Product Description

A facsmile of the first edition of this William book - the first of all the William books.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #408620 in Books
• Published on: 1990-03-23
• Format: Facsimile
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Review
'It all began with William's aunt, who was in a good temper that morning, and gave him a shilling for posting a letter for her and carrying her parcels from the grocer's.' Thus begins the first of about 35 books of stories featuring one of the great comic inventions in English, William Brown. Based loosely (one hopes!) on her nephew, the childless Richmal Crompton shows in William an understanding of the youthful male brain that is as perceptive as any child psychologist's. William never tells lies, he only dreams. He is probably the best equivocator in the world of literature, and the funniest. And his method of turning the language of adults into what he wants to hear is unerring. Live again, through William, those rare moments from childhood when you won... Review by Mavis Cheek (Kirkus UK)

Customer Reviews

Just read it!
However old you are, pick up a William book and I guarantee you will enjoy it. I started reading them when I was around 10, and have read them sporadically ever since. The humour appeals to adults and children alike, and Richmal Crompton's delicate touch will leave you begging for more. You follow William from the 20s, through the war and beyond, he is there when tv is invented, he is there all through it, but he is always 11 years old. He and his mates never change and never lose the will to enjoy life and laugh at problems Comfort reading of the highest order, kids today with their Harry Potter and Playstations should not be kept away from excellent writing like this.

Great Humour
I love William, he makes me ache with laughter and this book is no exception. Crompton writes with a wonderful irony and wit that hits the target every time. I do think these are better suited to older children and adults though as the language can be quite stylised and I think the humour can often miss its mark with smaller children. I expect they enjoy the adventures and slapstick side of things though. Lovely.

One of the best childrens books ever written in my opinion
It has always amazed me that William books are not more widely read and appreciated than they are. I would rate them all as childrens classics of the best kind. A must read for anyone with a sense of humour and a real understanding of a child's mind