Ask My Shelf
Log in Register
Ask My Shelf

Share your thoughts in a quick Shelf Talk!

Earthfasts by William Mayne

In a quiet English village, a buried drum and a boy from another century disturb the present. Unsettling and atmospheric, Earthfasts tangles time, folklore, and friendship into a chilling mystery.

Have you read this book? Share what you liked (or didn’t), and we’ll use your answers to recommend your next favorite read!

Love Earthfasts but not sure what to read next?

These picks are popular with readers who enjoyed this book. Complete a quick Shelf Talk to get recommendations made just for you! Warning: possible spoilers for Earthfasts below.

In Earthfasts, did you enjoy ...

... the blend of time travel and mysterious happenings?

Tom's Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce

If you were captivated by the eerie appearance of the drummer boy and the way ancient events seep into the present in Earthfasts, you'll find Tom's Midnight Garden equally enchanting. Tom discovers a magical garden that only exists at midnight, leading him to a friendship that stretches across time and a haunting sense of history pressing into ordinary life.

... mythic undercurrents and folklore woven into everyday English life?

The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper

If you loved how Earthfasts infuses rural Yorkshire with ancient legend and supernatural forces, The Dark is Rising will sweep you away. Will Stanton discovers he's part of an age-old struggle rooted in British myth, with everyday settings transformed by mysterious and magical events.

... a loose, mysterious magic that disrupts reality?

The Owl Service by Alan Garner

If the enigmatic, undefined magic of the drummer boy and the stone in Earthfasts intrigued you, The Owl Service offers a similarly haunting experience. Garner's novel features a Welsh valley haunted by a recurring legend, where magic is never fully explained, creating an unsettling and dreamlike atmosphere.

... intimate focus on a child’s experience within a small, atmospheric setting?

The Children of Green Knowe by Lucy M. Boston

If you enjoyed following David and Keith as they explored tunnels and landscapes close to home in Earthfasts, you'll appreciate the cozy yet uncanny world of Green Knowe. Here, young Tolly discovers a mysterious old house, its history, and its ghosts—all within a tightly focused, richly described setting.

... the blending of detailed setting with a sense of history coming alive?

A Traveller in Time by Alison Uttley

If you loved how the North Yorkshire landscape and its ancient legends shape the events of Earthfasts, A Traveller in Time will transport you to a lovingly rendered English countryside. Penelope visits her relatives' farm and is drawn into the past, where real historical events and a vividly described setting make the supernatural feel tangible.

Unlock your personalized book recommendations! Just take a quick Shelf Talk for Earthfasts by William Mayne. It’s only a few questions and takes less than a minute.