The King of the Golden River (Hardback) - John Ruskin

A classic 19th-century fairy tale gloriously illustrated by Quentin Blake.

First published in 1851, John Ruskin's Victorian story, newly illustrated by Quentin Blake, tells the tale of the Black brothers: the kind-natured 11-year old Gluck and his two nasty older brothers, Hans and Schwartz. For Gluck, play is cleaning the floors, and his education consists of a wholesome quantity of punches. One stormy evening, Gluck is left at home to prepare his older brothers' dinner when an extraordinary-looking little man knocks at the door. Having been strictly warned not to let anyone in, Gluck watches as the little old man becomes increasingly drenched at the door. His soft heart tells him to ignore his brothers' advice, and so Gluck's encounter with the mysterious King of the Golden River begins. Appearing at first as a beggar, then the Southwest Wind, and finally as a Toby jug who Gluck unwittingly transforms into a dwarf, the King of the Golden River issues Gluck with a challenge: to climb to the source of the Golden River and cast into the stream three drops of holy water. If he can achieve this, the river will turn to gold.

About the Author

John Ruskin was a 19th-century art critic, writer, painter and art collector, and a committed supporter of J.M.W. Turner and the Pre-Raphaelite group. Ruskin married Effie Gray, for whom he originally wrote The King of the Golden River. Quentin Blake is arguably the UK's most treasured illustrator and has illustrated over 300 books. Known for his collaborations with esteemed writers including Roald Dahl, John Yeoman, Michael Rosen and Russell Hoban, Blake's work is universally recognised and adored. Quentin Blake received a knighthood for his services to illustration in 2013 and in 2014 was admitted to the Legion d'honneur in France.