Tom's Midnight Garden

I first read this classic children's novel years ago, when I was perhaps eight. Despite having been written about forty years earlier, it caught my imagination in a way few books could manage, and I read it numerous times. Over Christmas, I had a random desire to read it again, for the first time in about twenty years. This is very definitely a children's book rather than one of those that work just as well for adults, but even now, I still found it a delightful quick read.The basic premise is that Tom is sent to stay with his aunt and uncle in the little flat while his brother is ill. The sense of being trapped and smothered is palpable, and the aunt who desperatly wants kids and the stuffy uncle who doesn't know what to do with them are both beautifully fleshed out. Before it was divided into flats, the building he's staying in was a huge house. The only remaining artifact from that time is an old-fashioned grandfather clock in the hallway, that always chimes the wrong time. One night, Tom hears it strike thirteen, and when he goes downstairs, seemingly finds himself in the house as it used to be - and most importantly, in its huge, magical garden, where he makes friends with a girl who used to live there.This was probably the first time-travel novel I read and it's now a genre I love. For me, the best thing about time travel narratives are when they get really mind-bending, and this delivered that to a surprising degree for a book written so long ago and aimed at such a young audience. Because time doesn't run in a linear fashion in the garden. Though his friend is usually the same sort of age as him (ie. about 8 to 10), occasionally she's a toddler, and sometimes, she's a teenager or young woman. And though he goes every night, months can have passed in the garden, usually forwards, but sometimes backwards. I'd be amazed if the author of the Time Traveller's Wife hadn't read and loved this as a child, as it's broadly the same concept, only with childhood friendship rather than adult love.It's the cleverness of the concept that really grabbed me, but it's also nice to see a male/female friendship, including a girl who loves to play with bows and arrows and climb trees. The garden is beautifully described and both the Victorian era and the (then contemporary) 1950s are brought to life.If you've got kids, I'd definitely push this in their direction. Don't be put off by the age or the slightly slow opening - this is brilliant. And if you're an adult looking for a quick, nostalgic read, this is still a great choice.

I remember my Mum reading this to us as children, it’s such a beautiful story with such a lovely twist! I have since read it to my stepchildren and my own children, and they love it too.Just magic!

A nostalgic read with a twist. Quite thought provoking in parts. Definitely worth a read if you like fantasy.

Vaguely remember from my childhood on tv. So enjoyed this wonderful mysterious book a must for children and child like adults

I first read this book as a child and have read it many times again since. It's still enjoyable in my 40s.

If you know and remember this book from your childhood as I do, you won’t need any encouragement to revisit its wonders.If you’ve never read this book before, I urge you to buy it. It’s got something about it which is extraordinary.

The three books I bought were all stories I had read to my class as a teacher for over thirty years. I bought these to take to my grandson for Christmas 2022 and he also enjoyed them

Once upon a time, I was watching Tipping Point and a question concerning the author of this book arose.It is a children's story, but one that will appeal to adults. I have no kids, so this volume is personal.I hadn't heard of Phillipa Pearce, but it had me intrigued. (It was written in 1958.)Now, my relationship with Tom is only a quarter of the way into the book, but notwithstanding, we are getting on well.It would form the basis for a film, as there are some creepy, ghostly moments, and (again) relationships that lend themselves to the sophisticated effects available today.As it stands; treat yourself, some books meant for children, are way more, entertaining, than some of the 'adult' dross churned out today and it's not embarrassing to enjoy what is supposed to be for the younger generation.

I read the book 60 years ago when it first was published and enjoyed it immensely, actually mesmerized by it. I have just re-read it now that I am a senior and I like it even more. It was so superbly written and was the first book (1957) I read featuring time travel and dream transfer. On top of this, the tenderness of the story is so touching. This is a must read for all.

本編にはない序文と生い立ちなどが写真入りで巻末にあり得した気分になります。原著でじっくりと味わうつもりです。おすすめ！

Tom's Midnight Garden won the Carnegie Medal in 1958 - wonder why it wasn't in any of the libraries I read through as a kid.It is a gentle story from another age, and highly reminiscent of C.S.Lewis's "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" but without the overt magic or covert allegory. Some reviews have given away a bit too much of the plot, even the ending, but I will content myself with the beginning.The story starts in much the same way as the Narnia saga, where the children get sent to stay in an old an mysterious house with a venerable professor, or Enid Blyton's Famous Five books, where the children go to stay with an absent-minded-professor type uncle (plus an aunt and a cousin). In this book, Tom is sent to lonely quarantine with his rather severe aunt.Whereas Lucy found a wardrobe that provided her entry to Narnia, it is here a clock striking thirteen that opens the door to the secret garden.Whereas Lucy and her siblings meet a whole cast of weird and wonderful and not-so-wonderful characters, Tom's attention is quickly drawn to a young girl who seems to be the only person that can see him there. Lots of time can pass between his nightly visits, so what is a summer for him is considerably longer for her, though still slow enough that Tom doesn't really notice their diverging ages.For adults, this book will be a trip down memory lane reminiscent of the children's books of their youth.For children, this book will be an excellent introduction to a kind of literature very different from hero's journey type fantasy, not least in that there is no evil emperor/overlord/villain/power to overcome.

I loved this book and I love English gardens! It reminded me a little of "The secret garden" (which is one of my favourite books) for the atmosphere and the playfulness of the children.

Deeply moving. I read this book as a child but returning to it forty years later and better understanding the passing of timeit was both a joyous and strangely poignant read. Beautiful on on every level and much deserving of its place on the top classic list of all time.