Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
The House With a Clock In Its Walls summary
John Bellairs
Brief summary
The House With a Clock In Its Walls is a captivating tale of magic and mystery. When young Lewis Barnavelt goes to live with his eccentric uncle, he discovers a world of enchantment and danger within the walls of their creaky old house.
Topics
Table of Contents
The House With a Clock In Its Walls
Summary of key ideas
The Beginning of an Unusual Journey
In The House With a Clock In Its Walls by John Bellairs, we are introduced to Lewis Barnavelt, a ten-year-old boy who has recently lost his parents in a car accident. He moves to New Zebedee, Michigan, to live with his eccentric uncle, Jonathan Barnavelt, who lives in a mysterious old house. The house, Lewis soon discovers, is filled with hidden passageways, secret rooms, and a ticking clock that seems to be counting down to something ominous.
Jonathan, a kind-hearted but unconventional man, reveals to Lewis that he is a warlock, and his neighbor, Mrs. Florence Zimmermann, is a powerful witch. Lewis is both fascinated and terrified by this revelation, but he soon finds himself drawn into the world of magic. He begins to learn the basics of magic from his uncle and Mrs. Zimmermann, and even starts to perform simple spells himself.
Uncovering Dark Secrets
As Lewis becomes more comfortable with the idea of magic, he starts to explore the house on his own. In one of his explorations, he stumbles upon a book that belonged to Isaac Izard, the previous owner of the house. The book contains dark spells and incantations, and Lewis realizes that Izard was a sinister figure who intended to bring about the end of the world.
Jonathan and Mrs. Zimmermann confirm Lewis's suspicions and reveal that the ticking clock in the walls was created by Izard and his wife, Selenna, to trigger the apocalypse. The trio then embarks on a quest to find the clock and prevent the catastrophic event. Along the way, they encounter various magical creatures and face numerous challenges, including a terrifying encounter with the ghost of Selenna Izard.
A Race Against Time
As the clock's countdown accelerates, the urgency of their mission becomes increasingly apparent. They learn that the only way to stop the clock is to find the hidden magical object that powers it. With time running out, Lewis, Jonathan, and Mrs. Zimmermann race against the clock, quite literally, to locate the object and save the world from destruction.
Their search leads them to a series of dangerous encounters, including a confrontation with a demonic creature and a perilous journey through a magical forest. Despite the odds stacked against them, the trio remains determined to succeed, driven by their sense of responsibility and their growing bond as a makeshift family.
The Final Showdown
In the climactic final act of The House With a Clock In Its Walls, Lewis and his companions finally locate the hidden object that powers the clock. They engage in a fierce battle with the malevolent forces that guard it, using all their magical skills and knowledge to overcome the obstacles. In a heart-stopping moment, Lewis manages to destroy the object, stopping the clock and averting the apocalypse.
With the world saved, the trio returns to the house, exhausted but triumphant. They may have prevented the end of the world, but they know that their adventures are far from over. As the story ends, Lewis reflects on the strange and wonderful world of magic he has become a part of, and the new family he has found in his uncle and Mrs. Zimmermann.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is The House With a Clock In Its Walls about?
The House With a Clock In Its Walls is a captivating fantasy novel by John Bellairs. It tells the story of a young orphan named Lewis who goes to live with his eccentric uncle in a mysterious old house. As Lewis uncovers the house's dark secrets, he discovers a hidden clock that could bring about the end of the world. Filled with magic, mystery, and adventure, this book is perfect for readers of all ages.
The House With a Clock In Its Walls Review
The House With a Clock In Its Walls (1973) by John Bellairs is a captivating and intriguing book that is definitely worth reading. Here's why:
- With its perfect blend of mystery, fantasy, and adventure, the story keeps readers hooked from beginning to end.
- The book explores the theme of magic in ordinary life, making it relatable and enchanting for readers of all ages.
- Through its vivid descriptions and well-developed characters, the book creates a world that is rich in atmosphere and easy to immerse oneself in.
Who should read The House With a Clock In Its Walls?
- Readers who enjoy dark and magical stories
- People looking for a spooky and entertaining read
- Those who appreciate a blend of fantasy, mystery, and horror
Categories with The House With a Clock In Its Walls
Book summaries like The House With a Clock In Its Walls
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
32 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
The House With a Clock In Its Walls FAQs
What is the main message of The House With a Clock In Its Walls?
The main message of The House With a Clock In Its Walls is the power of friendship and the triumph of good over evil.
How long does it take to read The House With a Clock In Its Walls?
The reading time for The House With a Clock In Its Walls can vary, but it typically takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The House With a Clock In Its Walls a good book? Is it worth reading?
The House With a Clock In Its Walls is an enchanting read that combines mystery, magic, and adventure. It's definitely worth reading!
Who is the author of The House With a Clock In Its Walls?
John Bellairs is the author of The House With a Clock In Its Walls.
What to read after The House With a Clock In Its Walls?
If you're wondering what to read next after The House With a Clock In Its Walls, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Where Good Ideas Come From by Steven Johnson
- The Art Of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau
- A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink
- Theory U by C. Otto Scharmer
- The Design of Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman
- The Innovator ’s Dilemma# by Clayton M. Christensen
- The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
- Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull with Amy Wallace
- Think Like a Freak by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
- The Laws of Simplicity by John Maeda