The Hollow Land

One of my favorites, mixing the mystery of the past, the hope of a future, the conscious present in the story. To be intrigued sans obvious drama is a gift.

Loved this book — it is one of my favorites by Jane Gardam. Such exquisite and deft portraits of a little neighborhood where summer sojourners and the townsfolk come together despite their misunderstandings and in some cases because of their misunderstandings.

Jane Gardam makes awt she touches hers and lets it become ours as if by some alchemical process. You, the reader, start with the normal separation between the world where you sit with your book in your hand and end in whatever world she decides to transport you until, laying her book aside with a slight sigh of regret at finding yourself having to return to your own.

Jane Gardam’s The Hollow Land is a very unusual, utterly enjoyable portrayal of Britain’s Cumbrian countryside with its hills and dales and its people – many of them delightfully eccentric – who live there. The title comes from a poem by William Morris and refers to an area hollowed out by abandoned mines.The novel is finally a string of lighthearted short stories centering on two families -- one that has deep roots in this rural countryside, the other which leases a home from the first – that take place over more than twenty years.The Hollow Land is not, however, a children’s book, although it is listed as such among Jane Gardam’s many titles. Its language is heavily dialectal, particularly the names of geographical formations and farming terms. And the stories themselves, while some feature children, are aimed at adult readers. Most of the humor would be lost on children.

A beautifully voiced narrative about the interaction of two very different British families. Everyone means well, but, as is typical when cultures clash, things do not always go well. The lesson here is that when someone has the courage to stretch out a hand in peace, and someone else has the courage to acknowledge the gesture, even seemingly intractable rifts can be repaired.I agree with the reviewer who said that this is not really a book for children; most children will want more incentives for page-turning, and will not savor the skillful and lyrical use of language the way an older person might. It would be a wonderful book to read aloud to middle grade children and discuss chapter by chapter -- either in a school situation, or on a long, boring car ride.

She writes so well about the region, its people and countryside. The relationship of the Londoners to the locals is developed with such thoughtful care. Her use of dialect in conversation is well done and adds to the color of the scene and especially to the relationship of the two boys. Jane Gardam never disappoints!

A heartwarming depiction of friendship between youngsters from very different families, with different interests, backgrounds, and educations.As they grow and change, they continue to value what is essential in their friendship while recognizing their differences.

A lovely elegiac tale of more than twenty years in the lives of two families, set in England's Lake District, which itself can be described as the central 'character' in the book. Years ago this was listed as a children's book, and the cover gives that impression, but it is definitely a tale for adults, beautifully written.

Echoes of the farmers and miners and Romans who inhabited the hollow land, reach into the present. The generations roll on as Gardam steers our course with a gentle, steady hand.

Surprising, well written and very funny in places ! I enjoyed the children very much they kept me company late into the night..

... zwei Jungs und ihre Entwicklung, in interessanter Landschaft, mit ungewöhnlichen Personen, fein beobachtet wie immer bei Frau Gardam. Eigentlich nicht unbedingt ein Kinderbuch - lesen!