The Castle of Yew

by Lucy M. Boston, Margery Gill (Illustrator)

Joseph is sucked into a yew bush and shrinks in size. Inside he is discovered by the Castle's owner, and together they face adventures.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Childrens, Animals, Gardening

77 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

Lucy M. Boston (1892–1990), born Lucy Maria Wood, was an English novelist who wrote for children and adults, publishing her work entirely after the age of 60. She is best known for her "Green Knowe" series: six low fantasy children's novels published by Faber between 1954 and 1976. The setting is Green Knowe, an old country manor house based on Boston's Cambridgeshire home at Hemingford Grey. For the fourth book in the series, A Stranger at Green Knowe (1961), she won the annual Carnegie Medal from the Library Association, recognising the year's best children's book by a British subject.[1]

During her long life, she distinguished herself as a writer, mainly of children’s books, and as the creator of a magical garden. She was also an accomplished artist who had studied drawing and painting in Vienna, and a needlewoman who produced a series of patchworks.

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this short book you can see the beginning of ideas for the children of green knowe which is our favourite book of all time. There are lovely illustrations by Margery Gill, insultingly the cover you see on this review has been replaced by a really awful one for the young puffin edition, it's so sad when they do that, I couldn't bring myself to add that one so have chosen the one with the origional Margery Gill cover.

Two boys find themselves in an elderly lady's garden, this is clearly Mrs Oldknowe/Lucy Boston and clearly the Green Knowe/ Hemingford Grey. When they are invited to explore the garden they come across a discarded chess set made from yew. Using their imagination they enter a yew castle where they are subjected to the perils and fun of being mouse sized.

My son read this to himself when younger and enjoyed it tremendously, my daughter didn't get around to reading it to herself so I read it to her. She didn't enjoy it as much as her brother.

An enjoyable read, especially for those who love nature, make believe and being outdoors.

[Alwynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although it doesn't have quite the magic or the charm of Lucy Boston’s wonderful The Children of Green Knowe this slightly disjointed novella has its moments. In a variation on a fairy tale, a young boy wanders into a mysterious woman’s garden and suddenly finds himself small enough for a strawberry to look like a large red melon. He makes a friend, plays at being a knight inside a castle made from yew and has a narrow escape from a gargantuan cat. Like the Green Knowe books the setting for this is based on Boston’s English country house and carefully-tended gardens, and it’s probably most memorable for its detailed depiction of the flowers and animals found there. Margery Gill’s extensive, evocative black-and-white illustrations work brilliantly with Boston’s writing.

[Mathew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet short story set in the grounds of The Manor. Joseph decides to visit a garden whose river has always attracted his attention. When he goes in and meets the owner, an elderly lady, she invites him to explore the grounds. In doing so, Joseph finds himself shrunk so small that the world becomes large and dangerous yet utterly beautiful too. This may be a story of adventure and boys playing at knights but it is also a rather exquisite celebration of the beauty of the natural world.

[Wendi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book for young readers, written by the author of the Green Knowe books.
Two boys enter a magic garden - its owner describes it as, "like a long book. You never know what you will find on the other side of the page's- and have various adventures and narrow escapes.

The garden belongs to a mysterious little old lady. "She did not look like a witch. She was bent and crumpled and hair like white straw, and her legs were as thin as a robin's. She did not look tricky, or spiteful, or dangerous, but there was something about her that made Joseph anxious to be very polite."

It is a short, quick book to read. It carries something of the quiet, mysterious air of Green Knowe. A keeper.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

This brief chapter book from the author of the classic Green Knowe Chronicles follows a young boy as he explores an enchanted garden. "You can go anywhere you want, if you really want to," the little old lady with the beautiful, young voice tells Joseph, and sure enough, he finds himself transformed...

While not one of Boston's more memorable books, The Castle of Yew provides an enjoyable read, and is a far more intelligent story for this age level than many of the chapter books currently being published. There is nothing cutesy here, and the author never speaks down to her audience. It is worth noting that this book is exceptional, among Boston's work, for being one of her only titles not illustrated by her son, Peter Boston. The many black and white drawings here are provided by the marvelous Margery Gill, whose illustrations have graced the works of Ruth M. Arthur, Susan Cooper, and Rosalie Fry.

[Stef Rozitis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book. I used to wish things like this would happen to me. It's an easy, short read for young readers who like fantasy and magic. It has enough conflict and excitement to be worth reading but it has a feelgood tone to it throughout. No darkness whatsoever which is unfashionable but as refreshing as a jug of lemon and mint infused iced tea.

[Cynthia Egbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yesterday, as we were looking at some old photos, my son remarked at how he missed the days when he was little and there was far less technology. He has no idea what life with far less technology really means but my own imaginative wanderings as a child have come to my mind as I am reading these books by L. M. Boston. This book is a precursor to the Children of Green Knowe series and it is pure delight. This is what a boy's day should look like. What a grand adventure. One review of this book asked if it were magic or imagination. My answer is simply, yes!

[Chris Browning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Less of a novel than a vignette: it’s strange, eerie and beautifully told but rather insubstantial. But then again I partly assume that was the aim all along

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet magical adventure.

[Melissa]

The fantasy story is compelling, though quiet. What struck me was the misery and isolation of the boy who finds the possibility of happiness and a place where he is recognized and valued in the magical yew. I could be entirely wrong but I felt that there was an subtext of the boy being gay and feeling out of place in a ruthless world, his captivation by the competent boy in the yew felt driven by something more that the spirit of adventure. Nothing wrong with that, and a story that would resonate with many kids who wish for an alternate, better place. (i.e. pretty much all of us.)

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a lovely tale of two boys' adventure in a magical garden. What can happen when you can go anywhere in the garden, if you want to? With nuts, a yew castle, blackbirds, a yew knight and a dog, all sorts can happen.

A delightfully written adventure.

[DocNora · Rating 4 out of 5]

On an admin day and this was a perfect short read to accompany my lunch! Clearly written for the very young...but sometimes these enchanting tales are just what we adults need. I loved her Green Knowe series.

[Adelaide Metzger · Rating 4 out of 5]

One favorite childhood books ever!

[Clare Trowell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as lovely as the stories about Tolly and Ping but still a charming short story for kids - set in my favourite village