The Monsters of Morley Manor

The Monsters of Morley Manor (sometimes subtitled A Madcap Adventure) is a children's fantasy/sci-fi/horror novel written by Bruce Coville, published in 2001. While it combines many different genres in an unconventional manner, its premise is reminiscent of classic spooky haunted-house stories for children. It was originally serialized in Bruce Coville's series of short story anthologies. For example, one chapter of the story introduces aliens into the plot, and that chapter was published in Bruce Coville's Book of Aliens II. Another chapter features ghosts and was published in Bruce Coville's Book of Ghosts II. An article in Horn Book Magazine mentioned the book as part of a "developing undercurrent of fantastical humor" following the success of Harry Potter.[1]

The story follows that of sixth-grader Anthony and his little sister Sarah. They discover some small figurines of monsters (such as a werewolf, a medusa, and other familiar creatures) in an old abandoned house. But when the figures get wet, they come to life, and later grow to life-size. The boy and other children join them on a quest involving aliens, angels, and ghosts.

The book won a WMLA Sasquatch Reading Award.[2]

Plot

Anothy and his sister find a box with toy figurines that come to life. They venture into the spirit world and are enslaved by Flinduvians by putting them in a dead corpse of one of their people. The Flinduvians take over the universe and turn everyone into Flinduvian slaves

Audio book

Full Cast Audio released the book on CD and on audio cassette, with Bruce Coville as the voice of Gaspar. Director Daniel Bostick voiced several characters, and eleven other voice actors took on the roles of the remaining characters. It was produced by Daniel and Bostick.

References

  1. ↑ Campbell, Patty (2002). "The Sand in the Oyster: YA Scorecard 2001". Horn Book Magazine (Boston). LXXVIII (1): 118. ISSN 0018-5078.
  2. ↑ "Past Winners of the Sasquatch Reading Award". Washington Library Media Association. 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-01.

Text

1. Coville, Bruce. (2001). The Monsters of Morley Manor. Magic Carpet Books. Paperback: ISBN 0-15-204705-0

External links