DEEP is darkly witty, utterly creepy and clever.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Frances Hardinge spent her childhood in a huge old house that inspired her to write strange stories from an early age. She read English at Oxford University, then got a job at a software company. However, by this time a persistent friend had finally managed to bully Frances into sending a few chapters of FLY BY NIGHT, her first children's novel, to a publisher. Macmillan made her an immediate offer. The book went on to publish to huge critical acclaim and win the Branford Boase First Novel Award. This is the paperback of Frances's second novel and she is already writing her third.

Product Details

• Paperback: 327 pages
• Publisher: Pan Childrens (May 2, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0330441906
• ISBN-13: 978-0330441902
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 7.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,489,464 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Outstanding Book From Hardinge, June 7, 2007

By 

Melba G. (Redwood City, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Verdigris Deep (Hardcover)

I loved Fly By Night and what I love about Frances Hardinge's second book is that it is nothing like Fly By Night, except that they are both brilliant. This one is set in modern times and follows the harrowing adventures of three children who find themselves drastically changing after they fish some coins out of a well to pay for their bus fare home. Little did they know that when they took the coins, they also took on the responsibility for granting the wishes that went with them.

This book is very original, funny, and the characters are so real and fresh. No stereotypes here. None are draped with a hero or villain cloth because they are all multi-layered, they all have strengths and weaknesses. The author can vividly describe a character, as in "the pallor of her hair and skin made her look as if she had been through the wash too many times, losing her color and courage in the rinse." And she can sum up a character in his actions, "his father glanced over his shoulder towards the kitchen and decided as usual that his voice could travel the distance without him."

Suspenseful, intelligent, well-written. This is an amazing book.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Verdigris n. a blue-green rust ...., June 4, 2008

By 

Amanda Richards (Georgetown, Guyana) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Verdigris Deep (Paperback)

...that tarnishes ageing and forgotten copper coins, altering them entirely...."

Throwing coins in a wishing well
And making a wish
It seems so simple
But have you ever spared a thought
For the coins?

Lying for eternity under the water
Among the slime and leaves
Forgotten by all but the verdigris
And of course the Well Witch
`Cos she's real

Three children find out the hard way
Short on bus fare
They dare to disturb the rusty rest
Of the coins, and naturally
The Well Witch

A price must be paid for their crime
He who takes the coin
Must grant the wish
Like verdigris, they become
Altered entirely

But, the tricky thing about wishes
Is that you can't just
Take them at face value
Because people don't always wish for what
They REALLY want

This book works at many levels
The characters
So cleverly developed
The plot so fiendishly crafted
I have goosebumps

Before introducing your child
To Stephen King
Lead them to
The murky waters and rotting wishes
Of the well


(Recommended for kids from 12 yrs to 99 yrs)

See also: Fly by Night by the same author


Amanda Richards, June 4, 2008

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just brilliant!, July 7, 2009

By 

Jeannie C. Whited "side-saddle maven" (Centreville, VA, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Verdigris Deep (Paperback)

Frances Hardinge's language is nothing short of brilliant. Her turns of phrase can give something so dull and mundane as a shopping cart life and personality, even an ominous presence. She does it with everyday words, casually and apparently without effort. Her characters are as distinct and well-drawn as your dearest friends, so very real and human. The tale itself draws you in, wondering where it will take you next.

I do not re-read many works of fiction. This one I have, and loved it as much on the repeat. Originally I didn't think I'd enjoy it, as it was described to me as a children's book. Don't let that fool you!! Tweens and up who enjoy a well-crafted tale, especially one of the supernatural, will beg for more Hardinge after this.