The House with a Clock in Its Walls Audiobook By John Bellairs cover art

The House with a Clock in Its Walls

 Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 months free
Try for $0.00
Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.

The House with a Clock in Its Walls

By: John Bellairs
Narrated by: George Guidall
Try for $0.00

$0.00/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $11.17

Buy for $11.17

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

A haunting gothic tale by master mystery writer John Bellairs - soon to be a major motion picture starring Cate Blanchett and Jack Black!

When Lewis Barnavelt, an orphan, comes to stay with his Uncle Jonathan, he expects to meet an ordinary person. But he is wrong. Uncle Jonathan and his next-door neighbor, Mrs. Zimmermann, are both witches! Lewis is thrilled. At first, watching magic is enough. Then Lewis experiments with magic himself and unknowingly resurrects the former owner of the house: a woman named Serenna Izard. It seems that Serenna and her husband built a timepiece into the walls - a clock that could obliterate humankind. And only the Barnavelts can stop it!

©1973 John Bellairs (P)1992 Recorded Books, LLC Fantasy & Magic Fiction Literature & Fiction Mysteries Mystery & Suspense Scary Stories Science Fiction & Fantasy Scary Fantasy Magic Witchcraft Funny Feel-Good Magic Users

Critic reviews

"The House with a Clock in Its Walls will cast its spell for a long time." (The New York Times Book Review)
Vivid Descriptions • Whimsical Magic • Expressive Narration • Atmospheric Storytelling • Relatable Protagonist
Highly rated for:
All stars
Most relevant  

What did you love best about The House with a Clock in Its Walls?

I read this series when I was little & really identified with Lewis, being a less than athletic fat kid myself. He's flawed, but tries to do the right thing, even when He's scared, which is rare for the hero of any book, let alone one for young readers.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The House with a Clock in Its Walls?

The many spooky supernatural elements will stay with you.

Which character – as performed by George Guidall – was your favorite?

Uncle Johnathan really comes across perfectly. A kind but blustery man who wants to make sure Lewis has a safe home.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I think the one for the actual film soon to be released is "can you hear the ticking?" I might have gone with "Each tick of the clock brings the world closer to its doom!"

Any additional comments?

All the books by this author are very well done, but for this series things really become "perfect" when Rose Rita is introduced in the second book. The 4 lead characters balance each other out, but you need to read this book first because it establishes the world.

A formerly unknown classic.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Great book! Much better than the movie!!!
I absolutely recommend this to anyone who likes a good read/listen!

Better than the movie!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Great narrator, great storyline, especially around Halloween! Scary but not frightening and good characterization. Will re-listen.

Very Entertaining

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
sadly this is the first time I preferred the movie over the book. I figured there would be some differences but not to the point of me not liking the book.

disappointed

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I managed to get through the book, but I was yawning all the time. I don't know exactly what was wrong. The story just didn't do anything for me...

Boring

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I really enjoy the narrator! I've always enjoyed books by John Bellairs but Mr. Guidall's voice talent adds another layer to the exciting stories!

Great narration!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This a good read for any age range,fun story light hearted and well read! boom!

great Book!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Nothing special as a story; would not have ordered it if it hadn't been a movie .
I had liked the movie promos, but didn't see the movie. I think it was probably better as a movie than a book.

Good Movie?

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
very enjoyable. my husband and I listen when we are in the car traveling. This one was interesting and we were able to finish it in a few short trips.

really enjoyed it

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I'm not sure how I missed this book when I was a kid. Maybe the cover picture was too scary. The release of the new movie made me curious though, so I decided to listen to it. This is a good story for middle grade or older elementary kids. Just scary enough. It wouldn't be suitable for younger children though because it does deal with bringing at least one dead person back to life, and that might be a bit much for younger readers to process or deal with. But as an adult, a quick, easy, enjoyable listen. Enough to convince me that I'll watch the movie, but I won't take my 7-year-old grand-daughter :)

Scary Story for Middle Grade Kids

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews