Absolutely Charming

The Amazing Mr Blunden by Antonia Barber is a delightful children’s historical novel with courage and trust at its heart. I have watched the charming Lionel Jeffries film many times over the years but never read the book before. The book is as charming as the film. Antonia Barber writes with warmth, inviting the reader into her world. We receive hints that all is not as it seems as the children in the tale face the possibility of encountering ghosts. “When the time comes… you will know what to do.”

The novel is about righting the wrongs of the past. Courage is needed to trust someone who has proved themselves untrustworthy in the past.

There are two wonderful sets of sibling bonds. They are kind, compassionate, caring and full of love to nurture and protect each other.

I really loved The Amazing Mr Blunden. I only wonder why I waited so many years to read it. It is absolutely charming. I now have the urge to watch the film again.

JULIA WILSON