Peterkin

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26322

Title

Peterkin

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Mrs. Molesworth's charming tale follows the misadventures of eight-year-old Peterkin, who wanders off while driving with his mother. When he fails to return home, his siblings and nurse launch a frantic search. The story blends realistic family anxiety with the children's imaginative belief in fairies and witches, centering on their friendship with the mysterious Margaret, a girl from India who claims to be under a spell. With gentle humor and heartwarming illustrations, this classic offers a delightful mix of suspense...

Summary up to 500 words

In Mrs. Molesworth's *Peterkin*, the narrative begins with a chaotic scene in the nursery where the footboy, James, reports that Master Peterkin is missing. Peterkin had been sent home alone by his mother to avoid missing tea, but he has not returned. The household descends into panic; the younger children fear he may have been stolen or taken to prison, while the older siblings, Blanche and Clement, take charge. Clement devises a plan to search for Peterkin, suspecting he wandered into Rock Terrace to see a parrot he had been dreaming of. The boys successfully locate Peterkin at the home of Mrs. Wylie, where he is being cared for by a strange, elderly woman named Miss Bogle. Although reunited with his family, Peterkin feels ashamed. The story then shifts focus to Margaret, a new friend who lives with Miss Bogle. Margaret reveals that her parents are in India and that she is currently unhappy because Miss Bogle, a former governess, treats her like a prisoner. Margaret believes Miss Bogle is a witch who has bewitched her and the house's parrot. She explains that she cannot leave until her grandfather returns from France, fearing she will be turned into an animal if she stays too long. The children, particularly Peterkin and the narrator, become deeply involved in Margaret's plight. They believe her stories about the witch and the enchanted parrot, planning a rescue mission to help her escape Miss Bogle's control. The narrative explores the children's imaginative world where fairy tales and reality blur, yet it is grounded in the genuine affection and loyalty of the siblings. The story concludes with the revelation that the "witch" plot was largely a misunderstanding or a game. The mystery is resolved when it is explained that Margaret's grandfather, a General, had to leave suddenly for business in France while Margaret was ill. He arranged for Miss Bogle to care for her, though he forbade her from making friends outside the house until he returned. The adults had initially decided to hide Margaret's existence from the children to avoid confusion, a decision they later regretted. Once the truth is known, the children are allowed to visit Margaret, resolving the mystery and bringing a sense of peace to the household.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Children's Fiction
• Adventure fiction
• Family Fiction