I still don't really like the images of the villagers who try to destroy him, or the people of the world who enlist his help in getting rid of the space-bat-angel-dragon, but they're again depicted on some well planned pages, with folds that open out, holes within the paper that reveal more and more as you read, and a huge fold-out spread at the end. His shadowy presence looms over the pages and he becomes, somehow, endearing.

I mostly liked the images of the Iron Man. However, going back again to the book later I found there was a certain charm to them, and although they seem a bit scrappy there's actually a lot of thought that has been put into each image, tying it to the text and even in parts illustrating the text itself. The colours are very industrial, which I suppose ties in with the story, but I felt disappointed that they weren't more special - I'd hoped for huge space-bat-angel-dragon pictures, and more colour and drama.

They're very simplified, stylised images which at times looked very basic - too simple and childish - for my liking. I have to say that on first reading I wasn't overwhelmed. The language makes it a joy to read aloud, but it also works perfectly as a story to be read alone by a confident reader.Ī key part of this new edition are the illustrations by Laura Carlin. All the separate pieces tumbled, scattered, crashing, bumping, clanging, down on to the rocky beach far below. I love how poetic the language feels, for example as Hughes describes the Iron Man falling apart His great iron ears fell off and his eyes fell out. At other times it feels like some sort of folklore fairytale, with the space-bat-angel-dragon threatening the world, and the people of the world relying on the Iron Man's bravery and intelligence in thwarting him. At times it feels like science fiction this strange, enormous metal man who falls off a cliff, breaking into pieces and then slowly puts himself back together, his hand crawling around looking for his eye, then searching for the rest of his body piece by piece. I first read this book many years ago at Primary school, and it hasn't lost any of its charm over the years. There is such style to his writing, a wonderful rhythm and lyrical feel, and he creates a clever mix of emotions about the Iron Man who is both terrifying and yet also, somehow, fragile. I love the beginning of The Iron Man where Hughes writes The Iron Man came to the top of the cliff.

You may or may not like the pictures, but the story is, as it always was, superb. Summary: This classic children's sci-fi fairytale has been updated with new, stylised illustrations.

The iron man ted hughes pictures