Well, let me tell ya ’bout this fella, Leon Garfield. Don’t know much ’bout fancy writin’ and all that, but I know what I like. This Leon fella, he wrote stories, lots of ’em, for young’uns and grown-ups too.
Now, they say he was born a long time ago, back in 1921, and kicked the bucket in 1996. That’s a good long life, wouldn’t ya say? He weren’t no spring chicken when he passed, that’s for sure. They call him a “British writer of fiction.” Sounds mighty fancy, but it just means he made up stories. Made-up stories, but good ones, mind you.
He wrote all sorts of books, more than thirty they say. Lots of ’em were ’bout history, you know, kings and queens and stuff from way back when. He even wrote stories from that Shakespeare fella, the one who talked all funny. They put them stories on the TV, them cartoons, ya know? Bet them were somethin’ to see.
- He wrote one called “Jack Holborn,” about pirates I reckon.
- Then there’s “Devil-in-the-Fog,” which sounds spooky.
- And “Smith,” guess that’s ’bout a fella named Smith. Plain name, but maybe the story ain’t.
This Leon, he liked to write ’bout the olden days, like the 1700s and 1800s. I guess he liked them fancy clothes and horse-drawn carriages. Me, I prefer a good truck, but to each their own, I always say.
They say his books are for children, but I reckon grown-ups can like ’em too. Good stories are good stories, no matter how old you are. Someone said they first found his stories at the library or school, so I guess that’s where the young’uns get their hands on ’em. That person sure liked his stories, said he was a good writer.
He even won some prizes for his writin’. Got one called the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize for that “Devil-in-the-Fog” book. See, even the fancy folks thought he was good. That prize thing was a big deal, they say. Started in the same year he won, fancy that.
Now, this Leon fella, he didn’t always live in the same place. They say he didn’t always live in a place called Highgate. Moved around a bit, I guess. Just like me, I ain’t always lived here neither. Folks move around, that’s life.
They say Leon was a “writer’s writer.” Now, I ain’t rightly sure what that means, but it sounds like other writers thought he was real good. Like, he knew what he was doin’ with them words and all. Knew how to tell a story, that’s what matters.
Some of them books, they made ’em into movies or TV shows. “Devil-in-the-Fog” and “Smith” were on TV, and that “Strange Affair of Adelaide Harris” turned into a whole six-part somethin’. Musta been good stories if they put ’em on the screen for everyone to see. I like a good show myself, especially on a cold night.
So, that’s what I know ’bout this Leon Garfield fella. He wrote stories, lots of ’em, and folks liked ’em. He wrote ’bout history and made up some good characters. Won prizes and even got his stories on TV. Sounds like he did alright for himself, this Leon Garfield. A good writer, they say, and I reckon they’re right. A good story is a good story, plain and simple.
Tags：Leon Garfield, Children’s Literature, Historical Novels, British Writer, Shakespeare Stories, Devil-in-the-Fog, Jack Holborn, Smith, Author, Book Awards
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