I can remember the first time I read a book and enjoyed the experience.
I don't mean just enjoyed, I mean the first time the real world faded
away and I was transported to a new and exciting experience. When
I truly lived the story as I was reading it. The book was titled 'The
Gauntlet'. I was about eleven years old at the time and it was a
Christmas present. There was never enough money for extras like books
at any other time of the year.
The story was set in Wales and the main character was a boy who was
visiting his Aunt. Nearby there is a ruined castle. One day the boy
and a group of his friends meet to go to the old ruins for a look around.
While walking up the road that leads to the castle, the boy is knocked
over and into a ditch. While he is laying there he starts to hear
strange voices calling out and when he stands up he finds himself
transported back in to
the past. As the tale unfolds, he discovers that he is now the King's
son and so starts the marvelous story of how he copes, living in
Medieval times with a modern mind and expectations.
I can remember clearly the pleasure I got from this story. How, when I
picked up this book to read it, I was transported back to those Medieval
times. It was pure escapism and it was then that I first learned what
joy there was in reading. This joy has stayed with me till this day.
'The Gauntlet' led me on to reading another book 'Tom's Midnight Garden'.
Which also came to life in my mind. My children have also enjoyed
reading that book.
I don't remember the details of how I received this Christmas Gift and
so was introduced to one of the greatest pleasures of my life, but I don't
think it was pure chance that my parents picked this story that fascinated
me so much. I owe them a big Thankyou. Their gift was more than just a
book for Christmas. What they really gave me was a life long gift.
One that I am still getting benefit and pleasure from to this day.
Jeanette Barrow
