carrotstikz21's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.25
luweebayy's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. Reminded me of E. Nesbitt’s five children stories or Enid Blyton-esque stories. I wasn’t too keen on the ending but it is a lovely story for children.
jammytots's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
grahamsoper's review against another edition
3.0
Stig Of The Dump - Clive King
This is one of the beautiful and memorable books from my childhood, which I still recall with much affection. It’s about a young eight-year-old boy called Barney who is a bit of an explorer and who is very curious about places near where he lives.
In spite of being warned not to go too close to a local chalk quarry, he does exactly that and falls into it. But that’s the start of a great new chapter in his young life as he discovers a cave in which lives a short hairy man. They start communicating with mostly just gestures and grunts and Barney decides to call his new friend Stig.
And so begins a series of adventures between the two new best friends. First, they raid the rubbish dump at the bottom of the quarry and take bits and pieces to improve Stig’s home, and later on, amongst other scrapes, they disturb a fox hunt and capture an escaped animal from a circus.
Within its story, this book introduces and addresses a wide range of social issues, including morality and ethics from the period, as well as friendship, bullying, stealing, telling right from wrong, recycling and language barriers.
It’s a truly delightful read and children of all ages will be able to learn about a whole list of simple inventions and equipment that could be fashioned from recycled materials, inspired by Stig's creations.
This is one of the beautiful and memorable books from my childhood, which I still recall with much affection. It’s about a young eight-year-old boy called Barney who is a bit of an explorer and who is very curious about places near where he lives.
In spite of being warned not to go too close to a local chalk quarry, he does exactly that and falls into it. But that’s the start of a great new chapter in his young life as he discovers a cave in which lives a short hairy man. They start communicating with mostly just gestures and grunts and Barney decides to call his new friend Stig.
And so begins a series of adventures between the two new best friends. First, they raid the rubbish dump at the bottom of the quarry and take bits and pieces to improve Stig’s home, and later on, amongst other scrapes, they disturb a fox hunt and capture an escaped animal from a circus.
Within its story, this book introduces and addresses a wide range of social issues, including morality and ethics from the period, as well as friendship, bullying, stealing, telling right from wrong, recycling and language barriers.
It’s a truly delightful read and children of all ages will be able to learn about a whole list of simple inventions and equipment that could be fashioned from recycled materials, inspired by Stig's creations.
rjmcewan's review against another edition
4.0
Fantastic read. Fifty years old, but not painfully dated. Lots of action and humor. Boys and I couldn't wait to read Barney's new adventure each night.
lily_23's review against another edition
adventurous
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
2.75
mat_tobin's review against another edition
5.0
Why oh why did it take me so long to a)be able to read and b)spend time with Stig and Barney? I really enjoyed this book from the outset and it was all due to Clive King's engaging writing style and voice. How effortlessly he captures Barney's childlike disposition alongside the beauty and rare magic of the North Downs (how can you not but love the scene when Barney and Lou cross paths with the stag).
Barney's adventures with his thought-to-be-imaginary friend, Stig are led by his inquisitiveness and wholly absorbing need to play: the idea of a child escaping to the local dump or wasteland alone now would cause many a raised eyebrow yet in my own youth the raised eyebrow would come to the child who did not do this.
Unphased by who Stig might be or where he came from, Barney wants to help and support his friend with adapting his home in the dump, hunting and enjoying his time playing and learning with and from him.
Stig's role in the story is a fascinating one. Barney does not rely on him at all times and it is interesting that he only visits his friend when he's over at his grandparents. It is only when Barney is bored, in danger and wanting to roleplay that he calls upon his friend. There is more to this, I think.
Although stone-sage Stig is a wonderful creation, the real draw for me was Barney. I found him completely endearing, innocent (trusting the robbers!), explorative, creative, funny and kind. He was a boy who could recall his grandfather's words of wisdom 'My Grandfather always says wood warms you twice, once when you cut it and once when you burn it.' and, when threatened and brought close to tears by the Snarget brothers, would look to his Granny for love and support: a sensitive boy who wonders and questions the world he inhabits. Who wouldn't want a Barney in their life?
Edward Ardizzone's illustrations bring not only Stig to life but Barney and his sister Lou too. I am aware that Stig of the Dump has been reprinted often and even adapted for television but, for me, the chemistry of Ardizzone and King is unbeatable and I won't bother looking anywhere else if I want to go off on an adventure with Barney again.
Barney's adventures with his thought-to-be-imaginary friend, Stig are led by his inquisitiveness and wholly absorbing need to play: the idea of a child escaping to the local dump or wasteland alone now would cause many a raised eyebrow yet in my own youth the raised eyebrow would come to the child who did not do this.
Unphased by who Stig might be or where he came from, Barney wants to help and support his friend with adapting his home in the dump, hunting and enjoying his time playing and learning with and from him.
Stig's role in the story is a fascinating one. Barney does not rely on him at all times and it is interesting that he only visits his friend when he's over at his grandparents. It is only when Barney is bored, in danger and wanting to roleplay that he calls upon his friend. There is more to this, I think.
Although stone-sage Stig is a wonderful creation, the real draw for me was Barney. I found him completely endearing, innocent (trusting the robbers!), explorative, creative, funny and kind. He was a boy who could recall his grandfather's words of wisdom 'My Grandfather always says wood warms you twice, once when you cut it and once when you burn it.' and, when threatened and brought close to tears by the Snarget brothers, would look to his Granny for love and support: a sensitive boy who wonders and questions the world he inhabits. Who wouldn't want a Barney in their life?
Edward Ardizzone's illustrations bring not only Stig to life but Barney and his sister Lou too. I am aware that Stig of the Dump has been reprinted often and even adapted for television but, for me, the chemistry of Ardizzone and King is unbeatable and I won't bother looking anywhere else if I want to go off on an adventure with Barney again.
gemmaduds's review against another edition
3.0
A true children’s modern classic and originally published in the 60s, Stig of the Dump is a children’s book of its time.
Featuring caveman Stig (who lives in a chalk pit), Barney, and his sister Lou - Stig of the Dump also features smoking, hunting, bullies and burglars...
Featuring caveman Stig (who lives in a chalk pit), Barney, and his sister Lou - Stig of the Dump also features smoking, hunting, bullies and burglars...
misskatz's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
ettegoom's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this, right up until the every last few pages... that was weird and didn't really fit with the rest of the story IMHO... but it was a sweet story otherwise.