When the Wind Blows [Paperback]

Raymond Briggs (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2, 1988

Raymond Briggs' now famous bestselling comic cartoon book depicts the effects of a nuclear attack on an elderly couple in his usual humorous yet macabre way.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Raymond Briggs is one of the foremost creators of illustrated books for adults and children, including the unforgettable The Snowman and Father Christmas. THE BASICS THE BOOKSRaymond Briggs' parents have proved an important source of inspiration to the author/artist. His father was a milkman; his mother a former lady's maid. Raymond's unique characterisation of Father Christmas is based on his father - "Father Christmas and the milkman both have wretched jobs: working in the cold, wet and dark." His parents also influenced the character of Jim and Hilda, the victims of nuclear fall-out, in When The Wind Blows. Raymond left school aged 15 to study painting at Wimbledon School of Art. After completing a typography course at the Central School of Art, and two years of National Service, Raymond went on to the Slade School to study painting. His first work was in advertising, but before long he was winning acclaim as a children's book illustrator as well as teaching illustration at Brighton College of Art. Raymond was awarded the Kate Greenaway Medal in 1966 for his fourth picture book, The Mother Goose Treasury, and again in 1973 for Father Christmas. Published in 1978, The Snowman is perhaps Raymond's best-loved creation. He says that the book was partly inspired by its predecessor, Fungus The Bogeyman - "For two years I worked on Fungus, buried amongst muck, slime and words, so... I wanted to do something which was clean, pleasant, fresh and wordless and quick."Born: Wimbledon Park, January 18th 1934*Jobs: Artist, WriterLives: SussexFirst Book for Children: The Strange House, 1961*Raymond shares his birthday with A A Milne and Arthur Ransome

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (February 2, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140094199
• ISBN-13: 978-0140094190
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 8.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #293,480 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Get the right version, January 22, 2004

By 

T. Hewson "Tim" (Ottawa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: When the Wind Blows (Acting Edition) (Paperback)

This review is for ISBN 057311496X which I bought thinking that it was the illustrated version. This book is a play adapted from the original, although you would have no way of knowing from the online description. There are many different editions of this wonderful book so be careful that you order the right one.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Moving, Scary, NOT FOR CHILDREN, February 13, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: When the Wind Blows (Paperback)

this is a well disguised scary story - it starts out all nice and gentle, and the BAM before you realize your reading about nuclear fall out. it's very very scary, and depressing.

Timely to say the least ...

we are being told to protect our homes with Plastic drop cloths and duct tape... they were told to use wooden doors... read it and start thinking.

all that being said
it's beautifully illustrated - and well worth tracking down a copy.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book MUST return to print, October 10, 2001

By 

Jan Strnad - See all my reviews

This review is from: When the Wind Blows (Acting Edition) (Paperback)

When the Wind Blows is a classic of modern literature. It's one of the all-time best books I've ever read and it's tragic that it's been allowed to fall out of print. Get a used copy. Track it down. Look for it misfiled in the children's section...it's an illustrated book but it definitely isn't kiddie fare. When the Wind Blows is wonderful, just wonderful.