Items related to Pageants of Despair (Puffin Books)

Pageants of Despair (Puffin Books) - Softcover

 
9780140309324: Pageants of Despair (Puffin Books)

Synopsis

Pageants of Despair is a story of a boy caught in a battle between good and evil. After unknown assailants attack his mother, Peter is sent by train to stay with his grandparents. On that ride an uncanny figure leads him back in time to the fourteenth century village of Dunfield, where Peter will take part in a mysterious play in which the actors become the characters they portray. Peter believes he has been brought there to counter an unearthly, menacing influence, but a succession of terrifying experiences leads him to suspect, instead, that he might be destined to cause the disaster he is trying to avert. He needs courage to face the crisis and intelligence to solve the mystery. In this tale where ancient pageants morph into horrific realities, the author draws on the actual medieval Townley Cycle of Mystery Plays--which were performed annually at Wakefield, England--to give Peter's experience in the imaginary village of Dunfield a vivid true-to-life.

"The history is fascinating...Hamley has hit on the right road back to such lace-edged, antique virtues as honesty, gentleness, vision, and love."--Best Sellers

"The ancient tussle between God and the Devil seems to lie at the heart of this tale of sinister skullduggery in the Middle Ages. A good deal of background information on the Mystery Plays and extracts from some of the performances crystallise the setting; the atmosphere of religious superstition and its hold over simple folk are captured with a grim reality and a sense of lurking foreboding. [Readers who]...allow the tensions of time and mystery to work will share a strange experience in an unfamiliar world."--The Junior Bookshelf

"Hamley does create a lively picture of how the audiences and actors must have responded to the powerful messages of the miracle plays."--Kirkus Reviews

"The pageants are a frightening battleground--replete with medieval images of corporeal and spiritual corruption--from which Peter and his friends emerge triumphant."--Booklist

Dennis Hamley was born in 1935 in Kent, England. He read English at Cambridge University and worked for many years as a teacher, a teacher-trainer, and an adviser to schools. He also founded the Lending Our Minds Out creative writing courses for children. Hamley's first book was published in 1962, a modern version of three Miracle Plays. Pageants of Despair, his first children's novel, was originally published in 1974. In 1992 Hamley turned to writing full-time. His latest title, Ellen's People, is published in the UK by Walker Books. In between, he wrote more than fifty other books, including short stories, books for schools, and non-fiction for all ages. Hamley lives with his wife in Hertford, England.


"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Review

Praise for Dennis Hamley and "Pageants of Despair"

"The history is fascinatingHamley has hit on the right road back to such lace-edged, antique virtues as honesty, gentleness, vision, and love.""Best Sellers"

"The ancient tussle between God and the Devil seems to lie at the heart of this tale of sinister skullduggery in the Middle Ages. A good deal of background information on the Mystery Plays and extracts from some of the performances crystallise the setting; the atmosphere of religious superstition and its hold over simple folk are captured with a grim reality and a sense of lurking foreboding. [Readers who]allow the tensions of time and mystery to work will share a strange experience in an unfamiliar world.""The Junior Bookshelf"

"Hamley does create a lively picture of how the audiences and actors must have responded to the powerful messages of the miracle plays.""Kirkus Reviews"

"The pageants are a frightening battlegroundreplete with medieval images of corporeal and spiritual corruptionfrom which Peter and his friends emerge triumphant.""Booklist""

Praise for Dennis Hamley and Pageants of Despair

"The history is fascinating...Hamley has hit on the right road back to such lace-edged, antique virtues as honesty, gentleness, vision, and love."--Best Sellers

"The ancient tussle between God and the Devil seems to lie at the heart of this tale of sinister skullduggery in the Middle Ages. A good deal of background information on the Mystery Plays and extracts from some of the performances crystallise the setting; the atmosphere of religious superstition and its hold over simple folk are captured with a grim reality and a sense of lurking foreboding. [Readers who]...allow the tensions of time and mystery to work will share a strange experience in an unfamiliar world."--The Junior Bookshelf

"Hamley does create a lively picture of how the audiences and actors must have responded to the powerful messages of the miracle plays."--Kirkus Reviews

"The pageants are a frightening battleground--replete with medieval images of corporeal and spiritual corruption--from which Peter and his friends emerge triumphant."--Booklist

Synopsis

This work is intended for ages 12+. A strange encounter on a train transports young Peter back to the Middle Ages to take part in a mystery play where the actors become the characters they portray. Peter believes he has been brought there to counter an unearthly, menacing influence, but a succession of terrifying experiences leads him to suspect that he might be destined to cause the disaster he is trying to avert. He needs courage to face the crisis and intelligence to solve the mystery. Dennis Hamley - author of over 50 books - tells a rousing tale; his knowledge of medieval drama gives an extraordinary power to "Pageants of Despair".

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Buy Used

Condition: Fair
A readable copy of the book which...
View this item

£ 2.80 shipping within United Kingdom

Destination, rates & speeds

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

Search results for Pageants of Despair (Puffin Books)

Stock Image

Dennis, Hamley
Published by Puffin Books, 1977
ISBN 10: 0140309322 ISBN 13: 9780140309324
Used Paperback

Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Paperback. Condition: Fair. A readable copy of the book which may include some defects such as highlighting and notes. Cover and pages may be creased and show discolouration. Seller Inventory # GOR002447523

Contact seller

Buy Used

£ 3
Convert currency
Shipping: £ 2.80
Within United Kingdom
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Dennis Hamley
Published by Puffin Books, 1977
ISBN 10: 0140309322 ISBN 13: 9780140309324
Used Softcover

Seller: Hay-on-Wye Booksellers, Hay-on-Wye, HEREF, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: Poor. Some outer edges have minor scuffs. Cover has light scratches and marks. Textblock has foxing. Pages have tanning but still in good readable condition. Seller Inventory # 104757-4

Contact seller

Buy Used

£ 3.45
Convert currency
Shipping: £ 3.10
Within United Kingdom
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Dennis Hamley
ISBN 10: 0140309322 ISBN 13: 9780140309324
Used Paperback

Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Paperback. Condition: Fine. Seller Inventory # GOR013982538

Contact seller

Buy Used

£ 6
Convert currency
Shipping: £ 2.80
Within United Kingdom
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Hamley, Dennis
Published by Penguin Books, Limited, 1977
ISBN 10: 0140309322 ISBN 13: 9780140309324
Used Softcover

Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 50937878-6

Contact seller

Buy Used

£ 12.30
Convert currency
Shipping: £ 3.33
From U.S.A. to United Kingdom
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket