Round the Herne

 My reading of the twelfth and final chapter of John Masefield's (1935) children's fantasy story "The Box of Delights". There are. of course, twelve chapters for the twelve days of Christmas. Here the story is tied up as Kay does his best to save the abducted cathedral staff in time for celebrating the thousandth Christmas to be held in that place. I rather like the fusing of Pagan and Christian imagery in this concluding chapter - very appropriate to the Christmas season

  My reading of the eleventh and penultimate chapter of John Masefield's (1935) children's adventure fantasy "The Box of Delights". The mad scheming of the oily Abner approach fruition and the extent of his magical powers is revealed (I could spoil a harmless children's saga by pontificating about the way in which magical and spiritual paths so often get turned to little more than money grubbing and material indulgence, but I won't do so).

  My reading of the tenth chapter of John Masefield's (1935) children's fantasy adventure "The Box of Delights". Kay finally meets the mysterious philosopher-magician Arnold of Todi and discovers more about the origins of the box.

  My Christmas Eve reading of the ninth chapter of John Masefield's (1935) children's fantasy adventure "The Box of Delights". The strange happenings continue apace with more magic from the mysterious box and revelations of who people actually are. And yes, I've had the beard trimmed by my never-less-than-entertaining barber, Charlie (who seems to be a younger incarnation of one of my oldest friends).

  My reading of the eighth chapter of John Masefield's children's fantasy "The Box of Delights" (1935). This time more mysterious shenanigans occur at the cathedral - will there be anyone left to conduct the Midnight Mass?

  My reading of the seventh chapter of John Masefield's (1935) children's fantasy adventure "The Box of Delights". Another short chapter in which the children journey inside a tree and we finally find out what happened to the thuggish Maria.

  My reading of the sixth part of John Masefield's (1935) children's fantasy adventure "The Box of Delights". A more sedate chapter this time in which the Bishop's party is spoiled by nefarious goings on at the end (and the range of children's toys was mercifully less taxing to the brain than the current nightmarish complexity).

  My reading of the fifth chapter of John Masefield's children's fantasy "The Box of Delights" (1935). The voice is still a bit rough, though better than it was. In this chapter the other powers of the box are explored to delve down into the world of the rodents. The villains continue to scheme and machinate.

  My reading of the fourth chapter of John Masefield's children's fantasy story "The Box of Delights" (1935). In this chapter our hero gets drawn into a magical woodland and experiences the power of shapeshifting - his own and other's. I shall probably re-record this on a future occasion, when my throat is less sandpapered, but wanted to crack on before the month runs out.

  My reading of the third chapter of John Masefield's (1935) children's fantasy "The Box of Delights". A new villain enters the picture and Kay has strange experiences at King Arthur's Camp - is it a dream or time travel or a vision? Only further chapters will tell. The wolves are now definitely running.

  My reading of the second chapter of John Masefield's children's fantasy story "The Box of Delights" (1935). More revelations develop about the strange old Punch & Judy man as well as some rather peculiar clergymen.

  My reading of John Masefield's first chapter of his children's book "The Box of Delights" (1935), ready for Yule 2022 - I hope to finish all the chapters before the solstice, life and technology permitting. It is a charming and festive tale, dressed about with hints of paga magic alongside Christian theology that I first encountered via the TV series some decades ago. The nook cover also features a still from the TV series featuring Patrick Trought as the old wizard Hawlings.