"The Magic Bedknob" is a children's fantasy novel written by Mary Norton. It was first published in 1945 and tells the story of three children named Carey, Charles, and Paul. The story begins when the children are sent to live in the countryside with their aunt and uncle during World War II. They quickly become bored and long for excitement. One day, while exploring the attic, they discover an old bedknob that has magical powers. When the children twist the bedknob, the bed begins to levitate and they are transported to different locations and time periods.
The first book, The Magic Bedknob, was very short, barely more than a long picture book, published during WWII. (In fact, it was published first in the U.S., probably due to wartime shortages of paper and personnel in the U.K.) Mary Norton was unknown and unpublished at the time, and it was not a particularly original book in terms of plot. One gets the impression that it was pushed through into publication with scarce resources to keep wartime spirits up. (A similar oddity is The Magic Door, 1943, which was written by a soldier on active duty, mailed back to England, badly illustrated by his wife, and published with seriously inadequate editing.) What The Magic Bedknob does have, though, is a sense of humor, and a distinctive grounding in a time and a place.
They go on only two adventures in this first book, both lifted straight from Nesbit s oeuvre the first is a wish to see their mother they have been sent away from London during the bombing , which results in a standard magic-creates-awkwardness-with-grownups adventure; the second is a trip to a South Pacific island with cannibals. As they help her back to her house, Paul lets slip that he s been watching Miss Price practice flying on her broom at night, and that falling off her broomstick not her bike is why she s now injured.
When the children twist the bedknob, the bed begins to levitate and they are transported to different locations and time periods. They embark on various adventures, meeting magical creatures and encountering dangerous situations. Throughout their journey, the children learn valuable lessons about friendship, bravery, and the importance of family.
The Magic Bed-Knob: Charming, old-fashioned, and not much like the Disney movie
I was a child when I first saw Disney’s 1971 movie Bedknobs and Broomsticks and have fond memories of it. So when I found out that the book that inspired the movie, Mary Norton’s The Magic Bed-Knob (1943), was nominated this year for a 1944 Retro Hugo award, I was excited to read it. It’s charming and old-fashioned … but not everything I had hoped for. Also, it’s not much like the Disney movie, which is both a positive and a negative thing.
During the London Blitz, three siblings ― Carey (“about your age”), Charles (“a little younger”) and Paul (“only six”) ― are sent to Bedfordshire to stay with their Aunt Beatrice. (Tangentially, it’s worth noting that in recent editions of The Magic Bed-Knob, all references to the war have been redacted, perhaps in an effort to make the story less tied to a particular era.) One day the children find their very proper neighbor, Miss Price, has fallen and hurt her ankle. As they help her back to her house, Paul lets slip that he’s been watching Miss Price practice flying on her broom at night, and that falling off her broomstick ― not her bike ― is why she’s now injured. She’s a newbie witch, it turns out, and is learning her craft through a correspondence course.
Miss Price is appalled that her secret’s been found out by the children, and is almost ready to cast a spell that will silence them permanently (perhaps by changing them into frogs, which she temporarily does to Paul). But the children manage to convince her to bribe them into keeping her secret instead. So Miss Price casts a spell on a bed-knob that Paul is conveniently carrying in his pocket. If they twist the knob when it’s attached to the bed and make a wish, the bed will (almost) instantly fly to where they wish. Or, as it turns out, where Paul wishes, since it’s his bed and bed-knob. Paul’s older siblings are a bit appalled, but Paul himself is ecstatic.
The Magic Bed-Knob is rather dated, as might be expected from a children’s fantasy published in 1943, but still retains much of its old-fashioned charm. The interactions between the three children are realistic, particularly with Carey and Charles treating Paul rather dismissively because he’s several years younger. Paul is resentful of this treatment, which makes the fact that he’s the only one who can work the bed-knob magic so much sweeter to him. Miss Price, interestingly, is shown to have some struggles with the kind side of her nature vs. the wicked streak that the study of witchcraft apparently brings out in her.
I’ll admit to some disappointment that the talking animals and the uproarious soccer game on the magical island of Naboombu in the Disney movie wasn’t in the original book; instead we have a rather mundane, boring trip to their closed-up home in London and a less boring but somewhat wince-inducing run-in with stereotypical cannibals on the island of Ueepe. How Carey immediately identifies the natives as cannibals after a single glanced is never explained, but the correctness of that assumption never comes into question. The Star of Astaroth never makes an appearance, but we do get an extended run-in with the London police.
The Magic Bed-Knob has limited creativity and lacks much of the excitement of modern children’s fantasy, but there’s a sweetness at its heart.
“Keep your warm hearts, your gentleness, and your courage. These will do,” said Miss Price, sniffing audibly, “just as well as magic.”
Recommended for fans of old-fashioned children’s fantasy.
Published in 1943. Night time travels lead these children into all sorts of unexpected adventures, from London to the Island of Ueepe in the distant South Seas.
They also discover that their actions have consequences and must learn to think before using their new-found powers. "The Magic Bedknob" is a charming and imaginative tale that captivates readers of all ages. It explores themes of escapism, imagination, and the power of belief. Norton's prose is engaging and filled with vivid descriptions that bring the magical world to life. The novel also touches on the challenges faced by children during war times, as the siblings are separated from their parents and must adapt to a new life. However, the magical adventures they embark on provide them with a much-needed escape from the harsh realities of their situation. Overall, "The Magic Bedknob" is a delightful and enchanting read that sparks the imagination and reminds readers of the joy and wonder of childhood. It is a timeless classic that continues to capture the hearts of readers around the world..
Reviews for "The Bedknob: A Gateway to Extraordinary Realms"
1. Jennifer - 1 star
I found "The Magic Bedknob" to be a poorly written and uninteresting book. The characters lacked depth and the plot was predictable. The magical elements felt forced and didn't add anything substantial to the story. Overall, I was disappointed and would not recommend this book.
2. Mike - 2 stars
"The Magic Bedknob" had potential, but it fell short for me. The writing style was difficult to follow, and the pacing was inconsistent. The main characters, Carey, Charles, and Paul, were not very likable or relatable. The adventures they embarked on felt forced and lacked excitement. I struggled to stay engaged throughout the book and was ultimately left feeling unsatisfied.
3. Samantha - 2 stars
I had high expectations for "The Magic Bedknob" given its reputation, but I was left underwhelmed. The story lacked depth and the dialogue felt flat. The magical elements seemed arbitrary and didn't integrate well into the overall plot. The pacing was slow, making it difficult to stay invested in the story. Unfortunately, this book did not live up to its potential for me.