| Stig of the Dump | |
|---|---|
 1971 Puffin paperback edition |
|
| Author | Clive King |
| Illustrator | Edward Ardizzone |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Fantasy adventure |
| Publisher | Puffin Books |
| Publication date | 1 June 1963 |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 157 pp |
| ISBN | 9780140347241 |
Stig of the Dump is a children's novel by Clive King published in 1963. It is regarded as a modern children's classic and is often read in schools.[1] It has been twice adapted for television, in 1981 and in 2002.
Contents |
Plot summary
Stig is a caveman who lives at the bottom of the old quarry close to Barney's grandmother's house. Since the quarry is no longer in use, people throw all their rubbish away down there.
Barney finds Stig by falling through the roof of Stig's den. Barney and Stig become friends, even though they cannot talk to each other. Stig and Barney have a series of adventures together, including catching burglars breaking into Barney's grandmother's house. One night Barney and his sister Lou cannot sleep and get transported back to Stig's time where they spend a night helping his tribe complete a megalith. This may refer to Kit's Coty House, a barrow on the North Downs near Bluebell Hill in Kent, where King lived as a child.
The book is often said to be intentionally ambiguous as to whether Stig is real, or just a figment of Barney's imagination. However, as he is seen by and interacts with people other than Barney in chapters 5, 7 and 8, it's hard to justify the argument that Barney has imagined him.
Origin of the name
Stig is a common Scandinavian name, and means "path" in Swedish and Danish; the name could imply that a person is a pathfinder.[2]
Stig's name could also derive from the Norwegian word stygg, meaning "ugly".
Adaptations
Stig of the Dump was adapted for television, firstly by Thames Television for ITV in 1981[3] and later by the BBC in 2002 (starring Thomas Sangster).[4] The BBC series won the BAFTA Children's Film & Television Award and its writer, Peter Tabern, received the Best Children's Writer award. The series has been released on DVD.[5]
The book has also been adapted for the theatre, to critical acclaim.[6] Topologika Software Ltd has published an adventure game based on the first three chapters of the book, for Windows and the Mac.[7]
References
- ^ "Stig of the Dump Teacher's Resource Chris Lutrario". Whsmith.co.uk. http://www.whsmith.co.uk/CatalogAndSearch/ProductDetails-Stig+of+the+Dump+-9780439945189.html. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
- ^ "This is Your Brain on Stig". Brainofstig.ai. http://brainofstig.ai/. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
- ^ "Little Gems - Stig of the Dump". Thechestnut.com. http://www.thechestnut.com/stig.htm. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
- ^ "Derby - Around Derby - Derbyshire in TV and Film". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/derby/features/tours/location/stig_of_the_dump.shtml. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
- ^ "(UK) : Stig Of The Dump : DVD - Free Delivery". Play.com. http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/5266003/Stig-Of-The-Dump/Product.html. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
- ^ "Stig of the Dump - Tabard Theatre - Your London Reviews". IndieLondon. http://www.indielondon.co.uk/Theatre-Review/stig-of-the-dump-tabard-theatre. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
- ^ "Stig of the Dump - brings Clive King's story to life". Topologika.com. http://www.topologika.com/index.php?page=product.php&file=stig. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
External links
- Stig of the Dump at the Internet Movie Database (1981 series)
- Stig of the Dump at the Internet Movie Database (2002 series)
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