Tom's Midnight Garden
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Tom's Midnight Garden is the 1958 children's novel by Philippa Pearce. It is generally regarded as a masterpiece of English children's literature, and won the prestigious Carnegie Medal in 1958, the year of its publication. It was dramatized by the BBC three times, in 1968, 1974, and 1988 (which aired in 1989). It was released as a full-length movie in 1999.
Contents
Plot summary
When Tom's brother Peter gets measles, Tom is sent to stay with his uncle and aunt in a flat with no garden. Because he may be infectious he is not allowed out to play. Without exercise he is less sleepy at night and hears the communal grandfather clock strangely strike 13 - he investigates and finds the back yard is now a large sunlit garden. Here he meets Hatty who is the only one who can see him. They have adventures which he eventually realises are taking place in the late 19th century. Eventually he has to return home, but just before he does he meets Hatty, now a very old lady, again.Allusions/references to actual history, geography and current science
The book is set within the grounds of a mansion in Great Shelford, Cambridge. The sundial and other such features of the story are still very much evident. Philippa Pearce lived opposite this house when writing the novel.Awards and nominations
The Novel won the prestigious Carnegie Medal in 1958.Film, TV or theatrical adaptations
It was dramatized by the BBC three times, in 1968, 1974, and 1988 (which aired in 1989). It was released as a full-length movie in 1999.Release details
- 1958, UK, Uxford University Press (ISBN 0192711288), Pub date 31 December 1958, hardback (First edition)
- 1992, UK, HarperCollins (ISBN 0397304773), Pub date ? February 1992, hardback
External links
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