Walk in Wolf Wood (Modern Classics) [Paperback]

Mary Stewart (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 6, 2001 | Series: Modern Classics

John and Margaret Begbie are picnicking with their parents in the Black Forest when they are mysteriously spirited back through time into the Middle Ages. There they meet Mardian, one-time servant and closest friend of Duke Otho, ruler of the country. He tells them a terrible secret - he is under the enchantment of the evil sorcerer Almeric, and is forced to assume a wolf's shape every night. Unable to return to the castle, the children are his only hope. And so John and Margaret disguise themselves as children of the court and embark on a thrilling and frightening quest to reveal Almeric's true nature and gain the Duke's confidence. But then Almeric becomes suspicious, and suddenly all their lives are in danger...

Editorial Reviews

Review

"1 THE LITTLE BROOMSTICK 'What enchantment... The author has used all her considerable gifts as a storyteller to spin this charming magical tale.' JUNIOR BOOKSHELF 2 LUDO AND THE STAR HORSE 'Superbly and movingly told, worthy of Hans Andersen.' FINANCIAL TIMES 3 LUDO AND THE STAR HORSE 'Sets Mary Stewart well on the rungs of the ladder of distinction in children's literature...' JUNIOR BOOKSHELF

From the Inside Flap

Two children picnicking with their parents in Wolf Wood are sent back into the world of the fourteenth century to rescue a kindly werewolf from a terrible fate. Illustrated with half-tones. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 169 pages
• Publisher: Hodder Childrens (December 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0340796634
• ISBN-13: 978-0340796634
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #77,122 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mart Stewart, one of the most popular novelists writing today, was born in Sunderland, County Durham, England. After boarding-school, she recieved a B.A. with first class honors in English Language and Literature from Durham University and went on for her M.A. Later she returned to her own University as a Lecturer in English. She married in 1945. Her husband is Sir Frederick Stewart, who is Chairman of the Geology Department at Edinburgh University, and a Fellow of the Royal Society.Mary Stewart's career as a novelist began in 1954 with the publication of Madam, Will You Talk? Since then she has published fifteen successful novels, including The Last Enchantment, the third book of the magical trilogy about the legendary enchanter Merlin and young Arthur. Her books for young readers, The Little Broomstick (1971) and Ludo and the Star Horse (1974), quickly met with the same success as her other novels. In 1968, she was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts. In 1971, the Scottish Chapter of the International PEN Association awarded her the Frederick Niven prize for the The Crystal Cave. In 1974, the Scottish Arts Council Award went to Ludo and the Star Horse.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A charming read for imaginative children, July 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Walk in Wolf Wood (Mass Market Paperback)

In this tale Mary Stewart departs from her usual romanctic suspense to write a charming tale for children. At 12, I found this book most exciting and a fun memorable read. The main characters are children who find themselves thrust back in time and unraveling a mystery as the aid a kindly werewolf. Older readers, more familiar with books such as Thornyhold and Touch Not the Cat may not find the plot engaging. However, you may consider buying it for your child or grandchild instead. A world of fantasy and suspense awaits within the pages of this book.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Wood" is great fun, August 1, 2002

By 

E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Walk in Wolf Wood (Mass Market Paperback)

"A Walk in Wolf Wood" is one of the lesser-known works of Mary Stewart, famed for her Merlin trilogy. It's an enjoyable short fantasy, with good heroes and an original plotline focusing on betrayal, time-travel, werewolves, and a royal intrigue that sucks in two modern children.

John and Margaret are on a family picnic with their parents, who doze off and allow the kids to go wandering in the woods. When they see a man dressed in sumptuous clothes from the Middle-Ages, naturally they are intrigued. As they follow him, they find a golden pendant, the tracks of a wolf, and a ramshackle cottage where the man is sleeping.

The man, they find, is a nobleman named Mardian who was betrayed by a sorcerer, in an effort to alienate him from his lord and friend Duke Otho. Mardian was transformed into a werewolf -- man by day, wolf by night -- and is hunted by the Duke's men. Mardian's main goal, however, is to save Otho and his son Crispin from Almeric's plots and sorcery. But he can't go near the castle. So John and Margaret agree to infiltrate the castle and try to defeat Almeric -- a task which proves much more difficult than they had thought.

Mary Stewart writes a simply-plotted but enjoyable story, with an interesting storyline and a quick pace. Her third-person writing style makes it a little difficult to get into the heads of the lead characters, but they are still very engaging. Her descriptions of the castle, the forest, and the people around Margaret and John are detailed without being too much so. And her handling of such worn ideas as werewolves and time-travel are deft and cliche-less.

Margaret and John are the now-classic British-kids-on-vacation, who stumble onto something strange and get sucked into an adventure. They're moderately smart, a little confused, and quite willing to go along with whatever strange things are going on. Mardian is a quiet, tragic type who is determined to
fix the situation in the castle, while Almeric is simply pure evil. Prince Crispin is a good supporter to the two leads, though not quite as interesting as they are.

This is an enjoyable fantasy for all ages, with good plotting and a classic pair of lead characters. "Walk" goes plenty of places, all of them interesting.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Werewolf Tale For the Young and the Young at Heart, March 14, 2000

By 

AK Lumina (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Walk in Wolf Wood (Mass Market Paperback)

The lady master suspense novelist has tried her hand at a children's book and come up with a beautiful piece of escape literature. Not only is the work well-written, but it gives a bit of kind attention to the oft' abused subject of werewolves. It is a whimsical flight of fantasy somewhat akin to the Narnia series in its spirit. Those who like to see werewolves without the mindless gore that customarily accompanies their presentation will appreciate this book, though it was certianly not originally intended to fascinate an adult audience.