Christopher and the Clockmakers

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26857

Title

Christopher and the Clockmakers

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A heartwarming tale of a boy named Chris, who loses his formal name due to schoolyard teasing and suffers blindness from scarlet fever. His life changes when he meets Angus McPhearson, a master clockmaker who teaches him about timekeeping history. The story blends adventure with education, culminating in a surprise birthday gift: a trip across Europe to see historic clocks.

Summary up to 500 words

In Sara Ware Bassett's *Christopher and the Clockmakers*, the life of Christopher Mark Antony Burton is dramatically altered by the weight of his name and a bout of scarlet fever. At school, his lengthy christening name becomes a target for bullying, forcing him to adopt the simpler moniker 'Chris.' The tragedy deepens when the disease leaves him blind, isolating him from his peers and leaving him bored and lonely in his home in Elversham. During this difficult period, Chris finds solace in the stories of his father's clock shop, where he meets Angus McPhearson, a Scottish clockmaker who takes the boy under his wing. McPhearson introduces Chris to the rich history of horology, guiding him from ancient craftsmen like Thomas Tompion to the mechanics of modern watches. Through McPhearson's mentorship, Chris learns to appreciate the art of timekeeping and the value of craftsmanship. The narrative intertwines this educational journey with a subplot involving a diamond robbery. Chris witnesses the crime and later discovers that the thief, Stuart, has returned the stolen goods, teaching Chris a profound lesson about redemption and the capacity for change. The story reaches its emotional climax on Chris's fourteenth birthday. Initially forgotten by his busy parents, Chris feels abandoned until his father's employees surprise him with a heartfelt celebration. They present him with a gold repeater watch and announce a dream trip to Europe to visit famous clock collections. The book concludes with Chris and McPhearson embarking on their journey. They travel to Scotland, England, France, Switzerland, Germany, and Italy, exploring the beauty of the landscapes and the history of timekeeping. The story celebrates the enduring value of education, the power of friendship, and the idea that even those who feel isolated can find their place in the world through curiosity and kindness. It serves as a tribute to conscientious craftsmen whose work continues to inspire generations.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/26857.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg26857.epub

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2026-07-05 03:29 UTC

Categories

• History
• Fiction