Skellig: The Play

by david-almond

"David Almond's Printz Honor-winning novel is a captivating modern classic.
"Ten-year-old Michael was looking forward to moving into a new house. But now his baby sister is ill, his parents are frantic, and Doctor Death has come to call. Michael feels helpless. Then he steps into the crumbling garage. . . . What is this thing beneath the spiderwebs and dead flies? A human being, or a strange kind of beast never before seen? The only person Michael can confide in is his new friend, Mina. Together they carry the creature out into the light, and Michael's world changes forever. . . .

Genres: Plays, Fantasy

118 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is Skellig? That's the beauty of this book; you never really know for sure.

David Almond leaves you to decide and imagine for yourself.

If you want to be moved, intrigued and inspired, read this.

[Spencer Fancutt · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very disappointing adaptation of the novel. You know when there are more 'NARRATION' lines than character lines that someone is not trying hard enough.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Skellig a long time ago. I was in middle school, somewhere between 5th and 8th grade. I don't remember the year exactly, but I do remember the book. Skellig stayed in my memory stronger than most of the literature I was exposed to in that time so when I recently learned there was a play, adapted for the stage by the original author, I had to read it immediately.

Reading the play, I was again touched by this mysterious and beautiful story as I was in middle school, but am now burdened with questions about how it would work on stage. The story was not modified to play out organically, but instead, a narrator (or multiple narrators, it's unclear) is used to the point of excess. Narration explains and describes everything from location changes to emotions. This means none of the symbolic moments and other key details from the book are lost, but it also means the actors playing the actual characters have significantly less to do and the director and scenic designers are strictly limited in how to bring the story to life. But what a story it is...

[Marysia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply amazing. For a children’s novel to have such an emotional tole on the reader is rare, however this book manages to do so phenomenally. It’s portrayal of love and faith keeps you engaged. A must read.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the plot twist is was absolutely amazing

[Avani Tambe]

“skellig doesn’t really do much in the middle”

[Makayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need this play. I need this play in my life.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was okay. The title character, Skellig, is a mysterious figure to me even still. I liked how he was described and the protagonist's interaction with him, but the plot is sort of flat. It definitely has some good qualities to it, though, so I'd still recommend it to some middle schoolers.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the play version and watched it perform at Basingstoke Theatre in Reading, which was fantastically done. I love the mysterious idea to Skellig, and the theory that we have evolved from angels rather than apes. I now past my time looking at shoulder blades and wondering ....