Under the Mountain

By Maurice Gee

I'm not a fan. I'm really not a fan. I just don't know yet whether I'm not a fan of science fiction or just not a fan of Maurice Gee in particular. I found the whole premise outrageous, but then its science fiction, perhaps that's the point. But giant worms, good grief! I understand that it is a New Zealand children's classic that has appeared in study units over the years, but what I don't understand is, why?
I have not read any other Maurice Gee so I don't want to judge the author too harshly but suffice to say that, in my opinion, Under the Mountain is not worth a look unless, for some reason you have been force-ably required to by some curriculum or other.
Its the story of two twins that communicate with aliens from another time, another world, who have been conscripted by a 'watcher' to, literally, save the world from giant worms who are eating it from the inside-out. But I return to my orginal point: giant worms, good grief!

Leave a comment and tell me about the books you've had to read in school.

Synopsis

Beneath the extinct volcanoes surrounding the city, giant creaturesare waking from a spellbound sleep that has lasted thousands of years. Their goal is the destruction of the world.
Rachel and Theo Matheson are twins. Apart from having red hair there is nothing remarkable about them - or so they think. They are horrified to discover that they have a strange and awesome destiny. Only the Matheson twins can save the world from the terror of what is under the mountain.

Author

The Big Season(1962)
A Special Flower (1965)
In My Father's Den (1972)
Glorious Morning Comrade (1975)
Games of Choice (1976)
Plumb (1978)
Under the Mountain (1979)
The World Around the Corner (1980)
Meg (1981)
The Halfmen of O (1982)
Sole Survivor (1983)
The Priests of Ferris (1984)
Motherstone (1985)
The Fire-Raiser (1986)
Collected Short Stories (1986)
Prowlers (1987)