Product Description

Something terrible happened at Kirkston Abbey school for boys during 1954. More than 40 years later, Tim Webber is determined to find out the truth. He uncovers a tale of a seemingly innocuous friendship between two boys who embark on psychological power games which escalate with sinister results.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1151088 in Books
• Published on: 2000-04-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 412 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
There are particular ironies involved in knowing that a story is going to end in misery and having to watch the detailed working out. We know from the beginning that terrible things happened at Kirkston Abbey, a 1950s public school, things so terrible that they gave a bishop a nervous breakdown--but by the time they actually happen we have learned to care about the people they happen to. As the narrator explains, it all begins with an act of kindness--aloof Rokeby helps sensitive Palmer with his Latin translation; two loners find a friendship that gets them through the bullying of boys and teachers. Those to whom evil is done, however, do evil in return, particularly once they get hold of a Ouija board, and what starts as resistance to oppression becomes a nightmare of vindictiveness and arbitrary destruction. Redmond has a real sense of the claustrophobic--the school is a Bad Place and the decade in which it exists is another--and is good on the social dynamics of scapegoating and bullying. This is an impressive first novel partly because it trades so successfully in ambiguities and partly because it is so painful. This is a novel about corruption, and a terrifying one. --Roz Kaveney

Customer Reviews

The Wishing Game
I really enjoyed this book, it is definetely one of my favourites of all time. It was full of suspense and I couldn't put it down until the very last page. It is well-written, haunting and I would recommend that YOU read it!

The best book I read last year
I can understand why some people didn't appreciate this book as much as I did. It is too subtle to understand if you don't pay close attention. But if you do, it will haunt you for the rest of your life.
I have no idea how a first time writer managed to go so deep in exploring the horrors of adolescence and the evil some people have in them. This book is probably the best thing about the human psychology I've ever read- up there with THE LORD OF THE FLIES. At the same time it is so delicate and sensitive in its descriptions of the various relationships among the boys that it might bring tears in your eyes.
And it is a relentless page turner. Redmond grabs you from the first page and never lets go. I stayed up all night to finish this book and it was worth it. And if the horrifying climax doesn't terrify you, then I'm sorry but you are not human.

A Compelling Read - but for the end
Like most of the readers on this page, I found "The Wishing Game" 'unputdownable'- the plot is gripping. I loved the way Richard is initially an admirable character but then turns into a monster. Like one of the readers, I too found the block capitals bits very irritating, and far too close to Internet 'shouting' than the late 50's atmosphere could have benefited from. Also, I did ask myself whether a 14-year old of the time would have sworn so much. All in all, though, I was totally gripped by the story, and couldn't wait to get to the end. When I did, however, I was quite disappointed by the lack of insight on what actually happened on the night of the seance. Whilst the author probably wanted to enshroud the episode in mistery, the result was a very unclear and unsatisfactory explanation - a real anticlimax. Had Redmond dared delving more into the occultist side of the story (a very risky thing to do), then maybe the ending could have been plausible. But it just wasn't. Anyway, I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't read it yet - go for it, it's a damn good book anyway.