In the Keep of Time by Margaret J. Anderson

An Aesop: Surprisingly, not too many of these crop up, with the author allowing the work and its events to stand and teach lessons by example instead of being explicitly stated.After the End: It turns out the future the kids visit is this scenario, albeit one which takes place after global warming and the energy crisis instead of nuclear war.

Played straight in the present, where Aunt Grace really isn't of much help with Ollie, and the lady at the bookstore simply stands by and makes snarky commentary about the kids supposedly bullying their younger siblings instead of trying to help. Adults Are Useless: Averted in the past-the adults there aren't useless, just rather busy and distracted with important things like ambushes, invaders, and battles, so can't be bothered to pay attention much to the children.Has become something of a Cult Classic due to its age and out-of-print status. Lessons are learned, though not as many as would be expected for a children's story written in the 70's, and stronger family bonds are formed, as the children slip back and forth between the past and the present (and even the future).įor its time the writing is surprisingly good, with a great deal of research and care, believable characterization, some poignant and effective moments, humor, and an unusual approach to Time Travel that not only plays with genre tropes but leaves the reader with a slightly unsettling scenario that truly makes one think. Anderson, it tells the story of Andrew, Elinor, Ian, and Olivia ('Ollie'), and how when their parents decide to go on vacation in France and leave their children with their aged Aunt Grace in Scotland, magical adventures befall them thanks to a key and the ancient ruin of Smailholm Tower. No, this isn't The Chronicles of Narnia, despite the similarity in set-up, though it may possibly be an Homage. There, thanks to a bit of magic and the curiosity of the youngest sister, the quartet is sent through a Portal to another world, where they have all sorts of adventures. Four English children, two boys and two girls, travel to the countryside to stay with an elderly chaperone.

In the Keep of Time by Margaret J. Anderson