Antonia Barber

Antonia Barber (1932–2020) was a British children's author best known for The Ghosts (published in the US as The Amazing Mr Blunden), which was adapted into a beloved 1972 film and a 2021 remake. She was also the author of The Mousehole Cat, one of the most popular children's picture books of the twentieth century. The Amazing Mr Blunden is a time-travel ghost story for children, in which two children in a decaying English country house are visited by a mysterious old lawyer who sends them back in time to save two children from a terrible fate. The novel combines atmospheric gothic storytelling with genuine warmth and moral seriousness. Barber's audiobooks and books continue to enchant listeners and readers. The Amazing Mr Blunden appeals to children who love ghost stories with heart, and to adults who remember it from their own childhood with deep affection.