Puck of Pook's Hill

The hidden history of Old England, lovingly written by Kipling for his own children, is coupled with a brilliant reading to make this one of the premier family listening events of the year. The story has everything listeners could want: enchantment, high adventure, battles, intrigue, all wrapped up in romantic poetic language. Through pitch and pacing alone, Nadia May conveys not only the distinct voices of the children, Dan and Una, but also those of the impish Puck and a host of characters who tell the story of those who lived near Pook's Hill. In true turn-of-the-century fashion, the book isn't the least bit politically correct, but Kipling's language fairly glows and, after all, how could he know about modern-day sensibilities? Allow yourself to succumb to the magical tale, awakened by Dan and Una on Midsummer's Eve and brought exquisitely to life by Nadia May. S.G. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

When young Una and Dan go out to do the play of Midsummer's Night Eve, they conjure up old Puck himself. Through him, people of old England come to tell their stories to the children, bringing the past to life. They tell of Normans battling Saxons (as well as each other); Romans at arms, ready for Picts or Northmen; smugglers, fairies and a Jew who helped force the signing of the Magna Carta. Kipling's smooth, flowing language issues from Crossley impeccably, with a clearly delineated command of tone and local accent. This classic introduction to English history should furnish much magic for family sharing. S.B.S. (c) AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Kipling is not known as a fantasist, but this audiobook features Puck, one of Shakespeare's fairies--or "people of the hills," the author's own preferred term. Other characters include one of the old gods and a number of people magicked out of history for the amusement and education of a pair of English children. Narrator Peter Kenny's varied British accents are wonderful; a few, however, as authentic as they are, may strain some American ears. But the narration shifts easily between the stories and the poems in this collection. Some listeners may take offense at the anti-Semitic undertones in a poem and story near the end, but Kenny makes clear Kipling's ringing endorsement of (eventual) freedom for all Britons. D.M.H. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine