Puck of Pook’s Hill

By: Rudyard Kipling

Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon

Length: 5 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

On Midsummer’s Eve, Dan and Una enact A Midsummer Night’s Dream three times over - right under Pook’s Hill. That is how they meet Puck, “the oldest Old Thing in England” and the last of the People of the Hills. Through Puck, they are introduced to the nearly forgotten pages of old England’s history and to characters that can illuminate their own historical predicaments.

The god Weland is freed from an unwanted heathen immortality by a novice monk, Hugh, who goes on to become a warrior and leader. The centurion, Parnesius, shows an insight that is absent from the higher echelons of the declining Roman Empire in cooperating with the Picts.

Originally published in 1906, these 10 stories and accompanying poems were intended for both adults and children.

Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) was born of English parents in Bombay, India. At 17, he began work as a journalist and then established an international reputation with his stories and verses of Indian and army life. In 1907 he became the first English writer to receive the Nobel Prize.

Public Domain (P)1993 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“The hidden history of old England, lovingly written by Kipling for his own children, is coupled with a brilliant reading to make this one of the premier family listening events of the year. The story has everything listeners could want: enchantment, high adventure, battles, intrigue, all wrapped up in romantic poetic language…brought exquisitely to life by [Nadia May].” ( AudioFile)

“[Wanda McCaddon]…has the requisite British accent and very good judgment as to how to make the tales exciting yet believable.” ( Wilson Library Bulletin)