Remarkable, original and a real page turner.
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As a reader of children's fantasy, this book is a revelation. It follows so few of the conventions that its novelty makes it a page turner. The gritty slums of contemporary Manchester provide most of the background, and the deserted fantasy land provides the rest, both imbued with real ambience. The earlier Garner books, though great to read, feel pale and clichéd by comparison. The book enthrals and keeps you guessing from literally the first page to the very last sentence, which left me hungry for more.
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A classic if ever there was one
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I have to admit to never having read a Harry Potter novel, but think I'm well enough aquainted with the general theme and style of them to make the judgment that they are more fantasy than reality. The formula is obviously loved by kids, I'd say primarily because the author painted her characters so well. Elidor is one of the earlier Alan Garner novels (it may possibly be his first, I don't know) written with much the same intention as the HP books: To get kids hooked into reading by giving them a good espapist fantasy-adventure, with the hero characters reminding them pretty much of themselves. In Elidor at least, Garner clearly made the base setting in the world of working class kids, and this, at a time when working class still meant 'underpriveliged' and in some cases, poverty. So there is much more of a social reality existing in Elidor than there must be in the Harry Potters, and this is a good enough reason to give this book to your Harry Potter obsessed kids to have a look at for a nice change from that saturated fantasy world of HP. If nothing else, it could, to many middle class children, introduce them to a world as alien and fascinating as the world of Hogworts etc. that HP inhabits, and I don't even mean the flipside world that Roland and his friends escape into, in the book - But the world they really live in: 1960s down at heel Manchester, with all its drabness, its semi neglected, socially defined existing area, and the hard industrial core that sits uncomfortably close to people's lives. Infact I think Elidor must have even more to recommend it now than it did when it was first published.
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Can do better
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Let's start by taking it as read that an Alan Garner book will always provide a superior read than standard fare. But one can't help but feel a little disappointed by Elidor. Whereas The Owl Service and Red Shift successfully straddle the line between adult and teenage fiction, Elidor is, without question, a children's book. No shame in that - but it does come across as a kind of 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' for the working class. The book is very much a product of the sixties and whilst pretty enlightened in many respects, reflects some of the stereotypical views of the time. The whole thing is a little rushed and the ending in particular is less than satisfying. However, there are spooky moments and - as the previous reviewer says - the link between the mundane modern world and a magical kingdom in crisis is very well done. So a decent tale well told - but when you pick up a book by Alan Garner you expect something a bit more special.
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Elidor by Alan Garner
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Exciting story about four children who are given an item each from Elidor to protect. Alan Garner is brilliant at creating dramatic atmosphere. However, the story had a rather disappointing ending.
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A magical and totally unforgettable read.
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Although Elidor is usually classified as a Children's book and is indeed fairly short and easy to read, it will astound readers of any age. I first read this book at the age of ten and have re-read it on a regular basis over the last 30 years!
The plot is essentially a classic tale of Good against Evil where the fate of a whole world is held in the hands of four ordinary children.
However, what makes it so special is the way the Author intermingles our everyday, ordinary world (in this case, the back streets of Manchester) with the mystical world of Elidor. Characters, objects and magic "leak out" of one world into the other, making it quite a scary read for children , but by the the same score, totally captivating. At the end of the story you are left with the feeling that there really might be other worlds just beyond our vision.
If you have enjoyed this story you may well enjoy other books by Alan Garner, such as "The Weird Stone of Brisingamen" "The Moon of Gomrath" and "The Owl Service" where the theme of a more magical and mystical world lying just below the surface of our ordinary lives, is again explored.
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