What do you think?
Rate this book
The Battle for Gullywith
A stone army, an enchanted castle, mysterious ancient powers - and some very clever tortoises - Olly finds there's more than meets the eye at Gullywith.
When his family moves to Gullywith Farm in the Lake District, Olly just can't imagine being happy in his new home. Gullywith is the coldest house in the world, and no one has lived there for years.
Then Olly meets KK, and she tells him locals won't go near the place. It does seem to be jinxed - the roof falls in, walls collapse but even more strangely, Olly notices that there are stones at Gullywith that can move around of their own accord - stones with ancient markings on them. He feels sure that they are angry about something. KK takes Olly to see the mysterious Nonny Dreever to ask his advice, and he tells them they must return the stones to Withern Mere.
As they search for the answer to Gullywith's secret, Olly is drawn into a world of myth, magic, and midnight adventure deep inside the surrounding hills. What is the ancient power that controls the stones and can anything be done to end their hold over Gullywith?
Susan Hill deftly weaves a tale of real life and enchantment to delight young readers.
When his family moves to Gullywith Farm in the Lake District, Olly just can't imagine being happy in his new home. Gullywith is the coldest house in the world, and no one has lived there for years.
Then Olly meets KK, and she tells him locals won't go near the place. It does seem to be jinxed - the roof falls in, walls collapse but even more strangely, Olly notices that there are stones at Gullywith that can move around of their own accord - stones with ancient markings on them. He feels sure that they are angry about something. KK takes Olly to see the mysterious Nonny Dreever to ask his advice, and he tells them they must return the stones to Withern Mere.
As they search for the answer to Gullywith's secret, Olly is drawn into a world of myth, magic, and midnight adventure deep inside the surrounding hills. What is the ancient power that controls the stones and can anything be done to end their hold over Gullywith?
Susan Hill deftly weaves a tale of real life and enchantment to delight young readers.
313 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
154 people want to read
About the author
Susan Hill
180 books2,272 followersSusan Hill was born in Scarborough, North Yorkshire in 1942. Her hometown was later referred to in her novel A Change for the Better (1969) and some short stories especially "Cockles and Mussels".
She attended Scarborough Convent School, where she became interested in theatre and literature. Her family left Scarborough in 1958 and moved to Coventry where her father worked in car and aircraft factories. Hill states that she attended a girls’ grammar school, Barr's Hill. Her fellow pupils included Jennifer Page, the first Chief Executive of the Millennium Dome. At Barrs Hill she took A levels in English, French, History and Latin, proceeding to an English degree at King's College London. By this time she had already written her first novel, The Enclosure which was published by Hutchinson in her first year at university. The novel was criticised by The Daily Mail for its sexual content, with the suggestion that writing in this style was unsuitable for a "schoolgirl".
Her next novel Gentleman and Ladies was published in 1968. This was followed in quick succession by A Change for the Better, I'm the King of the Castle, The Albatross and other stories, Strange Meeting, The Bird of Night, A Bit of Singing and Dancing and In the Springtime of Year, all written and published between 1968 and 1974.
In 1975 she married Shakespeare scholar Stanley Wells and they moved to Stratford upon Avon. Their first daughter, Jessica, was born in 1977 and their second daughter, Clemency, was born in 1985. Hill has recently founded her own publishing company, Long Barn Books, which has published one work of fiction per year.
Librarian's Note: There is more than one author by this name.
She attended Scarborough Convent School, where she became interested in theatre and literature. Her family left Scarborough in 1958 and moved to Coventry where her father worked in car and aircraft factories. Hill states that she attended a girls’ grammar school, Barr's Hill. Her fellow pupils included Jennifer Page, the first Chief Executive of the Millennium Dome. At Barrs Hill she took A levels in English, French, History and Latin, proceeding to an English degree at King's College London. By this time she had already written her first novel, The Enclosure which was published by Hutchinson in her first year at university. The novel was criticised by The Daily Mail for its sexual content, with the suggestion that writing in this style was unsuitable for a "schoolgirl".
Her next novel Gentleman and Ladies was published in 1968. This was followed in quick succession by A Change for the Better, I'm the King of the Castle, The Albatross and other stories, Strange Meeting, The Bird of Night, A Bit of Singing and Dancing and In the Springtime of Year, all written and published between 1968 and 1974.
In 1975 she married Shakespeare scholar Stanley Wells and they moved to Stratford upon Avon. Their first daughter, Jessica, was born in 1977 and their second daughter, Clemency, was born in 1985. Hill has recently founded her own publishing company, Long Barn Books, which has published one work of fiction per year.
Librarian's Note: There is more than one author by this name.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 11, 2025
A Batalha de Gullywith, de Susan Hill
Comecei a ler este livro há alguns anos, com a intenção de incentivar o meu filho, que na altura andava no 7.º ano, a ganhar gosto pela leitura. Lemos juntos os primeiros capítulos, mas infelizmente não consegui que ele se deixasse levar sozinho pelo resto da história. Acabei por o deixar de lado… até que, há dias, o reencontrei enquanto arrumava as estantes. Resolvi finalmente terminá-lo.
A Batalha de Gullywith é claramente uma história pensada para um público juvenil, mas isso não a torna menos interessante para um leitor adulto à procura de uma leitura leve e criativa. Tem mistério, reviravoltas e aquele toque de fantasia que nos transporta para um mundo diferente, onde o estranho e o mágico se misturam com o quotidiano. É divertido, intrigante e com personagens curiosas que nos fazem querer chegar ao fim.
Não cumpriu o objetivo inicial de transformar o meu filho num leitor entusiasmado, mas acabou por me oferecer um bom momento de escape e nostalgia. Uma leitura simpática, ideal para jovens aventureiros (ou adultos com alma de criança).
Comecei a ler este livro há alguns anos, com a intenção de incentivar o meu filho, que na altura andava no 7.º ano, a ganhar gosto pela leitura. Lemos juntos os primeiros capítulos, mas infelizmente não consegui que ele se deixasse levar sozinho pelo resto da história. Acabei por o deixar de lado… até que, há dias, o reencontrei enquanto arrumava as estantes. Resolvi finalmente terminá-lo.
A Batalha de Gullywith é claramente uma história pensada para um público juvenil, mas isso não a torna menos interessante para um leitor adulto à procura de uma leitura leve e criativa. Tem mistério, reviravoltas e aquele toque de fantasia que nos transporta para um mundo diferente, onde o estranho e o mágico se misturam com o quotidiano. É divertido, intrigante e com personagens curiosas que nos fazem querer chegar ao fim.
Não cumpriu o objetivo inicial de transformar o meu filho num leitor entusiasmado, mas acabou por me oferecer um bom momento de escape e nostalgia. Uma leitura simpática, ideal para jovens aventureiros (ou adultos com alma de criança).
February 22, 2019
interesting kids fantasy - parallel read with eldest who enjoyed more
young boy moved with family to rural farmhouse and into a historical supernatural feud
hints of complexity in adult world, and in parent's relationship - but not developed
felt like a series of fantastical set-pieces, but broadly unrelated and ultimately the climax
young boy moved with family to rural farmhouse and into a historical supernatural feud
hints of complexity in adult world, and in parent's relationship - but not developed
felt like a series of fantastical set-pieces, but broadly unrelated and ultimately the climax
October 23, 2020
My 10 year old grandsons will enjoy this one. Written in best Enid Blyton style, Susan Hill's story has secret tunnels, crystal caves, children doing daring things, a touch of magic and hey presto, you've finished before you've started.
Olly and his family have moved from the city to Gullywith, a decrepit stone house in the country that seems about to collapse. Here he makes friends with the fearless KK and rescues the house from the evil stones. No spoilers though. Find out for yourself how he manages it.
Olly and his family have moved from the city to Gullywith, a decrepit stone house in the country that seems about to collapse. Here he makes friends with the fearless KK and rescues the house from the evil stones. No spoilers though. Find out for yourself how he manages it.
January 20, 2025
I really enjoyed this book because it was well written and had a really good storyline. I really liked the characters and felt they were believable and likeable. I did like the fact that Mervyn became good friends with Olly and wasn't so bad by the end of the book. I also liked the use of bats and tortoises as they are not often used as helpers. They fit really well with the story.
A definite recommendation.
A definite recommendation.
June 19, 2018
I read this book mainly because I was really bored and I just happened to come across is, but it actually turned out be alright though it's definitely more of a children's book.
July 3, 2021
Um livro escrito para jovens mas que eu li já adulta e gostei bastante.
July 14, 2022
Als Kinderbuch ganz süß, allerdings nicht so mein Geschmack
January 29, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed it. Was particularly impressed by the ending, which gave a different spin to the usual fantasy big Battle finale.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2011
It's overall story/feeling/wording was akin, for me, to 'Whispering To Witches'
(by Anna Dale, John Curless). Another little known/sadly overlooked lovely story for young minds.
A good story in the sense that it was filled out/meaty enough to keep me (my adult mind) interested. Unlike the first 'Children of the Lamp' book which I am afraid I may not be able to continue reading because of it's juvenile simplicity. Note: I am aware I am reading literature written FOR children. *wink*. (Children Of The Lamp - Book One, The Akhenaten Adventure
by P.B. Kerr)
A positive overall feeling in the sense that from beginning to end it was realistic enough to not be all candy and spice, but relatable as well as a lovely story/lesson/ideal in the end (an end that is unusual but extremely wise in it's solving of a problem(s). Something we, in real life, should probably consider more often as a way to resolve a conflict. This alone made a distinctly positive impression. I remember thinking "I would want my kid to read this.")
Playful wording laid out like visual design. (This reference because I am a graphic designer by trade.) The author decorated/made patterns with words, the repetition of in certain banter between characters as well as maintaining certain ones as key in recurring descriptions.
This story was also ripe for expansion. There was not an explanation of all things that seemed interestingly unusual (and there were many). It could have been a much longer, richer story had we been given the explanations, or how's & why's, of many things/people/events. As I read I subdued my curiosities by imagining them included in further stories. That is what I mean by "ripe for expansion". As if the author didn't reveal all in order to show us more later. Or perhaps there wasn't more in the author's mind. These unusual things could have been just the surface of ideas, enough to make up a story. But do I hope Susan Hill chooses to give us more, or held back... Because sometimes the slow reveal, instead of trying to give us everything crammed into one small story, is more tantalizing.
(by Anna Dale, John Curless). Another little known/sadly overlooked lovely story for young minds.
A good story in the sense that it was filled out/meaty enough to keep me (my adult mind) interested. Unlike the first 'Children of the Lamp' book which I am afraid I may not be able to continue reading because of it's juvenile simplicity. Note: I am aware I am reading literature written FOR children. *wink*. (Children Of The Lamp - Book One, The Akhenaten Adventure
by P.B. Kerr)
A positive overall feeling in the sense that from beginning to end it was realistic enough to not be all candy and spice, but relatable as well as a lovely story/lesson/ideal in the end (an end that is unusual but extremely wise in it's solving of a problem(s). Something we, in real life, should probably consider more often as a way to resolve a conflict. This alone made a distinctly positive impression. I remember thinking "I would want my kid to read this.")
Playful wording laid out like visual design. (This reference because I am a graphic designer by trade.) The author decorated/made patterns with words, the repetition of in certain banter between characters as well as maintaining certain ones as key in recurring descriptions.
This story was also ripe for expansion. There was not an explanation of all things that seemed interestingly unusual (and there were many). It could have been a much longer, richer story had we been given the explanations, or how's & why's, of many things/people/events. As I read I subdued my curiosities by imagining them included in further stories. That is what I mean by "ripe for expansion". As if the author didn't reveal all in order to show us more later. Or perhaps there wasn't more in the author's mind. These unusual things could have been just the surface of ideas, enough to make up a story. But do I hope Susan Hill chooses to give us more, or held back... Because sometimes the slow reveal, instead of trying to give us everything crammed into one small story, is more tantalizing.
October 29, 2012
This has become my night listen. I loved the story but I believe it becomes 100% better when the author reads it. she has such great character in her voice and a soothing English quality as well. I love my audible account and I play this book most every night to go to sleep with...and to date I haven't grown tired of it. If you are thinking of reading this, I would suggest getting the audio version read by Susan Hill..it definitely makes the story. Also, if you've already read the book I would urge you to get the audio version and give it another try. I would bet your rating of the book would gain a star or two. I have once again in life come to enjoy someone read me a bedtime story...lol..and this is perfect for that! enjoy!
November 2, 2009
The beginning of this story really drew me in. Any story set in England with kids tends to spark off memories of childhood. This started off well. Olly and his family move to Gullywith farm, they want a new begining. Things start to get a little strange when stones start appearing. Olly is set to look into it with the help of KK, a strange local girl and some eccentric local characters.
I did like the bookshop and the bookshop owner and some of the other pieces but the story just didn't flow right for me and the ending left me unsatisfied. There was potential there that just wasn't used and it left me feeling like I had missed something somewhere in the story.
I did like the bookshop and the bookshop owner and some of the other pieces but the story just didn't flow right for me and the ending left me unsatisfied. There was potential there that just wasn't used and it left me feeling like I had missed something somewhere in the story.
January 19, 2013
Confesso que estava à espera de mais, parti com expectativas demasiado altas para a leitura deste livro... Ainda assim, é uma boa história para as camadas mais jovens, envolvendo magia, mistério e aventura relacionado com umas inscrições numas pequenas pedras aparentemente mágicas e a descoberta do seu significado por uma criança de 10 anos, Oliver e dos seus companheiros KK - uma rapariga misteriosa - e Nonny Dreever.
August 2, 2017
2.5* ish.
there were parts of this book that were enjoyable but then there were very long drawn out sections. Susan seemed to drop a couple of characters about a 1/3 of the way in then randomly included them again. over all there wasn't a lot about this book that I found very boring, if I'm honest I think it put in a but of a slump. maybe if I was younger I may have enjoyed it more, I don't think I will read anything else by Susan Hill I don't enjoy her writing style.
there were parts of this book that were enjoyable but then there were very long drawn out sections. Susan seemed to drop a couple of characters about a 1/3 of the way in then randomly included them again. over all there wasn't a lot about this book that I found very boring, if I'm honest I think it put in a but of a slump. maybe if I was younger I may have enjoyed it more, I don't think I will read anything else by Susan Hill I don't enjoy her writing style.
October 28, 2010
this book was ok but I just got bored. It was quite goodish but I couldn't see the magic in stones that move by them selves.
October 4, 2018
So far its so good i cant put it down.......
December 30, 2012
Great family book. I think young readers will especially enjoy the magic of the tortoises! I want to read it to my class.
January 10, 2013
enjoyed this as it reminded me of Susan Cooper The Dark is Rising books I loved as a child.
February 18, 2013
I loved this book although the ending was a little sudden. Magic and mystery and adventure all combine to make this a cracking story.
December 6, 2013
I found this book quite addictive, i could not put it down, but felt it was more of a teenagers book but still enjoyed it immensely.
September 19, 2015
i couldn't finish it because i got so bored.. maybe it's too childish for me, but i didn't enjoy it at all
April 15, 2025
An easy book to read with a good story. Loved KK.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews