The Magic of Grandfather Time
The Magic of Grandfather Time
by Rose English
5 out of 5Synopsis
‘A grandfather clock has a face and a voice. As its name suggests, it is more than a piece of furniture; it is a member of the family’
Richard C.R. Barder 1983
DECEMBER 1880. There will be no jolly Christmas cheer this year. The harsh winter had descended; snow blankets the ground and the lake is frozen solid. Within the walls of Clement Cottage, the fire is dwindling, its embers barely bright enough to cast the shadow of the broken man upon the wall. Cole is lost in his deep sadness; he has just one heartfelt wish. To be re-united with his beloved, the soulmate so cruelly stolen from him – Cornelia.
A sad mournful ticking comes from a blackened corner of the parlour where a longcase clock is hidden. Tall and stately, noble of face, loud of voice and keeper of great secrets, he is Grandfather Time. Bestowed with the gift of magic from Old Father Time himself, as he begins to chime out the magical hour of midnight, can he grant Cole his wish?
The book includes an Introduction to Grandfather Time Himself.
Review
Family, clocks, and a little bit of magic combine in a charming edition.
This was a lovely winter read, inspired by a curious grandfather clock. It is a collection of a poem by Henry Clay Work; a couple of short stories by Rose English; plus a few brief articles into the actual history, facts and the writer's own thoughts.
They can be read individually, or go together as one well-rounded presentation.
I read this in my dinner hour, quite easily. It's a nice, short glimpse into other times and traditions. And though may things have changed over the centuries, there is still the strength of family connection.
The first story drops in on Cole, New Year's Eve 1880, as the young man grieves on the anniversary of his wife's death.
The second story drops back to another New Year's Eve in 1699, as a clockmaker awaits the birth of his long-awaited son.
I don't want to say anything more, because it would surely just spoil the story-telling, which felt warm and familiar, as though you were sure you'd heard it before.
Goodreads link
Amazon.co.uk
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