Cheery Reading 6: The Box of Delights

[callmemadam]

Comments

[lizarfau]

Gabe hasn't read Box of Delights, but he enjoyed watching the DVD.

[callmemadam]

The book is quite long, longer than any of the adult books I've been listing.

I remember all the children being hurried home from the Crib Service to watch the last instalment. Happy days!

Box of Delights

[lizarfau]

I didn't realise it was on dvd, must look out for it. I remember watching with the children and loving it - probably more than they did! Haven't read the books though - something else to add to the TBR list!

Nicky
www.nicolaslade.com

Re: Box of Delights

[callmemadam]

I really enjoyed my re-read and might watch the DVD over Christmas.

[joyeuce]

The radio series was before my time and I don't have any clear childhood memories of the TV version (I'd have been eight), but the whole of the Hely-Hutchinson Carol Symphony has been part of Christmas for as long as I can remember, because my mother has always loved it. She had - probably still has - an LP which could only be brought out once a year in case something happened to it, and I think one of the best Christmas presents I ever managed to find for her was a CD recording.

My first copy of The Box of Delights was the TV tie-in one, so probably bought about the same time, and I remember my mother reading it to me, and then discovering The Midnight Folk for myself in a secondhand bookshop on the way to my secondary school interview. It wasn't until many years later that I discovered these were abridged versions; I now have the real thing!

[callmemadam]

The music is lovely. I can't remember when I first heard it on the radio, probably some time in the sixties, but I'm sure there have been other versions since then. I saw a first edition of TMF on eBay recently and was sorely tempted.

[anonymous]

I haven't read any Masefield for years, must hunt these out again. I have a vague memory of reading Odtaa when I was about 13 and thoroughly enjoying it, but have absolutely no idea at all what it was about. Will have to see if Abe have it. I do remember the TV version of The Box of Delights, I watched it with my children when they were young - dear me! how time flies.
The compliments of the season to you and yours by the way. Best wishes.
Oddny

[callmemadam]

Lucky that The Box of Delights was TV that could be enjoyed by three generations.

Thanks for the Christmas greetings, Merry Christmas to you, too.

[geraniumcat]

Could there be anything better than the combination of Masefield and that wonderful music? I'm going to buy the DVD now! I re-read it recently, but that's no reason not to do so again this year.

Happy Christmas!

[geraniumcat]

Oops, I bought the DVD of The Owl Service as well - shall wallow in nostalgia all Christmas. Big grin.

[callmemadam]

It's really magical.
The temptations of online shopping! I did see The Owl Service on TV but I don't know that I'd bother again. I first read the book when I was a student and was quite knocked out by it. Also thought Red Shift was wonderful but a lot of people hate it.

Enjoy your DVDs and have a happy and relaxing Christmas.

[geraniumcat]

I must have been about 14 when I read The Owl Service, I think, and it made a HUGE impression (which was great because I'd been avidly waiting for a new book since the moment I finished Elidor) - and I was still rather impressionable for the series, so even though I know it's going to look terribly dated, it will be huge fun to watch again.

I loved Red Shift, too, and have always been rather disappointed that everyone else's hated it - nice to know someone who didn't!