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casj94's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 ⭐️
This was one of my favourite books as a child so I wanted to revisit it as an adult. Unfortunately not as magical as I remember it but my memories of this story may have come from the tv series adaptation. Still a lovely story for a younger reader.
This was one of my favourite books as a child so I wanted to revisit it as an adult. Unfortunately not as magical as I remember it but my memories of this story may have come from the tv series adaptation. Still a lovely story for a younger reader.
hollietoftx's review against another edition
5.0
Read this with my dad when I was little. So many memories, so much nostalgia.
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Modern 'cave man' classic that won't fail to intrigue.
I remember my class teacher reading this out loud when I was in primary school, it's the kind of story that stays with you, if not in the detail. Now seemed a good time to share it with my 9-year-old, with lockdown and a recent topic of the Stone Age in class.
It was lovely to relive the plot. And my son didn't have a problem following the story, the language wasn't so very different to any contemporary book. Barney is an 'everyboy', a bit of a loner, who discovers, when staying at his Grandma's, that the nearby chalk pit hides a surprising secret. A hidden den, a strange boy.... wearing rabbit fur, speaking his own language of grunts. A cave boy?
Calling him Stig, Barney befriends this unusual individual, and the two share a series of adventures. Some more domestic (home improvements, bullies/gangs), and some rather daring and exciting (a real escaped leopard! thieves!).
We can never be truly sure if Stig is in Barney's imagination, his sister and Grandmother don't seem to believe him. It's fascinating to both watch how Stig lives and makes his own world, and how he and Barney interact and communicate.
Barney's is a world not so different from that of a 21st century child. He is allowed a lot of freedom to play, but he has imagination, he wants to make friends, there are other gangs of children to avoid/best. Stig is an enigma, but the two quickly form an alliance of almost-communication and trust, of sharing, exchange and solidarity.
I was surprised at how readable it was for contemporary young audiences. My son was just as fascinated by the idea of who Stig was as I remember being. And the final chapters, with their eerie otherworldliness and inexplicable time setting added to the mystery.
One for imagination building, for children interested in cavemen/Stone Age topics, for gentle exposure to slightly older texts with an engaging central pairing and quite an exciting/varied plot.
For ages 7-11.
I remember my class teacher reading this out loud when I was in primary school, it's the kind of story that stays with you, if not in the detail. Now seemed a good time to share it with my 9-year-old, with lockdown and a recent topic of the Stone Age in class.
It was lovely to relive the plot. And my son didn't have a problem following the story, the language wasn't so very different to any contemporary book. Barney is an 'everyboy', a bit of a loner, who discovers, when staying at his Grandma's, that the nearby chalk pit hides a surprising secret. A hidden den, a strange boy.... wearing rabbit fur, speaking his own language of grunts. A cave boy?
Calling him Stig, Barney befriends this unusual individual, and the two share a series of adventures. Some more domestic (home improvements, bullies/gangs), and some rather daring and exciting (a real escaped leopard! thieves!).
We can never be truly sure if Stig is in Barney's imagination, his sister and Grandmother don't seem to believe him. It's fascinating to both watch how Stig lives and makes his own world, and how he and Barney interact and communicate.
Barney's is a world not so different from that of a 21st century child. He is allowed a lot of freedom to play, but he has imagination, he wants to make friends, there are other gangs of children to avoid/best. Stig is an enigma, but the two quickly form an alliance of almost-communication and trust, of sharing, exchange and solidarity.
I was surprised at how readable it was for contemporary young audiences. My son was just as fascinated by the idea of who Stig was as I remember being. And the final chapters, with their eerie otherworldliness and inexplicable time setting added to the mystery.
One for imagination building, for children interested in cavemen/Stone Age topics, for gentle exposure to slightly older texts with an engaging central pairing and quite an exciting/varied plot.
For ages 7-11.
esther_reads01's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
This was a lovely story about friendship, family, and dreams. It's definitely ideal for a pallet cleanser book.
I loved the characters, and as the story went along, I could imagine it playing out as a film. The illustrations also helped with the flow of the story.
I loved the characters, and as the story went along, I could imagine it playing out as a film. The illustrations also helped with the flow of the story.
dottienic123's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
evanfairfull's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
4.75
jamesdanielhorn's review against another edition
5.0
How had I never even heard of this absolute classic until this year!? Guess this was more popular in UK? I would have been obsessed with this ad a kid. Either way read this right away, better late than never.
tabbypodger's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
thewintersings's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
library_rain's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5