The Secret of Platform 13
by Eva Ibbotson
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Odge Gribble, a young hag, accompanies an old wizard, a gentle fey, and a giant ogre on their mission through a magical tunnel from their Island to London to rescue their King and Queen's son who had been stolen as an infant.Tags
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The Secret of Platform 13 is my first Eva Ibbotson book, but it won't be my last. Every nine years, England's gump (or passageway) to magical Avalon, the Island, opens for nine days — and nine days only. During one such Opening, the Island's baby prince is kidnapped by the most unlikely person imaginable, a rich and selfish woman who then learns she is expecting a baby herself. Nine years later when a rescue mission can finally be mounted, the rescuers’ best-laid plans go awry when the prince turns out to be a spoiled and nasty boy who doesn’t want to be rescued.
Elements of this story will be very familiar to fans of J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter... two worlds coexisting in the heart of England, one ordinary, one magical and show more secret. A young boy unaware of his connections to the magical world, treated as a servant in a house where he is unwelcome (right down to the cupboard bedroom). Or the foolish mother who, with her spoiled, overweight son, goes into hiding once the emissaries of the magical world disrupt their predictable lives. An ordinary-world train station platform that serves as a portal to the magical place beyond. The thing is, Ibbotson was there first; The Secret of Platform 13 was published in 1994, three years before the first HP book appeared. Hmm.
Ibbotson's prose is more whimsical and artistic than Rowling's, which I've never been able to praise as more than serviceable. Her style is occasionally reminiscent of C. S. Lewis's familiar voice, adding just the inconsequential details and touch of humor that make the story come alive. The descriptions of the nastier fairy-tale characters (harpies and brollachans and such) reminded me forcibly of Caspian's shock at discovering such creatures still existed in Narnia. And there were many other nods of a Narnian character. I felt right at home.
It's too bad that this fun little tale cannot be read without comparisons to its more famous Potter relative. I use Lewis’s criteria for good children’s books — that the best ones can be enjoyed by adults as well — and The Secret of Platform 13 is certainly of that company. show less
Elements of this story will be very familiar to fans of J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter... two worlds coexisting in the heart of England, one ordinary, one magical and show more secret. A young boy unaware of his connections to the magical world, treated as a servant in a house where he is unwelcome (right down to the cupboard bedroom). Or the foolish mother who, with her spoiled, overweight son, goes into hiding once the emissaries of the magical world disrupt their predictable lives. An ordinary-world train station platform that serves as a portal to the magical place beyond. The thing is, Ibbotson was there first; The Secret of Platform 13 was published in 1994, three years before the first HP book appeared. Hmm.
Ibbotson's prose is more whimsical and artistic than Rowling's, which I've never been able to praise as more than serviceable. Her style is occasionally reminiscent of C. S. Lewis's familiar voice, adding just the inconsequential details and touch of humor that make the story come alive. The descriptions of the nastier fairy-tale characters (harpies and brollachans and such) reminded me forcibly of Caspian's shock at discovering such creatures still existed in Narnia. And there were many other nods of a Narnian character. I felt right at home.
It's too bad that this fun little tale cannot be read without comparisons to its more famous Potter relative. I use Lewis’s criteria for good children’s books — that the best ones can be enjoyed by adults as well — and The Secret of Platform 13 is certainly of that company. show less
While the review indicates this is a 2019 read, I have read it every year since.
I read this often to my younger brother when we were both little kids, and he had some trouble reading, when it first came out. We loved this book. I checked it out again today and hoped I'd still find it wonderful, and I do. I had lots of happy memories of reading it for the first time come back, and laughed at jokes I didn't get as a kid. I still want to be Odge, but also now I would like to be Gerkintrude. I still want to see a seashell-shaped bathtub with violet- and rose-scented crystals in small dishes. I want to see the magic show! Oh, that was my favorite part of the book this time around. What wonder. What splendor. I was entranced, just imagining show more it, and Raymond's reactions often ruined everything. I didn't cry at the sad parts, though, this time. However, the scary parts were a lot scarier. The mistmaker was still wonderful. I laughed at some of the things the adults did, thinking I'd do the same. I was glad at how much I'd remembered, and how much the book still holds up for me as an adult. I plan to reread it every year. show less
I read this often to my younger brother when we were both little kids, and he had some trouble reading, when it first came out. We loved this book. I checked it out again today and hoped I'd still find it wonderful, and I do. I had lots of happy memories of reading it for the first time come back, and laughed at jokes I didn't get as a kid. I still want to be Odge, but also now I would like to be Gerkintrude. I still want to see a seashell-shaped bathtub with violet- and rose-scented crystals in small dishes. I want to see the magic show! Oh, that was my favorite part of the book this time around. What wonder. What splendor. I was entranced, just imagining show more it, and Raymond's reactions often ruined everything. I didn't cry at the sad parts, though, this time. However, the scary parts were a lot scarier. The mistmaker was still wonderful. I laughed at some of the things the adults did, thinking I'd do the same. I was glad at how much I'd remembered, and how much the book still holds up for me as an adult. I plan to reread it every year. show less
Every nine years for nine days a secret doorway opens allowing humans entry to a magical island where humans, ogres, giants, and elves live together in harmony. Nine years ago, just before the portal closed, the island’s young prince was stolen. Anxiously, the queen and king have waited for the doorway to reopen. Now, as the ninth year approaches, the royals prepare a ragtag group of rescuers to find the prince and return him to the island. Together, a wizard, an ogre, a fey, and a young hag befriend a kindly kitchen boy names Ben (of unknown parentage…hmmm) as they attempt to lure the rich and insufferable prince (are we sure that’s the prince?) back to the island.
What I liked: the first few chapters feel a lot like the first show more Harry Potter book, although written years before (maybe J.K. Rowling got her inspiration here). The characters are so much fun and eccentric, and the island itself made me want to try and find it. It’s a fun, fast-paced story with a charming, feel-good energy.
What I didn’t like: not a whole lot to not like. My one critique would be that there was no real villain. Mrs. Trottle and her obnoxious son are terrible people, to be sure. But, there was no real sense of danger. But, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It was a bit predictable, but again, not a bad thing. Overall, super cute.
4.5 out of 5 stars show less
What I liked: the first few chapters feel a lot like the first show more Harry Potter book, although written years before (maybe J.K. Rowling got her inspiration here). The characters are so much fun and eccentric, and the island itself made me want to try and find it. It’s a fun, fast-paced story with a charming, feel-good energy.
What I didn’t like: not a whole lot to not like. My one critique would be that there was no real villain. Mrs. Trottle and her obnoxious son are terrible people, to be sure. But, there was no real sense of danger. But, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It was a bit predictable, but again, not a bad thing. Overall, super cute.
4.5 out of 5 stars show less
So charming. We know of the identity of the Prince the moment we meet him, but never grow impatient for that moment of the big reveal, because we are willingly distracted by Ibbotson's descriptions of one magical being after the other, and start to enjoy the company of the band of unlikely Rescuers. I've seen this compared to Harry Potter, but it's not strong enough a likeness, and many fantasy books have magical portals and hidden islands. If there weren't HP I'd say this was similar to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (plain but humble and kind child vs. brats, who learns he is the heir to a wonderful kingdom), but still, not close enough. This is its own book, and though it shares many elements with others in the same genre, it's a show more special blend that can proudly stand alone. show less
Saw browsing at the Carle book shop
Every nine years, for nine days, the portal between the world as we know it and the Island opens. The last time it opened, the three-month-old prince was stolen; now, nine years later, the King and Queen assemble a curious rescue team to get him back. An old wizard, a fey, a one-eyed ogre, and a young hag pass through at King's Cross station, and with the help of some friendly ghosts, find the kidnapped prince at the Trottles' home. But there are TWO boys in the household: one kind and diligent, one completely spoiled (see also: Harry Potter and Dudley Dursley). As the nine days rush by with little progress - the rescue team wants to convince the prince to come willingly, not bop him on the head and show more drop him in a sack - suspense ratchets up. Delightful, enchanting, how am I only discovering it now?? show less
Every nine years, for nine days, the portal between the world as we know it and the Island opens. The last time it opened, the three-month-old prince was stolen; now, nine years later, the King and Queen assemble a curious rescue team to get him back. An old wizard, a fey, a one-eyed ogre, and a young hag pass through at King's Cross station, and with the help of some friendly ghosts, find the kidnapped prince at the Trottles' home. But there are TWO boys in the household: one kind and diligent, one completely spoiled (see also: Harry Potter and Dudley Dursley). As the nine days rush by with little progress - the rescue team wants to convince the prince to come willingly, not bop him on the head and show more drop him in a sack - suspense ratchets up. Delightful, enchanting, how am I only discovering it now?? show less
Eva Ibbotson is a children's writer based in Britain, whose work reminds me a bit of Diana Wynne Jones. The Secret of Platform 13 (for ages 9-12) could just as easily be considered the basis for some of J.K. Rowling's stories, including the hidden train station platform that opens to take one into another world, a world full of magic and magical creatures. In this case, the otherworld is the Island, and the entrance to it (called the gump) only appears once every 9 years and is only open for 9 days, but during that time people from our world can cross over to the Island and vice versa. When the human triplet nurses of the 3-month-old Prince of the Island become nostalgic for their old world, they decide to go through the gump for a show more brief visit; being very responsible, they take the Prince with them rather than leaving him behind with strangers. Unfortunately, they come across the dreadful, and horribly rich, Mrs. Trottle, who yearns for a child of her own and who sees nothing wrong with stealing one for herself when the opportunity arises. Alas, the gump closes before he can be rescued, and the Island's people must wait 9 long years for the chance to get him back. When that time comes, an ancient wizard, a kindly giant made invisible, an earth-goddess fey and a young and not-yet-fearsome hag are sent through the gump to find him. Only when they do, they learn that he has become as horrid and appalling as his purported mother, and he doesn't have any interest in going home....Loads of fun, I read it in about 2 hours, and although it was immediately obvious what was really going on, that knowledge didn't detract from wanting to find out how the author resolved the tale. Recommended! show less
The reader may find the magical entrance on platform 13 in one of London’s busiest train stations to be an echo of the entrance to Hogwart’s, but that is where the similarity will end. This fun little book introduces the author to an original and fascinating magical kingdom with mermaids, ogres, mist makers, harpies, and wizards.
There are short periods of time every eight years where people from our kingdom can enter their kingdom and vice versa. The story begins when three reckless nannies inadvertently lose the infant prince in our world. Eight years later, a ragtag band of rescuers are sent to London to retrieve the now eight-year-old child. But nothing is as expected.
Eva Ibbotson does a wonderful job of endearing the characters show more to the reader. Even though it becomes fairly apparent that the twist in the story has twisted predictably again, the reader will not want to abandon the book. We must find out how things with finish.
This is the kind of book that a parent will enjoy sharing or a middle grade reader will enjoy on their own. A story of acceptance, love and courage with a happy ending. show less
There are short periods of time every eight years where people from our kingdom can enter their kingdom and vice versa. The story begins when three reckless nannies inadvertently lose the infant prince in our world. Eight years later, a ragtag band of rescuers are sent to London to retrieve the now eight-year-old child. But nothing is as expected.
Eva Ibbotson does a wonderful job of endearing the characters show more to the reader. Even though it becomes fairly apparent that the twist in the story has twisted predictably again, the reader will not want to abandon the book. We must find out how things with finish.
This is the kind of book that a parent will enjoy sharing or a middle grade reader will enjoy on their own. A story of acceptance, love and courage with a happy ending. show less
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Author Information
39+ Works 22,401 Members
Eva Ibbotson was born in Vienna, Austria, on January 21, 1925. She graduated from Bedford College, London with a degree in physiology in 1945 and the University of Durham with a degree in education in 1965. Her first book, The Great Ghost Rescue, was published in 1975. She primarily wrote children's book and romance novels for adults and young show more adults. Her other works include The Secret of Platform 13, The Star of Kazan, Which Witch?, Island of the Aunts, Dial-a-Ghost, The Ogre of Oglefort, A Company of Swans, and A Song For Summer. She won the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize for Journey to the River Sea. She died on October 20, 2010 at the age of 85. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Gl'istrici [Salani] (129)
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Secret of Platform 13
- Original title
- The Secret of Platform 13
- Original publication date
- 1994
- People/Characters
- Raymond Trottle; Ben
- Important places
- London, England, UK; The Island
- Dedication
- For Laurie and for David
- First words
- If you went into a school nowadays and said to the children: 'What is a gump?' you would probably get some very silly answers.
- Quotations
- But it was the other bodyguard that was the most feared and famous one in London. Doreen Trout was Bruce's sister, but she couldn't have been more different. She was small and mousy with a bun of grey hair and weak blue eye... (show all)s behind round spectacles. Doreen wore lumpy tweed skirts and thick stockings - and more than anything, she loved to knit. She knitted all day long: purple cardigans and pink bootees and heather mixture ankle socks... Clackety-click, clackety-clack, went Doreen's needles from morning to night - and they were sharp, those needles. Incredibly sharp.
There are certain places in the human body which are not covered by bones and someone who knows exactly where these soft places are does not need to bother with a gun. A really sharp needle is much less messy and scarcely leaves a mark.
Bruce was costing Mrs Trottle a hundred pounds a day, but for Soft Parts Doreen, as they called her, she had to pay double that.
p. 118 - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Then she gave Ben her hand, and together they walked along the shore towards the welcoming roofs of the palace.
- Blurbers
- Pullman, Philip
- Original language*
- Englisch
- Canonical LCC
- PZ7.I11555 S
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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