I'm the King of the Castle cover art

I'm the King of the Castle

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I'm the King of the Castle

By: Susan Hill
Narrated by: Paul Ansdell
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About this listen

 Charles Kingshaw and his mother have come to live with Edmund Hooper and his father ¿ in their ugly, isolated Victorian house called Warings ¿ for good. To Hooper, Kingshaw is an intruder, a boy to be subtly persecuted, and Kingshaw finds that even the most ordinary objects can be turned by his enemy into a source of terror.In Hang Wood, when they are lost, their roles are briefly reversed but Kingshaw knows that Edmund will never let him be and that he cannot win in the end. He knows it and so does Hooper. And the worst is still to come.©2005 Long Barn Books (P)2005 Long Barn Books Mystery

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This read like an excellent short story, spread out thinly to make a novel. The repeated attacks on Kingshaw become monotonous and his terror seems dull and unappealing as it reduces him to two dimensions. The eventual ending is obvious from the beginning and there is nothing substantial to dissuade the reader/listener. The climax seems to occur about half way through the book, leaving the reader simply waiting for the resolution.

However, as character portraits, and as a depiction of the interactions of pre-teens, it is practically perfect. Certainly enough for 3 stars all on its own.

Poor plot development

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A dark and broody book. I didn't know where it was heading until finally it got there all too soon.Having read other Susan Hill books i was surprised by the content and as it went on i thought it may have been a childrens book, however the reality was that this was a book about the bullies,the fears and unsureness of juveniles growing up and about the nasty relationships which are so often hidden from most of our lives.
Very enjoyable, even if the ending was a little abrupt!

strangely compelling

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This was just unremittingly miserable. Beautifully written, but what a bleak message. It made me desolate.

I usually love Susan Hill...

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Susan Hill's work has been brought to life, in every way possible, in this superb, emotionally charged reading by the narrator. The tale - already a masterpiece - has been masterfully handled here, the inflection and nuances of the storyteller have woven an evening greater atmosphere and deeply disturbing retelling. The story has resonated deeply with me, resurfacing deep, long- forgotten feelings.
Top marks.

King of the Castle, brought to life

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I first read this book as a 16 year old boy at school. It didn't really resonate with me but I knew that I would have been better off reading it as I matured. Susan Hill has an unbeatable skill of draining all hope out of the reader as she has done in many of her other books. Read it and let it stay with you. it will stay with you for a long time.

Powerful, cruel, heartbreaking and disturbing.

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I have listened and read quite a number of Susan Hill's books, mostly the Simon Serrailler ones all of which I have thoroughly enjoyed. Unfortunately I felt whilst there were excellent complexities to the characters which certainly maintained interest there seemed to be relative lack of strength to the overall storyline and conclusion.
I was tiring of the book towards the end.
I appreciate that this may only be my opinion, but that's how it is.
Do check the other Susan Hill books out, especially Woman in Black.

Somewhat disappointed

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A wretched tale in which the underdog never wins, a study in bullying and hatefulness. A sad waste of time.

Pure misery

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I usually like Susan Hills books but this one was very depressing with absolutely no cheer or hope for humanity. One good and kindly character wold have helped to keep me going but I struggled to bear the bullying and harshness the poor little central character had to experience . A cheerful listen is needed for a dose of happiness after this dirge. I kept on thinking it will end with some warmth and humanity but no...

Unrelenting Suffering and Sadness

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