Summary Of Joan Aiken's 'Searching For Summer'

Abhorrent Mr. Noakes, an antagonist in Joan Aiken’s “Searching for Summer,” frequently manifests repugnant and distasteful conduct towards others in order to fulfill his own selfish desires for prosperity. Inherently, the introductory impression of the character is one of a repulsive nature, having “a crop of stiff, greasy black hair,” (69), which would naturally deter people from wanting to associate with him. Likewise, Mr. Noakes displays rudimentary and discourteous behavior when the old Hatchings are slow to get off of the bus, “cursing irritably at the delay” (69). Concurrently, Mr. Noakes instantly changes to a more affable and amenable nature, savoring his chance to earn ready money when he realizes Tom and Lily want a room for