Uncle (1964) is a children's novel written by J. P. Martin, the first book of six forming the Uncle series.[1] It is named after the main character, a rich philanthropicelephant who lives in a huge fantastical castle populated by many other eccentric animals and people. It was illustrated, like the others in the series, by Quentin Blake.
Plot summary
A traction engine, Uncle's favourite mode of transport, as most suited to the dignity of an elephant
The book introduces the main characters in the series; Uncle, his helpers, including the Old Monkey, Cloutman, Gubbins and the One-Armed Badger, and his enemies, the Badfort crowd, including Beaver Hateman, Sigismund Hateman, Nailrod Hateman, Filljug Hateman, Jellytussle, Hootman and Hitmouse. After a series of incidents, the Badfort crowd construct a cinema with a hidden iron cage in which they trap Uncle, who is then rescued by a surprise attack by his allies.
Reprint
The book was reprinted in paperback in 2000 by Red Fox (ISBN0099411415). It was reprinted in a facsimile hardback edition by the New York Review of Books in 2007 and again in 2009 (ISBN1590172396).
