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The Flint Heart
A robust and wildly entertaining fairy tale, freely abridged from Eden Phillpotts's 1910 fantasy and wryly retold by Katherine and John Paterson.
An ambitious Stone Age man demands a talisman that will harden his heart, allowing him to take control of his tribe. Against his better judgment, the tribe's magic man creates the Flint Heart, but the cruelty of it causes the destruction of the tribe. Thousands of years later, the talisman reemerges to corrupt a kindly farmer, an innocent fairy creature, and a familial badger. Can Charles and his sister Unity, who have consulted with fairies such as the mysterious Zagabog, wisest creature in the universe, find a way to rescue humans, fairies, and animals alike from the dark influence of the Flint Heart? This humorous, hearty, utterly delightful fairy tale is the sort for an entire family to savor together or an adventurous youngster to devour.
An ambitious Stone Age man demands a talisman that will harden his heart, allowing him to take control of his tribe. Against his better judgment, the tribe's magic man creates the Flint Heart, but the cruelty of it causes the destruction of the tribe. Thousands of years later, the talisman reemerges to corrupt a kindly farmer, an innocent fairy creature, and a familial badger. Can Charles and his sister Unity, who have consulted with fairies such as the mysterious Zagabog, wisest creature in the universe, find a way to rescue humans, fairies, and animals alike from the dark influence of the Flint Heart? This humorous, hearty, utterly delightful fairy tale is the sort for an entire family to savor together or an adventurous youngster to devour.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published September 27, 2011
17 people are currently reading
1684 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Paterson
164 books2,382 followersKatherine Womeldorf Paterson is an American writer best known for children's novels, including Bridge to Terabithia. For four different books published 1975–1980, she won two Newbery Medals and two National Book Awards. She is one of four people to win the two major international awards; for "lasting contribution to children's literature" she won the biennial Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing in 1998 and for her career contribution to "children's and young adult literature in the broadest sense" she won the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award from the Swedish Arts Council in 2006, the biggest monetary prize in children's literature. Also for her body of work she was awarded the NSK Neustadt Prize for Children's Literature in 2007 and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal from the American Library Association in 2013. She was the second US National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, serving 2010 and 2011.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 278 reviews
June 8, 2011
Review of an advance copy:
I hope when the final edition comes out that the book will more clearly explain that this story was written in 1910 and was just abridged/updated by the Patersons. The only place I could find that on the ARC was in a little note on the back. It felt kind of funny, because the book was reading like an old classic and slightly old-fashioned and also not much like Katherine Paterson's other stories. When I understood it was someone else's story, it all made sense. As for the story, I really enjoyed it. It was cute and clever, and the characters were really quite funny. The illustrations are supposed to be in full color, but the black and white ones I saw were already quite lovely. My favorite character illustration was probably for the king, but the characters are all unique and attractive. The way the story is put together reminded me of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, and I think it will probably also appeal to Edward Tulane fans. It will also appeal to those who enjoy a story with a classic feel and to those parents who enjoy reading a story to or along with their children.
I hope when the final edition comes out that the book will more clearly explain that this story was written in 1910 and was just abridged/updated by the Patersons. The only place I could find that on the ARC was in a little note on the back. It felt kind of funny, because the book was reading like an old classic and slightly old-fashioned and also not much like Katherine Paterson's other stories. When I understood it was someone else's story, it all made sense. As for the story, I really enjoyed it. It was cute and clever, and the characters were really quite funny. The illustrations are supposed to be in full color, but the black and white ones I saw were already quite lovely. My favorite character illustration was probably for the king, but the characters are all unique and attractive. The way the story is put together reminded me of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, and I think it will probably also appeal to Edward Tulane fans. It will also appeal to those who enjoy a story with a classic feel and to those parents who enjoy reading a story to or along with their children.
March 21, 2012
I want to begin by saying that I think Katherine Patterson is enormously talented author and her book The Great Gilly Hopkins is one of my all-time favorites. It is precisely because of my past experience with Patterson’s work that I was anxious to read The Flint Heart.
Unfortunately, The Flint Heart was a disappointment for me. I probably would not have actually finished the book had I not been confident that Patterson’s extraordinary gifts would eventually break through. For me, at least, this was not the case.
The story is a retelling of an old tale about a heart, or amulet-like stone, made from flint which leeches the goodness from whomever possesses it, replacing it with cold ruthlessness. The first couple of chapters relate the creation of the flint heart for a warrior who is determined to take over as chieftain of his tribe. By the end of the second chapter the stage seems to be set for the good vs. evil saga of the flint heart.
What actually occurs, however, is just a chain of events that exist without any well-developed characters to motivate the reader to care about them. Centuries after its creation a once kind, loving father finds the “heart” and is transformed into a cruel man bearing no resemblance to the father beloved by his children. His son, Charles, determined to help return his father to his original state, seeks help from the magical underground world of Pixies.
It is at this point that the story begins its surprising descent into the banal. Too much time is spent describing the trappings of fairy banquets and not enough on Charles and his younger sister. The story gets too bogged down in the external language trappings of folkloric tradition without ever connecting with the reader on a personal level. We are never motivated to identify with or care about Charles to any substantial degree. The characters are lost in fairy banquet descriptions and so is the reader’s stake in the resolution of the story.
Although I highly recommend most of Ms. Patterson’s other work, I did not enjoy The Flint Heart and would not recommend it as either a read-aloud or an independent reading selection.
Unfortunately, The Flint Heart was a disappointment for me. I probably would not have actually finished the book had I not been confident that Patterson’s extraordinary gifts would eventually break through. For me, at least, this was not the case.
The story is a retelling of an old tale about a heart, or amulet-like stone, made from flint which leeches the goodness from whomever possesses it, replacing it with cold ruthlessness. The first couple of chapters relate the creation of the flint heart for a warrior who is determined to take over as chieftain of his tribe. By the end of the second chapter the stage seems to be set for the good vs. evil saga of the flint heart.
What actually occurs, however, is just a chain of events that exist without any well-developed characters to motivate the reader to care about them. Centuries after its creation a once kind, loving father finds the “heart” and is transformed into a cruel man bearing no resemblance to the father beloved by his children. His son, Charles, determined to help return his father to his original state, seeks help from the magical underground world of Pixies.
It is at this point that the story begins its surprising descent into the banal. Too much time is spent describing the trappings of fairy banquets and not enough on Charles and his younger sister. The story gets too bogged down in the external language trappings of folkloric tradition without ever connecting with the reader on a personal level. We are never motivated to identify with or care about Charles to any substantial degree. The characters are lost in fairy banquet descriptions and so is the reader’s stake in the resolution of the story.
Although I highly recommend most of Ms. Patterson’s other work, I did not enjoy The Flint Heart and would not recommend it as either a read-aloud or an independent reading selection.
September 12, 2011
Please consider this a 3.5 rating and very nearly a four. Overall this was an interesting and well told story. It reminded me very much of something my fourth grade teacher would have read out loud to the class a chapter at a time after recess each day. And that's a big compliment. In fact, I think this book probably needs to be read aloud. That being said, I think I was expecting something that...consumed me and totally swept me into an imaginary world and this didn't deliver that.
Recommended for 4th grade.
Recommended for 4th grade.
November 3, 2011
I can't remember the last time I've seen such a deluxe children's book as this newest book from Katherine and John Paterson. Imagine heavy, glossy pages, a large type face, lush gold trim swirling around the cover illustrations, and a multitude of rich, magical illustrations by John Rocco throughout the book. (See Wolf! Wolf! for another beautiful book by Mr. Rocco.)
The story itself is a true fairy tale. There are pixies and fairies and all sorts of tiny talking creatures. There is magic and mystery, kindness and unkindness. The story centers on a small piece of flint, shaped like a heart, that has the magical ability to change a person's personality instantly. No matter how kind or cheerful he may have been, when he holds the flint heart he becomes power-hungry, cruel, and heartless.
Although the tale begins with a humorous episode in England in the Stone Age, it soon moves forward to rural Dartmoor about 100 years ago. A farmer with a large family finds the flint, and his personality is transformed. The rest of the story is the adventures of Charles and Unity, two of the farmer's children, as they try to bring back their beloved father's gentle personality. They need the help of many tiny creatures in the fairy kingdom to achieve their goal.
Parents should know that this is a true old-fashioned fairy tale, originally written in 1910, with dispassionate violence and cruelty to fairies, dogs, and children. In the Stone Age, "Phutt cooly took out his ax and whacked the man on the head, killing him on the spot." Phutt committed other dastardly acts, as did all the others that found the flint heart through the centuries. As Walt Disney used to say, you can't have a good story without a strong villain. Cruella deVille and Captain Hook are each integral parts of their stories.
There is an underlying message in this book about the way greed and power can corrupt personalities, but there are also cheerful, almost nonsensical Lewis Carroll-type places in the book, about the imps and bugaboos and other creatures who help Charles and Unity get rid of the flint heart.
This updated version of the 1910 story of the flint heart, by Eden Phillpotts, is adapted, but in many ways identical to the original. The Paterson adaptation carries the same 1910 feel in style of writing, but John Rocco's glorious artwork in the Patersons' book is richer and much more descriptive than the black and white ink drawings in the original. Phillpotts' original story is available for sale on Amazon, or can be found for free on the internet. The charming, old-fashioned style of writing might be awkward at first, but children should be able to adapt quickly.
The story itself is a true fairy tale. There are pixies and fairies and all sorts of tiny talking creatures. There is magic and mystery, kindness and unkindness. The story centers on a small piece of flint, shaped like a heart, that has the magical ability to change a person's personality instantly. No matter how kind or cheerful he may have been, when he holds the flint heart he becomes power-hungry, cruel, and heartless.
Although the tale begins with a humorous episode in England in the Stone Age, it soon moves forward to rural Dartmoor about 100 years ago. A farmer with a large family finds the flint, and his personality is transformed. The rest of the story is the adventures of Charles and Unity, two of the farmer's children, as they try to bring back their beloved father's gentle personality. They need the help of many tiny creatures in the fairy kingdom to achieve their goal.
Parents should know that this is a true old-fashioned fairy tale, originally written in 1910, with dispassionate violence and cruelty to fairies, dogs, and children. In the Stone Age, "Phutt cooly took out his ax and whacked the man on the head, killing him on the spot." Phutt committed other dastardly acts, as did all the others that found the flint heart through the centuries. As Walt Disney used to say, you can't have a good story without a strong villain. Cruella deVille and Captain Hook are each integral parts of their stories.
There is an underlying message in this book about the way greed and power can corrupt personalities, but there are also cheerful, almost nonsensical Lewis Carroll-type places in the book, about the imps and bugaboos and other creatures who help Charles and Unity get rid of the flint heart.
This updated version of the 1910 story of the flint heart, by Eden Phillpotts, is adapted, but in many ways identical to the original. The Paterson adaptation carries the same 1910 feel in style of writing, but John Rocco's glorious artwork in the Patersons' book is richer and much more descriptive than the black and white ink drawings in the original. Phillpotts' original story is available for sale on Amazon, or can be found for free on the internet. The charming, old-fashioned style of writing might be awkward at first, but children should be able to adapt quickly.
May 20, 2012
Best part of this book: John Rocco's illustrations, which are literally breathtaking. The story itself is kind of cool, a stereotypical fable about greed vs kindness, with the tale spanning several eras/generations. The flint heart is a sort of Lord of the Rings ring, capturing all who possess it and turning their souls to badness. And I like fairy stories.
Unfortunately, I felt that the Patersons tried to be way too cutesy with it - they are clearly railing against simplified storybooks, and upholding the fable/fairy/folktale tradition as superior to all other literary forms, which is debatable. The characters are good, but I think the authors got a big arrogant about the whole thing, to the point that sometimes the message gets lost.
Now, I missed the note that this was a "Freely Abridged" version of a 1910 tale before I started reading it, so perhaps some of the sentences are from the 1910 version. But why do that? Why not truly adapt it? For example, I found that the whole hanging/drawing/quartering thing might have worked fine in 1910, but it does not work now, I did not appreciate the whole "drawing" scene, and I honestly don't think kids reading it would understand it, because few will know what historical "drawing" was, and I am not sure I want a 5th grader to know that at this point, especially in light of the violence in the Middle East over the last decade, to which kids have been exposed. This may sound curmudgeonly, but there ya go.
I guess I just didn't like that they found it necessary to continue to use a rather lofty sentence structure and awfully big words to tell the story. It felt to me as if the story was only a vehicle for the political statement about storytelling, not the other way around. I feel this way about Hans Christian Andersen's tales - they're arrogant, too, at least to me. And some don't make sense at all to me, just ramblings. Now, Daniel Handler's use of big words through Lemony Snicket is much more productive, because the story is #1. Patersons' attempt may fall flat for a lot of readers, who might have just continued on reading stories in the genre if the attitude hadn't been there.
Unfortunately, I felt that the Patersons tried to be way too cutesy with it - they are clearly railing against simplified storybooks, and upholding the fable/fairy/folktale tradition as superior to all other literary forms, which is debatable. The characters are good, but I think the authors got a big arrogant about the whole thing, to the point that sometimes the message gets lost.
Now, I missed the note that this was a "Freely Abridged" version of a 1910 tale before I started reading it, so perhaps some of the sentences are from the 1910 version. But why do that? Why not truly adapt it? For example, I found that the whole hanging/drawing/quartering thing might have worked fine in 1910, but it does not work now, I did not appreciate the whole "drawing" scene, and I honestly don't think kids reading it would understand it, because few will know what historical "drawing" was, and I am not sure I want a 5th grader to know that at this point, especially in light of the violence in the Middle East over the last decade, to which kids have been exposed. This may sound curmudgeonly, but there ya go.
I guess I just didn't like that they found it necessary to continue to use a rather lofty sentence structure and awfully big words to tell the story. It felt to me as if the story was only a vehicle for the political statement about storytelling, not the other way around. I feel this way about Hans Christian Andersen's tales - they're arrogant, too, at least to me. And some don't make sense at all to me, just ramblings. Now, Daniel Handler's use of big words through Lemony Snicket is much more productive, because the story is #1. Patersons' attempt may fall flat for a lot of readers, who might have just continued on reading stories in the genre if the attitude hadn't been there.
July 17, 2018
I picked up this book for $.50 (in perfect condition) from a library sale. It cried out to my former inner-D&D player. It is a quick read at under 300 pages. The story moves well, the characters are well-defined, and the handful of illustrations are BEAUTIFUL. Perhaps the weirdest thing about the story is there is a talking, walking, German-made water bottle. Yep...you read that right. This threw me off a bit because it was just so odd and random. However, the author made it work.
Initially, I bought this book in hopes my daughter would want to read it. She couldn't have been less interested. It worked out because she would have had some difficulties with the sentence structure and vocabulary. The version I have- which is the one pictured- is "freely abridged from Eden Phillpott's 1910 fantasy". What does that mean, you may ask? The KJV of the bible is abridged from the original, making it a bit easier to digest, but it still takes a while to get used to if you are unfamiliar with the terms and cadence of the time. This version of The Flint Heart still reads like an old European-English tale. Though it will provide wonderful opportunities for vocabulary enrichment, there is no way my tween would be able to comprehend this book independently.
It would make a wonderful reading assignment for a middle-school teacher.
If you come across this book and are a fan of D&D, you will likely appreciate this book. It is no LOTR by any stretch...just a fun, quick, entertaining read to pleasantly pass the time.
Enjoy!
Initially, I bought this book in hopes my daughter would want to read it. She couldn't have been less interested. It worked out because she would have had some difficulties with the sentence structure and vocabulary. The version I have- which is the one pictured- is "freely abridged from Eden Phillpott's 1910 fantasy". What does that mean, you may ask? The KJV of the bible is abridged from the original, making it a bit easier to digest, but it still takes a while to get used to if you are unfamiliar with the terms and cadence of the time. This version of The Flint Heart still reads like an old European-English tale. Though it will provide wonderful opportunities for vocabulary enrichment, there is no way my tween would be able to comprehend this book independently.
It would make a wonderful reading assignment for a middle-school teacher.
If you come across this book and are a fan of D&D, you will likely appreciate this book. It is no LOTR by any stretch...just a fun, quick, entertaining read to pleasantly pass the time.
Enjoy!
July 20, 2020
Beautifully written and illustrated.
April 13, 2017
Relyn Rating: 4.5 stars
I missed reviewing this book back when I read this. It's been over a year so all I remember is how much I enjoyed it. It had a very old-fashioned fairy tale feel. I'm going to have to listen to it again so I can do the review justice.
I missed reviewing this book back when I read this. It's been over a year so all I remember is how much I enjoyed it. It had a very old-fashioned fairy tale feel. I'm going to have to listen to it again so I can do the review justice.
May 28, 2017
Fantasy is not my favorite genre. However, the Patersons write an interesting tale.
March 19, 2018
Started out great. I realize it's a children's book, however, when the talking hot water bottle was introduced the story went down hill fast. Almost ridiculous to finish reading.
March 2, 2012
Reason for Reading: I enjoy the author and would read any new book by her that piqued my interest. I read this aloud to my son.
I'll start by saying that my son enjoyed this book much more than I did. That is factored into my rating. I read a chapter a day but before each reading I'd have my son give me a little recap on what happened last time as I was honestly so bored I couldn't remember what was going on. I kept thinking about the last book we read together! However when we were finished the book, my son's response was that the book had been "awesome!" and "Is there a sequel?" Go figure.
The story is repetitive. Someone finds the flint heart, wears it, and turns nasty. Then when someone else manages to get it away from them they fling it away only to later have another unfortunate soul find the flint heart again to repeat the process once more. Here we have our classic fairy tale element and I'll say my son (and I) are big fairy tale fans and I think he found comfort and enjoyment in the predictability of that plotline. Of course, our hero's task is to destroy the flint heart completely causing some adventure. Ds enjoyed the characters mostly. The wise old Zagabog, the funny fairy king and queen, as well as the other fairy characters; and he enjoyed both of the protagonists, a boy named Charles and his little sister Unity.
I was interested in the original this was "abridged" from, so started reading some of it online and a lot of the language has been kept, with whole phrases verbatim. What seems to be missing is the depth of language present in the original. I actually found myself getting interested in Phillpott's story and found his sense of humour dry and witty, something completely missing in this adaptation. The Kindle edition is too expensive for a public domain book but if I find it for up to 2 bucks, I'd like to read the original, which is much longer also. One point I must make is that the artwork by Rocco is beautiful. Large paintings that take up almost the entire 2-page spread in luscious earth tones. They are a pure delight to behold.
I'll start by saying that my son enjoyed this book much more than I did. That is factored into my rating. I read a chapter a day but before each reading I'd have my son give me a little recap on what happened last time as I was honestly so bored I couldn't remember what was going on. I kept thinking about the last book we read together! However when we were finished the book, my son's response was that the book had been "awesome!" and "Is there a sequel?" Go figure.
The story is repetitive. Someone finds the flint heart, wears it, and turns nasty. Then when someone else manages to get it away from them they fling it away only to later have another unfortunate soul find the flint heart again to repeat the process once more. Here we have our classic fairy tale element and I'll say my son (and I) are big fairy tale fans and I think he found comfort and enjoyment in the predictability of that plotline. Of course, our hero's task is to destroy the flint heart completely causing some adventure. Ds enjoyed the characters mostly. The wise old Zagabog, the funny fairy king and queen, as well as the other fairy characters; and he enjoyed both of the protagonists, a boy named Charles and his little sister Unity.
I was interested in the original this was "abridged" from, so started reading some of it online and a lot of the language has been kept, with whole phrases verbatim. What seems to be missing is the depth of language present in the original. I actually found myself getting interested in Phillpott's story and found his sense of humour dry and witty, something completely missing in this adaptation. The Kindle edition is too expensive for a public domain book but if I find it for up to 2 bucks, I'd like to read the original, which is much longer also. One point I must make is that the artwork by Rocco is beautiful. Large paintings that take up almost the entire 2-page spread in luscious earth tones. They are a pure delight to behold.
April 13, 2012
Five thousand years ago, a warrior named Phutt had a beef with the chief of his tribe, Brok, and asked the tribe's mystery man, Fum, to create a charm made of flint rock to give him a hard heart. Reluctantly, Fum does so and Phutt becomes a mad man, killing children, whacking a man in the head with an ax and killing him, acting defiantly towards the chief and eventually killing him too, etc. When Phutt dies and his reign thankfully ends, his remains and the Flint Heart are buried together and forgotten until just 100 years ago, when a pleasant man named Billy Jago finds the Flint Heart and putting it on, is immediately transformed for the worse. As the story continues, the charm is worn by a jacky toad and a raccoon as well. With the help of the fairies and a discarded water bottle who prefers to go by the name Bismarck, the two main characters of the book, Charles and Unity (Billy Jago's children), the Flint Heart is destroyed.
For whatever reason, I had a really hard time getting into this book. Once I was vested in Charles and Unity, I was hooked and it was a quick read from then on. I have some great reservations in terms of my middle school aged students and their enjoyment of this story. They will be turned off by the language and I think it is rather violent at times, which is probably more troubling to me than it is to my students, if I'm being honest! The illustrations are beautiful and add significantly to the story!
For whatever reason, I had a really hard time getting into this book. Once I was vested in Charles and Unity, I was hooked and it was a quick read from then on. I have some great reservations in terms of my middle school aged students and their enjoyment of this story. They will be turned off by the language and I think it is rather violent at times, which is probably more troubling to me than it is to my students, if I'm being honest! The illustrations are beautiful and add significantly to the story!
June 4, 2012
This past week I had my darling grandaughter, 9 yr. old Laney, who is growing up entirely too fast, but for right now, we have alot in common and I adore having her around. She is an avid reader and read The Flint Heart by Katherine & John Paterson. Since she was so quick in her reading, I asked if she would like to give a review and this is her review of this wonderful book:
The Flint Heart was created many years ago as a charm that is a rock that makes people evil. Many people end up getting this charm, and the land of Dartmoor goes out of control. A boy named Charles and his little sister, Unity, track down the Flint Heart. With a little help from their friend, Bismark (who is a German hot water bottle) they finally destroy the Flint Heart. The pixies and the Zagabog help out, too. This miraculaous adventure is suited for all ages:
List of the Flint Heart's Victims: Phuttphutt-Human
William Jago-Human
Marsh Galloper- Jacky Toad
Mr. Meles-Badger
The Flint Heart was created many years ago as a charm that is a rock that makes people evil. Many people end up getting this charm, and the land of Dartmoor goes out of control. A boy named Charles and his little sister, Unity, track down the Flint Heart. With a little help from their friend, Bismark (who is a German hot water bottle) they finally destroy the Flint Heart. The pixies and the Zagabog help out, too. This miraculaous adventure is suited for all ages:
List of the Flint Heart's Victims: Phuttphutt-Human
William Jago-Human
Marsh Galloper- Jacky Toad
Mr. Meles-Badger
January 20, 2015
School Library Journal
( March 01, 2012; 9781455822430 )
http://www.booksinprint.com/DetailedV...#
I dearly loved the fantastical telling of the story in a manner akin to the old fairy tales -- where the wicked can cause a great deal of damage to people’s lives and where characters must make the initiative to solve the problem (with a little help of magic). What is alluring about this book is its layout, design, and the illustrations sometimes it is hard to ignore these pictures in favor of continuing the story, therefore the advice given by the review by School Library Journal is to have the book available to listen to so readers would have a chance to look at the pictures. This is a great story to also read aloud to students -- depending on the age group and vocabulary acquisition the students may have a hard time reading this story on their own -- but it is a great learning opportunity and chance for the teacher to demonstrate fluent reading.
( March 01, 2012; 9781455822430 )
http://www.booksinprint.com/DetailedV...#
I dearly loved the fantastical telling of the story in a manner akin to the old fairy tales -- where the wicked can cause a great deal of damage to people’s lives and where characters must make the initiative to solve the problem (with a little help of magic). What is alluring about this book is its layout, design, and the illustrations sometimes it is hard to ignore these pictures in favor of continuing the story, therefore the advice given by the review by School Library Journal is to have the book available to listen to so readers would have a chance to look at the pictures. This is a great story to also read aloud to students -- depending on the age group and vocabulary acquisition the students may have a hard time reading this story on their own -- but it is a great learning opportunity and chance for the teacher to demonstrate fluent reading.
September 7, 2013
Title / Author / Publication Date: The Flint Heart/Katherine Paterson/2011
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Format: Hardcover
Plot summary: An ambitious Stone Age man demands a talisman that will harden his heart, allowing him to take control of his tribe. Against his better judgment, the tribe's magic man creates the Flint Heart, but the cruelty of it causes the destruction of the tribe. Thousands of years later, the talisman reemerges to corrupt a kindly farmer, an innocent fairy creature, and a familial badger.
Considerations or precautions for readers advisory: The Flint Heart makes people cold hearted and violent. The first section of the book involves individuals being chopped in half with axes and other references to killing.
Review citation: Abbott, A. (2011). The Flint Heart. School Library Journal, 57(8), 82.
Section source used to find the material: Children's Core Collection, Most Highly Recommended
Recommended age: 8 and up
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Format: Hardcover
Plot summary: An ambitious Stone Age man demands a talisman that will harden his heart, allowing him to take control of his tribe. Against his better judgment, the tribe's magic man creates the Flint Heart, but the cruelty of it causes the destruction of the tribe. Thousands of years later, the talisman reemerges to corrupt a kindly farmer, an innocent fairy creature, and a familial badger.
Considerations or precautions for readers advisory: The Flint Heart makes people cold hearted and violent. The first section of the book involves individuals being chopped in half with axes and other references to killing.
Review citation: Abbott, A. (2011). The Flint Heart. School Library Journal, 57(8), 82.
Section source used to find the material: Children's Core Collection, Most Highly Recommended
Recommended age: 8 and up
May 29, 2015
Fum is an artist. He is able to make strong charms for his tribespeople. One day he is asked to make a charm strong enough for the wearer to overcome the tribe leader and with one strike of his adze Fum makes such a charm.
This is where the story begins – crossing thousands of years and causing terrible heartache. The story picks up again with the Jago family. Purely by chance, Billy Jago, a kindly husband, father and farmer, finds the flint heart.
It’s wickedness goes to work immediately, changing Billy to a mean man. His children want their loving father back and decide to buy him a present to cheer him up. Not sure what to give him, they decide to ask the pixies in the forest for help. A magical adventure and the quest to destroy the flint heart and win their father back begins.
This is where the story begins – crossing thousands of years and causing terrible heartache. The story picks up again with the Jago family. Purely by chance, Billy Jago, a kindly husband, father and farmer, finds the flint heart.
It’s wickedness goes to work immediately, changing Billy to a mean man. His children want their loving father back and decide to buy him a present to cheer him up. Not sure what to give him, they decide to ask the pixies in the forest for help. A magical adventure and the quest to destroy the flint heart and win their father back begins.
May 21, 2012
I really wanted to like this book. I loved the beginning with the cavemen, but once we got to Charles and Unity I found myself bored. The story had lost the charm and fun that it began with. I don't know if that was due to the re-writing of the original, or if Eden Phillpotts' story also had this failing.
I really did like Katherine Paterson's letter at the end and I'm glad I decided to keep listening.
I really did like Katherine Paterson's letter at the end and I'm glad I decided to keep listening.
October 16, 2011
I won this book on goodreads.com. I watch my grandchildren 3 days of the week after school, so upon recieving this book it I offered it up to my grandaughter to read. When she was finished I asked her how it was. She said it was excellent. I asked her what she liked about it. She said, "Every word." That's enough for me. She highly recommends this book.
October 23, 2012
It's very interesting... I like how the authors told like a fairy tale as in you were watching it in your mind. I recommend it to anyone who likes Fantasy books.
Monday: 45 minutes
Monday: 45 minutes
February 5, 2018
Cute. Old fashioned.
October 24, 2015
This was an okay read for me. I finished it fairly quickly and found the narrative style really easy to get through, but I wasn't very interested or invested in the story.
October 11, 2014
The pictures are beautiful but the story is tough to get through. Geez, even though nobody likes a quitter, I finally had to put the book down. I couldn't get through it. :(
July 12, 2015
It was exciting and awesome and I recommend it!
July 25, 2021
The Flint Heart is a story for young and old alike! Part Aesop Fable, part George MacDonald type fantasy, part Alice in Wonderland, this book is an adeptly abridged 1911 Victorian fantasy written by Eden Phillpotts.
It's clear that two time Newberry author, Katherine Patterson and her husband John had a rollicking good time with the retelling. This book is a tale with many layers and deep meanings.
The story begins in Stone Age Dartmoor, England where a medicine man creates a flint heart; woe to those who find themselves in its possession. Fast forward to the early 1900s and the Jago family in particular. Son Charles and his wise younger sister 'Unity' become involved with solving the mystery of the Flint Heart.
The siblings embark on several journeys to Fairyland where they meet the unforgettable DeQuincy, an imp like poet and scholar who bemoans the loss of culture in humanity and fairyland. Literary allusions to Shakespeare, Tennyson and Herrick made me smile. The tongue and cheek humor for adults goes deep,
This book is wise, entertaining, educational and very imaginative. When the Zagabog, the wise overseer of Fairyland retells the story of the Tortoise and the Hare, he says, "Consider the subject of points. There are points of mountains, points of tacks...but there are two points that are more important. The point we all have is the point of our noses...and the point that we ought to have is the Point of View. The Point of View is the most important of points, everyone should have his own in the first place, and everybody else's Point of View is the second place, because a Point of View is always a tender thing."
Well done with many truths and spectacular illustrations that also bring the story to life!
It's clear that two time Newberry author, Katherine Patterson and her husband John had a rollicking good time with the retelling. This book is a tale with many layers and deep meanings.
The story begins in Stone Age Dartmoor, England where a medicine man creates a flint heart; woe to those who find themselves in its possession. Fast forward to the early 1900s and the Jago family in particular. Son Charles and his wise younger sister 'Unity' become involved with solving the mystery of the Flint Heart.
The siblings embark on several journeys to Fairyland where they meet the unforgettable DeQuincy, an imp like poet and scholar who bemoans the loss of culture in humanity and fairyland. Literary allusions to Shakespeare, Tennyson and Herrick made me smile. The tongue and cheek humor for adults goes deep,
This book is wise, entertaining, educational and very imaginative. When the Zagabog, the wise overseer of Fairyland retells the story of the Tortoise and the Hare, he says, "Consider the subject of points. There are points of mountains, points of tacks...but there are two points that are more important. The point we all have is the point of our noses...and the point that we ought to have is the Point of View. The Point of View is the most important of points, everyone should have his own in the first place, and everybody else's Point of View is the second place, because a Point of View is always a tender thing."
Well done with many truths and spectacular illustrations that also bring the story to life!
March 7, 2024
Not a perfect story, but there's so much to love I'm recommending it widely. Whether you're a fan of The Wizard of Oz (esp. sequels), or the juveniles of James Thurber, for example The Wonderful O, The Princess and the Goblin, original fairy tales, fractured versions of classic wonder tales, or just nice old-fashioned fables, please give this short book a try.
I don't want to say too much about it specifically. I'd rather let you make the discoveries about its appeal as you read along, as I did. (I had no idea what it was; I only checked it out because I know Paterson and so I knew that I had to try it.)
I will say the art is wonderfully detailed and still easy on older eyes.
And one of the themes is one of my favorites: "[Another] Point of View."
And there are great ideas: "Many people are angry when they make a mistake, but few people have the sense to be sorry."
I would have considered this one of my very favorites when I was a girl, and would've read it over & over.
I don't want to say too much about it specifically. I'd rather let you make the discoveries about its appeal as you read along, as I did. (I had no idea what it was; I only checked it out because I know Paterson and so I knew that I had to try it.)
I will say the art is wonderfully detailed and still easy on older eyes.
And one of the themes is one of my favorites: "[Another] Point of View."
And there are great ideas: "Many people are angry when they make a mistake, but few people have the sense to be sorry."
I would have considered this one of my very favorites when I was a girl, and would've read it over & over.
April 24, 2018
In Stone Age Dartmoor, Phuttphutt cannot understand, why he, the mightiest warrior of his tribe is not chief. He goes to the tribe’s shaman and demands that he make a powerful charm. One that will make Phutt, as he’s called for short, chief. Fum, the shaman, creates with the help of the Spirit of Thunder creates a heart shaped piece of flint that Phutt can wear around his neck. It makes him aggressive, ill-tempered, and uncaring of others, and he soon bullies his way into chiefdom. On the down side nobody in his tribe can stand to be around him, so when he dies. The flint heart goes into the grave with him.
There it stays for 5,000 years, until, early in the 19th century, genial farmer Billy Jago unearths it. Suddenly, the formerly affectionate father starts ordering his children about rudely, plotting to swindle his neighbors, and in general acting a complete bully. Distressed by this sudden change for the worse in his father’s behavior, young Charles Jago with his younger sister Unity seek the aid of the local pixies to find a cure.
The Patersons have shortened and updated Phillpott’s novel without losing any of the original’s gentle wit and sly charm. Rocco’s colorful illustrations add to the delight of this newly refreshed edition.
There it stays for 5,000 years, until, early in the 19th century, genial farmer Billy Jago unearths it. Suddenly, the formerly affectionate father starts ordering his children about rudely, plotting to swindle his neighbors, and in general acting a complete bully. Distressed by this sudden change for the worse in his father’s behavior, young Charles Jago with his younger sister Unity seek the aid of the local pixies to find a cure.
The Patersons have shortened and updated Phillpott’s novel without losing any of the original’s gentle wit and sly charm. Rocco’s colorful illustrations add to the delight of this newly refreshed edition.
December 16, 2017
I found this book really boring, but I think young children (maybe 2nd grade) would enjoy it. The problem there is that the language in it is too difficult for most young children, though the print is large and the line spacing is generous. So, while it seems designed for younger children, I'm not convinced they could read and enjoy it.
The issue may be that the Patersons are not the original story authors; they've abridged this from Eden Phillpotts's 1910 fantasy. Still, Katherine Paterson's works for older children are superb; this one not so much. This project might better have been left "under the bed," as authors sometimes say.
The issue may be that the Patersons are not the original story authors; they've abridged this from Eden Phillpotts's 1910 fantasy. Still, Katherine Paterson's works for older children are superb; this one not so much. This project might better have been left "under the bed," as authors sometimes say.
May 4, 2020
I read a review of this in the New York Times... a rave, actually. Katherine Paterson and her husband retelling an old story. It's a gorgeous book, lavishly and stunningly illustrated, beautiful, glossy paper, large, widely spaced text...just lovely.
It's too bad that the way the story is told is so snide and annoying. They were going for cute and witty, and ended up with dumbed-down, patronizing and lame. The whole tongue-in-cheek, aren't we clever thing just aggravated me. So incredibly disappointing from this author.
It's too bad that the way the story is told is so snide and annoying. They were going for cute and witty, and ended up with dumbed-down, patronizing and lame. The whole tongue-in-cheek, aren't we clever thing just aggravated me. So incredibly disappointing from this author.
July 7, 2017
I have been having a hard time reading and I really thought this was cool... I like the thought of the story but it just really did not grab me. It always felt like I should have been reading it to a little. Like mother goose. It felt like a story that should be shared with a kid. It never felt like one that I could enjoy on my on... It just dragged out for me. I did think it was very cute and whimsical.
September 3, 2019
I know that people love this book, but I am not one of them. I got really tired of all the shenanigans brought about by the flint heart, a magical object that basically turns the owner into a pompous, overbearing asshole. My 8yo did not like this either. We wanted to like it - magic, fairies, talking dogs, a hot water bottle, but it didn’t work for us. Too redundant.
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