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The Boggart

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The Boggart

By: Susan Cooper
Narrated by: David Rintoul
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About this listen

 Centuries old and thousands of miles from home.

When Emily and Jess Volnik's family inherits a remote, crumbling Scottish castle, they also inherit the Boggart--an invisible, mischievous spirit who's been playing tricks on residents of Castle Keep for generations. Then the Boggart is trapped in a rolltop desk and inadvertently shipped to the Volniks' home in Toronto, where nothing will ever be the same--for the Volniks or the Boggart.

In a world that doesn't believe in magic, the Boggart's pranks wreak havoc. And even the newfound joys of peanut butter and pizza and fudge sauce eventually wear thin for the Boggart. He wants to go home--but his only hope lies in a risky and daring blend of modern technology and ancient magic. Fiction Ghosts Growing Up Growing Up & Facts of Life Humorous Fiction Literature & Fiction Scary Stories Science Fiction & Fantasy Scary Fantasy Comedy Mystery Magic
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I have a very personal attachment to this book. My Mum got it out of the library for me when I was small and it became a favorite. But in subsequent years I couldn't find it when I went looking. It's now more than 10 years since I listened to it last and I had forgotten about it until a Redditor posted a question asking about our White Whale audiobooks. I remembered The Boggart and, because audible exists now, it wasn't at all difficult to find. I'm so glad I did. It is entirely as good as I remembered if anything even better because I can appreciate more of the subtly and folklore behind it.

Synopsis
The Boggart is a spirit of mischief. A shape changer, who flits around playing tricks. He lives in Castle Keep with the MacDevon, a Castle in remote Scotland. But when MacDevon dies the Castle is inherited by the Volnik family. They travel from their home in Toronto to see the Castle but decide they cannot keep it. But the two children Emily and Jessup are allowed to choose a piece of furniture each to take home. Emily takes an old roll-top desk, but does not realize that the Boggart lies asleep and invisible inside. How will the Boggart react when he wakes up, not in the highlands of Scotland, but the bustling modern world of Canada?

This is a children's book, but a children's book that can be appreciated by all ages. The characters are not complicated and the plot is short and sweet, but there is so much personality and it is told so well it is hard not to smile.

I adore stories that work old legends into new stories (I may have been influenced by this book), and The Boggart is an excellent example of this. Susan Cooper knows her folklore and is an excellent storyteller.

Narration
Talking of Storytellers David Rintoul is superb. He uses accent and tone to highlight the juxtaposition between old myth and modern life. He also has a really easy voice to listen to.

Recommendation
If you like fairytales, myths, and legends, especially of the Celtic variety, then this is a gem.

Am I biased? Yes. Should you read it anyway? I think so.

Folklore in modern life

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Lovely story with a brilliant narration. Wonderfully nostalgic as I loved this book as a child and still adore it now.

Wonderful!

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loved this book. I never came across this as a child, so I can't claim nostalgia but anyway, really enjoyed the excellent reader and story. Engaging, charming and at times moving.

a delight

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This is early teenage fiction I suppose but in my nearly old age I loved it. We are transported into an unbelievable realm which becomes entirely believable. There is a sense of respect for myth and history and old traditions. The narrator is good (sensible have the default as the Scottish accent given the story) with just a few wobbles on other accents (eg Welsh) but overall a fine performance.

Delightful story and narration

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