The Great Harlequin Grim

Nov 14, 2024 12:28 PM

Author:Gareth Thompson

Glenn Jackson is thirteen and has moved with his father from Burnley to Torbeck in the Lake District. His Mum has not come with them and Glenn's father is avoiding Glenn's questions. From the moment Glenn meets Laura, quiet and overshadowed by her vindictive adoptive sister, he is bewitched.

Harlequin is a seven-foot eighteen-year-old living rough in an abandoned shack, disguising himself behind clown's make-up and an old felt hat and hiding in terror whenever the fighter jets have practice runs over Torbeck. When Harlequin rescues Glenn from falling into the old slate mine the two form an unusual friendship and Glenn comes closer to discovering the secret that Harlequin is running away from.

Reviews

The crazily inventive, brilliantly funny return of Darcy Burdock. Jacqueline Wilson fans will approve

—— Metro

Written with energetic, breathless, non-stop gusto

—— Financial Times

Funny, tender and soul-searching . . . Upbeat, warm-hearted and delightful

—— Lesley Agnew , The Bookseller

The latest heartwarming story about this likeable character has you once again so fully immersed in his thoughts and actions there are moments when you want to shout out to him to stop him making a mistake

—— D J Williams , Primary Times

The Darcy Burdock series is one of my absolute favourites for younger readers. It's clever, funny and so very charming. I laughed my way through Sorry About Me, revelling in Darcy's kookiness and her ability to see the world the way she does. Surely she's now a literary icon for the 9+ age range?! Darcy is a character to love, as is her whole crazy family. The Burdocks are just so enjoyable to read about, whether they're catching mice or having a shouty rant at a horrid pet shop owner. Whatever they do, they always do it with style, and that's what makes them memorable. Sorry About Me is another genius addition to the Darcy Burdock series and I can't wait for more. I say that at the end of every book, but it's true: they're *that* good!

—— Wondrous Reads

Anthony Browne is a sublime master of the visual pun

—— Independent on Sunday

The Magritte of the pre-schoolers, Browne's illustrations are among the most distinctive and surreal of any children's artist. A beautiful tribute to a very special dad in a dressing gown

—— The Scotsman

A celebration of all things "dad" from the quirky to the moving

—— Aberdeen Evening Express

It's humorous and charming. Dads and kids alike will love it

—— Woman’s Own

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