The Iron Man

First published in 1968 Ted Hughes's The Iron Man is now back in the shops with wonderfully dark and sinister illustrations by Tom Gauld that will rouse many young people to read the tale that inspired them. And what a tale it is!

The Iron Man is a metal giant, taller than a house, with footprints as large as a single bed, who suddenly arrives on the edge of a cliff. No one knows where he has come from or how or by whom he has been made. At first the farming community are reluctant to believe Hogarth, the young lad, who is first to see him. That attitude soon changes when The Iron Man proceeds to eat anything that is made of metal including most of the farming machinery.

Yet even when trapped underground The Metal Man re-emerges to once more terrify the countryside and is only satisfied with his lot when young Hogarth comes up with a brilliant plan.

All is not peaceful for long. A terrible dragon from space lands on Australia and threatens all living things with extinction. Can the Iron Man suddenly become human-friendly and save the world?

The Iron Man, one of the great, modern myths creations for young readers, has been perhaps overshadowed by recent darker, longer tales but time has in no way diminished the brilliance of this book with its sparse poetic style and pulsating action.

The Iron Man by Ted Hughes Illustrated by Tom Gauld from Faber and Faber €7.30 Ages 9 to 12

Tony Hickey