Into the Archive: Knock Three Times!

 

Knock Three Times! by Marion St. John Webb (1917; 1994 Reprint, Wordsworth Classics)

“Molly is desperately disappointed when, instead of the longed-for silver bangle, her Aunt Phoebe sends her a small, grey, pumpkin-shaped pincushion for her birthday. But at night, when the full moon shines, the pumpkin turns out to be a magical one. It leads Molly and her twin brother Jack into a strange land and an extraordinary quest which is by turns thrilling, chilling and hair-raising. This eerie tale of high adventure has an enduring appeal to all who love to have their blood deliciously curdled.” -From the Back Cover.

Marion St John Adcock Webb (5 December 1888 – 2 May 1930) was an English writer of novels and poetry for children. Webb wrote poems for a series of fairy books illustrated by Margaret Tarrant, with whom she worked on around 20 books. The treatment of childhood by Tarrant and Webb is now regarded as sentimentalized, typical of its time. Her work is also considered ahead of its time with entries into fantasy parallel worlds, depictions of strong female leads, and includes intense characterizations of people considered on the margins of society.” -Adapted from Wikipedia.

Bought with some of my Christmas present money, I had heard enough good things about it and it was inexpensive enough to merit giving it a try. This copy is in surprisingly good shape for a thirty year old paperback. Reminds me of the times we'd go to Walden's in San Antonio and rake through all the other reasonably priced Wordsworth Classics.