Pictures in the Dark

by Gillian Cross

Book Overview

Charlie is always trying to find unusual things to capture on camera and takes a chance photograph in the dark of something swimming in the river. He thinks he knows what it was, but no one believes... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 014038958X
• ISBN13: 9780140389586
• Release Date: July 1998
• Publisher: Puffin Books
• Length: 197 Pages
• Weight: 0.23 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 4.4" x 7.1"
• Age Range: 10 to 14 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 9

Customer Reviews

"Something Terrifying is Coming into Focus...."

The photogenic front cover of "Pictures in the Dark" was what caught my eye and made me buy the book. The story is just as good, about a young English boy named Charlie Willcox who befriends two misfit siblings at his school: Jennifer and Peter Luttrell. Of the two, Peter is the most bullied, not only at school (Charlie's cousin, Zoe, is among the bullies), but at home as well. The main reason why the kids harass him so much is because they believe he has supernatural powers, that he can harm other people just by giving them the "Evil Eye." This barrage of abuse inflicted on Peter from all sides made the book a bit depressing and dark, and I will have to say, the ending didn't exactly satisfy me in regard to Peter.It's difficult to label this book, because it's not exactly horror, suspense, or fantasy, even though the tagline on the front cover ("Something terrifying is coming into focus....") leads the reader to believe otherwise. It does almost have a vampire quality to it at times, i.e., when Peter bites Charlie, then Charlie seems to change; but I guess that was more of the animal behavior coming out in Peter than any supernatural means."Pictures in the Dark" might be a little too complex for younger readers, particularly the ending, so I'd probably recommend this book to more advanced teen readers. Some of the British vocabulary may be a bit troublesome, too, such as conker (horse chestnut) and torch (flashlight), just to name a few. But, overall, I thought "Pictures in the Dark" was well written, brisk, and vivid--though slightly strange. This book is certainly worth reading if you're into photography, since the protagonist (Charlie) is very much into this hobby and uses it skillfully throughout the book to relate to Peter and the otter both boys share a unique bond with.

COOL BOOK.

I thought this book was awesome. It depicts a whole new way of escaping from this world.....becoming an otter! Definately read this book!

WOW.

What an awesome book. Cross keeps you completely hooked until the last page. The descriptions of the charcters are so vivid and unique. Also, the suprise ending was just wonderful!! An excellent book for anyone. (I finished it in two days).

I THOUGHT THIS BOOK WAS GREAT!!!!!

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! Gillian Cross tells a great story through the eyes of Charlie, a student with a love for photography. One day he takes a startling picture and many things begin to unravel. He meets Peter Lutrell, a boy whom all of the children are afraid of. Charlie learns of the struggles Peter faces and learns to understand the differences of others. If you love to read, you will love this book as much as I did.