Product Description

Barney is a solitary eight-year-old, given to wandering off by himself. One day he is lying on the edge of disused chalk-pit when he tumbles over, lands in a sort of cave, and meets' somebody with a lot of shaggy hair and two bright black eyes' - wearing a rabbit-skin and speaking in grunts. He names him Stig. They learn to understand one another, and together they raid the rubbish dump at the bottom of the pit, improve Stig's cave dwelling, and enjoy a series of adventures that are sometimes wildly improbably and sometimes extremely practical.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2455 in Books
• Published on: 1993-10-28
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Review
An enduring favourite, this intriguing and humorous book tells the story of a friendship between modern Barney, and Stig the Stone Age boy whom he finds living in a chalk pit. Each is very strange to the other; but a wonderful understanding, based on curiosity and a respect for one another's skills develops. (8-11 yrs) (Kirkus UK)

Synopsis
Barney is a solitary eight-year-old, given to wandering off by himself. One day he is lying on the edge of disused chalk-pit when he tumbles over, lands in a sort of cave, and meets' somebody with a lot of shaggy hair and two bright black eyes' - wearing a rabbit-skin and speaking in grunts. He names him Stig. They learn to understand one another, and together they raid the rubbish dump at the bottom of the pit, improve Stig's cave dwelling, and enjoy a series of adventures that are sometimes wildly improbably and sometimes extremely practical.

About the Author
Clive King was born in Richmond, Surrey in 1924. When he was a baby his family moved to a village called Ash, near Sevenoaks in Kent, which is the setting for Stig of the Dump. He went to local schools, then King's School, Rochester and Downing College, Cambridge. During the war he served in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve and later joined the British Council. He now lives in a cottage in Norfolk, and has three children and several grandchildren.

Customer Reviews

Wonderful
My favourite childhood book - I read it countless times. This book seems to sum up what the school Summer holidays were all about when I was youngster, playing outside and having adventures (even though mine didn't include rubbish dumps or cavemen!).

Perhaps Clive King's masterpiece might seem a little dated to the modern child but I believe the relationship between Barney & Stig that lies at the heart of the book will still captivate new readers. The simple pen and ink illustrations are little gems that complement the written text beautifully.

If you want to encourage an under 10 year old to read for pleasure then I would recommend introducing him or her to Stig of the Dump.

Magical
I loved this story as a child. Even then it was dated, but classic stories like this easily weather that. Barney's growing relationship with the caveboy Stig is so magical that you become totally immersed in their world. I am looking forward to reading this to my own children. It has all the ingredients of a classic adventure story, a lonely boy finds a special friend who is unique and magical and together they create a world of their own.

A true childhood classic
I read this when I was 7 years old, way back in 1973. It is true gem of a book, even though some of the stories elements have become a bit dated, such as Barney's sister riding in a hunt etc.. The overall story is a bit like childhood version of 'Quatermass and the Pit'. with Barney our childhood narrator discovering the chalk quarry by falling head long into it's depths - soon to discover a lost apeman, from an unknown tribe. I won't get drawn into giving too much of the story away, suffice to say that it is a beautiful book of friendship, discovery and childhood imagination run wild. In fact a timeless classic and one that should be remembered for many years to come. This audio is shear excellence and Tony Robinson brings a whole new depth to this superb story. Worth reading the terrific book by Clive King - YES! But Mr Robinson brings a class of his own to this magnificent story.