Skallagrigg

by William Horwood

Book Overview

Unites Arthur, a little boy abandoned many years ago in a grim hospital in northern England, with Esther, a radiantly intelligent young girl who is suffering from cerebral palsy, and with Daniel, an... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140072063
• ISBN13: 9780140072068
• Release Date: January 1988
• Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
• Length: 736 Pages
• Weight: 0.84 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.3" x 1.3" x 4.5"

Customer Reviews

One of the greatest books ever written

I first read "Skallagrigg" in 1988 and believe that it is the finest novel by an author I consider to be the greatest english writer of the latter part of the twentieth century.It is the ultimate "quest" novel: not only does it tell the immensely moving story of Esther's inspired search for the abandoned Arthur, but at a deeper psychological and spiritual level it also challenges us to search for the meaning and identity of the Skallgrigg for ourselves. Although it moved me to tears, its celebration of the redemptive power of love was matched by an unflinching recognition of the appalling way we have until very recently in this country (and sadly still elsewhere) treated those who suffer from disabilities like Esther's and Arthur's.A treatment so vividly expressed in the evil and everlooming presence of the character, Dilke. I have given almost 50 copies of this wonderful book to friends and only two have failed to contact me to convey their joy at reading it.The film which was made of it could not sadly begin to penetrate the depths to which Horwood's imagination compels us.

Skallagrigg

I was living in a foreign country when the discovered the book "Skallagrigg", written by William Horwood. On the average I read a book a week, and I am 65 years old. To this day Skallagrigg is the best book I have ever read. Maybe in time Horwood will receive the honor due his writing. The book is difficult/up-setting/sad at time, but worth every tear! Before the internet I had a difficult finding and ordering his books. Thank you internet.

Easily makes my top five

I have always been a prolific reader and sometimes have as many as five books on the go at any one time, picking up the one which most suits my mood. This book is absolutely brilliant and so beautifully touches the emotions of the reader. It made me laugh and it made me cry. I cried often and long and deep. It is clear that William Horwood has been close to cerebal palsy and I found out, after I had read Skallagrigg, that his daughter, Rachel, does suffer from this condition. The central figures are Arthur, a sufferer from the early part of the twentieth century, and Esther, a sufferer from the latter part of the same century. It explores the massive differences between the ways that they were perceived and the ways that they were treated because of those perceptions. Esther embarks on a quest to find Skallagrigg, without knowing what it is, and you must read the book to find out if she succeeds and what it means. The reader is drawn into the characters and I found myself living the rollercoaster emotional existance of both of them. I am constantly recommending this book to friends and family. Many of them find it difficult to get into the story but I encourage them to persevere. Whilst I can understand their difficulty, I had no trouble whatsoever and was captured from the first paragraph. If you are only ever going to read one more book in your life, it would have to be this one and no other. Trust me!