Count Karlstein facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Philip Pullman |
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| Published | 1982 |
| Publisher | Chatto & Windus |
| ISBN | 9781524764999 |
Count Karlstein, or the Ride of the Demon Huntsman is an exciting adventure novel for children. It was written by the famous British author Philip Pullman and first came out in 1982. Philip Pullman actually wrote this story to be a play for students at Bishop Kirk Middle School in Oxford, where he taught English.
Contents
The Story of Count Karlstein
A Dangerous Promise
The story takes place in 1816 in a made-up Swiss village called Karlstein. The mean Count Karlstein made a secret deal with a spooky demon named Zamiel, the Demon Huntsman. To get all his money and power, the Count promised Zamiel a person on a special night called All Souls' Eve. Now, ten years later, it's time for the Count to keep his promise. He plans to offer his two young nieces, Lucy and Charlotte, to the demon!
Hildi's Brave Plan
But Count Karlstein's terrible plan doesn't stay a secret for long. Hildi Kelmar, a kind maid who works at the castle, accidentally hears his sneaky idea. She knows she has to do something to save Lucy and Charlotte from their evil uncle. Hildi quickly starts working on a plan to protect the girls.
Friends and Foes
The story follows many different characters as they try to help or stop the girls. You'll read from the point of view of Hildi, Lucy, and Charlotte themselves. Other characters include Miss Augusta Davenport, the girls' old teacher, and Max Grindoff, a clumsy coachman. A police report even helps tell part of the story!
Many people get involved, some helping the girls without even meaning to. These include Meister Haifisch, the Count's lawyer, and Doctor Cadaverezzi, a magician who isn't very good at magic. Doctor Cadaverezzi even takes Lucy in as part of his show! Eliza, Miss Davenport's helper and Max's girlfriend, also plays a part. Hildi's mother, who owns a tavern, and Hildi's brother, Peter, a hunter who is hiding from the law, also join the adventure.
The Final Showdown
Hildi works hard to hide the girls and keep them safe from the Count and his helpers, Arturo Snivelwurst (his scared servant) and Frau Muller (the castle's head servant). After many close calls and helping other people along the way, Hildi has one last hope. She sends her brother, Peter, who is a skilled hunter, to rescue the girls from a faraway hunting cabin. He has only one silver bullet.
Peter uses his special bullet before he even meets Zamiel. But the Demon Huntsman surprisingly spares Peter and the people he is protecting. Instead, Zamiel takes Count Karlstein himself! The next day, Peter wins a shooting contest and becomes the Chief Ranger of the Forest, which means he is now free from the law. Meister Haifisch arrives and shares a big secret: the real Count Karlstein is actually Max, the coachman! Max marries Eliza, and they raise Lucy and Charlotte together. In the end, Miss Augusta and Doctor Cadaverezzi (who is also known as Signor Rolipolio), who were old sweethearts, finally get back together.
