Discussion : Arthur Ness and the Secret of Waterwhistle Part 1

So, we have had our first book discussion session and it certainly was lively!

In attendance were Jacob, Ben, Cai and Vinnie. Sadly, Finlay couldn't make it this time but I'm sure he'll be back next time around.

A quick summary of the plot;

Arthur Ness - a young boy who is very scared of everything - is evacuated from wartime London to the Nottinghamshire village of Waterwhistle.

Things don't immediately improve for Arthur, though, as the lady he is moved in with - Lady Eris - turns out to be an evil witch who has imprisoned the village in a cloak of fear and polices it with fearsome creatures called Yarnbulls.

These huge, minotaur-like beasts remain invisible to the villagers as long as they are kept afraid. Any sign of bravery and the Yarnbulls attack and abduct you. If this is the case, then, how is it that Arthur - the most scared person in the world - can see the creatures?

Perhaps the talking cat will shed some light on matters...

So, what did the group think of the book?

As there was a lot of 'healthily enthusiastic chatter' from everyone, I wasn't able to record exactly who said what - but perhaps each of you can recognise your comments below! I have reproduced what was said as close to word-for-word as possible. Some of your thoughts were very interesting indeed!

When you've finished reading, please leave some comments by clicking the link which helpfully has the word 'COMMENTS' in it.

So, on we go...!

NAME ONE THING YOU LIKED ABOUT THE BOOK

New ideas like the Yarnbulls

Arthur talking to Sam (a young Waterwhistle boy who can also see the Yarnbulls). Sam is pretending not to see the massive Yarnbull standing over them and Arthur can hear its breathing and snorting and wondering what is making the noise...

The unexpected twists through the story. Also how some things were introduced and didn't make full sense straight away but all came together in the end.

The creative ideas in the book. Also, the cliffhanger ending (really want to know what happens next!)

DID THE COVER / TITLE GIVE AN ACCURATE IDEA OF THE STYLE OF THE STORY?

Yes. It made you think of action and pirates and things. It made you think that the Cat was in control of the ships. Or in control of something at least.

The  big silhouette of the Cat made you realise he was important and his long shadow give the idea that there was going to be mystery and action.

WAS THE BOOK CONFUSING IN ANY WAY? STORY / CHARACTERS / LAYOUT?

Yes, there were a few confusing things. It jumped around a bit with the bits in boxes. At first, it wasn't clear what they were about - but eventually, you realised they were flashbacks that were related to what was happening at that point.

It was really good when the bits you thought were confusing suddenly made sense but perhaps it would be better if they had made sense from the beginning.

WHO WAS YOUR FAVOURITE CHARACTER AND WHY?

The Yarnbulls - because they are so huge but are grown from tiny seeds. It's amazing to think of an entire being coming out of a tiny seed!

The Cat - he started the entire adventure off and he convinced Arthur to do all kinds of things he didn't think he could do.

Stick (he is a barman who works for a supporting character. Stick is only in the book for a very short time) - Stick is just... Stick! He is very unusual.

Lady Eris - from the minute she arrives, she is mysterious. She has a scary aura about her that you know means trouble. And when you didn't want her to be anywhere nearby, you'd turn around and she would be right there.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ARTHUR FELT ABOUT ARILON? WHY DID THE STORY SEND HIM TO SUCH A DANGEROUS PLACE?

He had to go there to battle his fears. It made it more exciting and upped the stakes. If he didn't go, he would always have been scared of things. But if he battled his fears, he would become braver.

IF YOU WERE MAKING AN 'ARTHUR NESS MOVIE', WHICH ACTORS OR CHARACTERS FROM OTHER FILMS WOULD YOU CAST?

Professor McGonagall (from Harry Potter) as Lady Eris
Vic Reeves as Captain Thrace
Bob Mortimer as Stick

DID THE BOOK MAKE YOU THINK ABOUT ANYTHING YOU DIDN'T KNOW / REALISE BEFORE?

Even though Arthur was scared, he did lots of really scary things (like climbing out of his bedroom window, escaping from Yarnbulls and flying pirate ships).

It makes you think that people who are scared the most can be the greatest warriors

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE CLIFFHANGER? WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN IN PART 2?

The Needlemen capture the Cat and Arthur has to get him back.

Arthur will find a way to destroy the Needlemen (maybe a really obvious way that he knew all along)

Arthur will defeat the Needlemen and they will salute him. He will become their leader and then leader of the world. But Waterwhistle will get even worse.

Arthur becomes the replacement for Lady Eris.

Lady Eris will overtake and replace the Queen.


SUMMARY

Some very interesting and insightful comments there - well done and thanks very much, fellas. Before we go, however, here are some ratings from each of you (1 being the lowest and 3 being the highest);

BEN
Amount of Action : 2 (there was action but quite a lot of talking as well)
Humour : 2
Scariness : 1 (more exciting than actually scary)
Overall : 2

CAI
Amount of Action : 3
Humour : 2
Scariness : 1
Overall : 2.76

JACOB
Amount of Action : 2
Humour : 2
Scariness : 2
Overall : 2.75

VINNIE
Amount of Action : 3 (you actually said 4..!)
Humour : 1 (it's more of a serious tension drama - which is better than humour)
Scariness : 2
Overall : 6 (yes, out of 3!)

Thanks again guys, it was a most enjoyable and enlightening evening..!

I will try and sort you out with copies of Part 2 but they are currently sold out so will need to get more printed. I will also very soon ask for your votes for the next book from our list!

Until next time!

Wilf