Alison Uttley - a Traveller in Time, etc.

[Rob Houghton]

There may already be a thread about Alison Uttley but I couldn't find one.

I have had this book for ages, but for some reason have never read it - I think I couldn't get into it when I was younger...and now I can't find it!! However, we've been watching the excellent BBC children's TV version of it tday - made in 1978. I don't recall seeing this at the time, which is strange because I remember many others from a similar date - so it was a first viewing for me, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

It stars Sophie Thompson - who is apparently Emma Thompson's younger sister - and who also had parts later in Four Weddings and a Funeral and East Enders. She's curiously lifeless some of the time...I'm not sure I liked her performance - but I got used to it and she seemed to improve as it went along. It was her first TV role.

Well worth seeing - and a worthy addition to my Children's BBC library of DVD's!

Now I'm planning to get The Phoenix and the Carpet.

[Anita Bensoussane]

I watched A Traveller in Time on TV as a child (and went on to read the book) so I was pleased when it came out on DVD. A wistful story full of historical detail, which I enjoyed seeing again as an adult. Interesting that Sophie Thompson is Emma Thompson's sister, Rob.

I've just finished watching The Phoenix and the Carpet but will write about it on the E. Nesbit thread.