LoveReading4Kids Says
A powerful work of imagination, The Map of Marvels explores the terror of what happens when the imaginary world begins to become real and when fiction invades life. Connor is inspired to create a map of an imaginary place when he comes across a dusty old map which falls from a book. But then things he didn’t draw begin to appear on the map. How do they appear? Soon Connor becomes confused about what is real and what is a story. Full of menace and wonder, this is an intriguing story full of surprise.
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The Map of Marvels Synopsis
When Connor starts creating a map of an imaginary world for his school project he has no idea where it will lead. As he draws the outlines of the islands and the mountains, the map begins to take shape. And then there's the tower-ominous and threatening - but so necessary that without it the map would not be complete. Perhaps without the tower, the map might not even exist. But the map does exist, and so does the tower. As Connor enters the world he's created he meets others there who all have their own tale to tell. Together they travel between many worlds, on many adventures and through many stories. On their journey they encounter places and creatures beyond Connor's imagination. But he has imagined them, hasn't he? Surely this world can't be real, because if it is, his life at home must just be another story ...
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9780192729675 |
| Publication date: |
5th August 2010 |
| Author: |
David Calcutt |
| Publisher: |
Oxford University Press |
| Format: |
Paperback |
| Suitable For: |
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About David Calcutt
David Calcutt was born in Wednesbury, West Midlands, in 1950, and now lives in Walsall. He taught in schools for ten years, then was a Community Arts Director for three years. He is now a freelance playwright and storyteller. The main influences on his work are myth and folk-tale. "Those ancient myths have provided us with some of our greatest works of literature, art, music and theatre...."
Q & A on Shadow Bringer with David Calcutt
1. What inspired you to write Shadow Bringer?
A few years ago I saw on a very windy day I saw something black flapping in the sky. It didn’t look like a bird and for a moment or two I couldn’t work out what it was. Then I realised it was a plastic bin-liner. It gave me an idea for a story that eventually became “Shadow Bringer”.
2. Describe it in two lines?
It’s a supernatural, psychological thriller, in which a boy is haunted by a shadow creature.
3. How long did it take you to write?
The first draft took around four months.
4. What do you think people will say about this book?
They’ll probably say it’s nothing like his first book. I hope they’ll say they find it tense and gripping, and it made them afraid to switch the light off. Especially if they have an attic.
5. Are you working on something else at the moment?
A couple of things. There’s the beginning of a fantasy adventure story, and also a book I’m co-writing with another OUP author, Marie-Louise Jensen. It came about from a conversation we had when we met at a award ceremony in Dublin, and it’s really taken off. We’re both very excited about it. .
6. What is your favourite food?
I don’t really have a favourite food. I like lots of different kinds of food. I like to eat.
7. What makes you laugh out loud?
Anything absurd, surreal, or rude.
8. What is your one luxury item you would take with you on to a Desert Island?
Probably my guitar.
9. What is your most treasured memory?
I have lots, and I keep on acquiring them. Memories should grow with you and not remain in the past.
10. What is your weakness?
Gazing into the distance when I should be working
11. What is the worst/most unusual job you have ever done?
Being a street-entertainer was probably the worst. It was cold and it rained. I went home.
12. What is your most embarrassing moment?
There are quite a few – all too embarrassing to talk about.
13. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
I had a dream in which I was being chased by a tiger. The tiger caught me and said if I hadn’t run away it wouldn’t have chased me.
14. What is the best piece of advice you could give to someone?
If you see a tiger on the street, run.
15. Last album brought? First album ever brought?
The first that I bought myself was, I think, “The Times They Are A-Changin’” by Bob Dylan. The most recent is “Elegy of the Uprooting” by the Greek composer Eleni Karaindrou. The Greeks call her the tenth muse. She is.
16. What are you reading at the moment?
“Njal’s Saga” by an anonymous and brilliant Icelandic writer, and “Light in August” by William Faulkner. Also Ted Hughes’ poetry - but then I’m always reading this.
17. What would be on the soundtrack of your film – and who would play you?
The music from “The Third Man”. Orson Welles. In fact I’d rather be in that film.
18. Favourite holiday destination?
The Greek island of Lesvos
19. Which authors have most inspired you?
Shakespeare, Ted Hughes, Dylan Thomas, William Golding, Nikos Kazantzakis, George Seferis, Herman Melville, William Faulkner, Flannery O’ Connor, Jorge Luis Borges, John Steinbeck, James Joyce.
20. What is your favourite children’s book?
“Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson
21. Most treasured possession?
My bike, and whatever notebook I happen to be writing in.
22. Where are you happiest?
I’m pretty happy in most places.
23. Favourite biscuit?
Chocolate digestives.
24. Pet hates?
Too many to list. Stupidity’s probably at the top.
25. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
I’d be less quick to judge, and work harder
More About David Calcutt
