Gideon the Cutpurse

By: Linda Buckley-Archer

Narrated by: Gerard Doyle

Length: 11 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

The year is 1763. Gideon Seymour, cutpurse and gentleman, hides in dense underbrush from the villainous Tar Man. Suddenly the sky peels away like fabric and from the gaping hole fall two curious-looking children. Peter Schock and Kate Dyer have fallen straight from the 21st century, thanks to an experiment Kate's father was running with an antigravity machine. Before Gideon and the children have a chance to gather their wits, the Tar Man has taken off with the machine and Kate and Peter's only chance of getting home. Soon Gideon, Kate, and Peter are swept into a journey through 18th century London, over the routes of notorious highwaymen, and even into King George's palace and form a bond that, they hope, will stand strong in the face of unfathomable treachery.

Historical detail comes alive as debut author Linda Buckley-Archer weaves the 18th century trials of Gideon, Kate, and Peter with the modern-day worries of their parents and the wily investigator trying to piece together the children's disappearance. A time-travel tale in the tradition of Mark Twain with a touch of Back to the Future, the first audiobook of the Gideon trilogy introduces listeners to a modern genre all its own.

©2006 Linda Buckley-Archer. All rights reserved (P)2006 Simon & Schuster Inc. All rights reserved.

lived it

great story for readers of all ages. This would be a fun book even for my 12 year old. teenagers in adult readers will also be fascinated. The characters are very well-developed and endearing. Great imagery and lovely language. the performer for the audio book was fantastic. Excellent voices. Generated a great experience.

Exciting Time Travel

The description of historical England was masterful. I had a little trouble believing how quickly the children were accepted given how class conscious the English were. However it was a great story.

Engaging Young Adult Fantasy Sci-Fi

Would you consider the audio edition of Gideon the Cutpurse to be better than the print version?

I'm certainly not a young adult but I really enjoyed this story. Combining physics and cosmology (explaining things like dark matter) made the book very engaging. Characters were well developed and I loved the narrator.

What other book might you compare Gideon the Cutpurse to and why?

The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel come to mind. That series was incredible!
I'm expecting that a follow up book to Gideon and the Cutpurse is in the works as the story ended quite abruptly.

Which character – as performed by Gerard Doyle – was your favorite?

I loved the children.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The unseen world of past and future.

Any additional comments?

There seemed to be an underlying theme of good vs evil in the book and on some level the invitation for goodness. It wasn't preaching but the consequences of not living a good life were conveyed through Gideon.

Review from a 73 year-old

I truly enjoyed this book. For 39 years I was a college English professor, but I never had the opportunity to teach children's or young adults' literature. If I had, I would have included this fine novel with its finely-drawn characters and it's terrific story. I have just ordered it for my 11 year old grandnephew who loves reading. He will not be disappointed.

fun story great narration

charming story and awesome narration. i would buy a book just to hear him.

Delightful

I hadn't realized it's a trilogy, but I'm just as glad it is. A book of adventure, well written, without excess violence but with plenty of plot and like able characters. Gerald Doyle is "spot on".

Excellent book

This is an excellent book. Well developed characters and excellent narration as usual from from Gerard Doyle. I can't wait for the next book.

Young and Idealistic

Here is one thing that is missing in the description:

It's junior fiction.

That being said, it is very well read and a very enjoyable book as it keeps a fun pace. Being 30 something myself I found myself cringing a couple of times at some of the scenes in this book that depict people as being open, honest and charitable (just like real life, huh?). Worth reading, pick it up if you feel like reading about a world with a couple honest people in it.

One of the best I've heard!

This is definitely one of the very best audio books I've heard. The narrator's voice is warm and engaging. He does a great job with the characters and accents. The plot is exceptional. I've read all three of these books, now, and this is definitely the best! The author does a great job connecting a modern audience to an 18th C England.

Great Fun

Very engaging. The characters were completely believable and the whole thing was a enjoyable escape from reality.