Amazon.com: A Foot in the Grave (Puffin Books): Joan Aiken: Books

From AudioFile
Shivery, creepy tales allow Denica Fairman to showcase her range of accents as she capably pulls off British, Scottish, Italian, American and Canadian characters. Although she reads some stories with little voicing, most have highly differentiated characters. Some are exceptionally effective, such as Zia Tisna, whose high, quivery voice is thick with the sounds of Sicily, and Aunt Ada, whose officious brogue makes her despicable. Other characters are grating, particularly males, such as the student and the lumbering art historian and insect exterminator, whose voices would better match those of simple-minded cartoon characters. Unfortunately, editing decisions were not always made with the listener in mind. Stories break at odd junctures for side or cassette changes, often close to the end of a story. Forgiving listeners will enjoy the spooky tales, however, and some memorable characterizations. T.B. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

From Kirkus Reviews
Eight handsome, ambiguous pictures by one of Britain's most innovative illustrators provide inspiration for the same number of ghost and horror stories by a skilled fantasy writer. A nasty grave-robber is hauled into a grave; a ghost-snatcher gets snatched; a poisonous old aunt, literally scared to death by her callous nephew, returns as a strangling vine; a strong-minded ghost refuses to return to the grave after her dog's bones are composted; and more, lighthearted or disturbing. The pictures are striking: luminous, tantalizing, by turns menacing or mysterious, they speak ``story'' from every anguished line, collage-like form, or boldly stenciled image. The stories are entertaining, with a strong sense of place, good pacing, and use of language (English, not American, and the better for it). But the two never fully mesh; they remain products of separate imaginations. A powerful visual image implies more than words can say; still, once one of these stories is told, the reader is left wondering what the real story was. (Even the jacket reflects this ambiguity, combining the title of one story with the picture from another). However, a little ambiguity is not a bad thing for imaginative young readers. An intriguing tour de force. (Fiction. 10+) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

A Foot in the Grave (Puffin Books) (Paperback)