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Seedfolks
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From: Nina A Lindsay <NALINDSA>
Date: Thu, 29 May 97 14:25 CST
Paul Fleishman wrote that he was taken aback by the thought that readers would dissect his carefully constructed linear narrative. While I, too, appreiciate the linear, the fact is that many young readers *are* drawn to Fleishman's books because they *can* be deconstructed. Kids approach these books in groups -- groups that include "non-readers". Luckliy, Paul, you are such a captivating writer that kids stay with the books and, more times than not, in my experience, after reading them every-which-way, end up reading them once straight through.
Paul, I wonder how you approached the size/extent of Bull Run and Seedfolks. Both are short and concentrated. Were you tempted to go more into depth with either? With any particular characters? Did you struggle with too much/too little? They both seem like perfect portions to me. I also wonder if anyone has pointed out their similarity in construction to the work of playwright/dramatist Anna Deveare Smith, who's most recent work I believe is called "Twilight", and is a story of the LA riots through monologues. I think she achieves much the same effect in her work as you do in these two.
Nina Lindsay Vista/MacGregor Primary Albany, CA nalindsa at macc.wisc.edu
Received on Thu 29 May 1997 03:25:00 PM CDT
Date: Thu, 29 May 97 14:25 CST
Paul Fleishman wrote that he was taken aback by the thought that readers would dissect his carefully constructed linear narrative. While I, too, appreiciate the linear, the fact is that many young readers *are* drawn to Fleishman's books because they *can* be deconstructed. Kids approach these books in groups -- groups that include "non-readers". Luckliy, Paul, you are such a captivating writer that kids stay with the books and, more times than not, in my experience, after reading them every-which-way, end up reading them once straight through.
Paul, I wonder how you approached the size/extent of Bull Run and Seedfolks. Both are short and concentrated. Were you tempted to go more into depth with either? With any particular characters? Did you struggle with too much/too little? They both seem like perfect portions to me. I also wonder if anyone has pointed out their similarity in construction to the work of playwright/dramatist Anna Deveare Smith, who's most recent work I believe is called "Twilight", and is a story of the LA riots through monologues. I think she achieves much the same effect in her work as you do in these two.
Nina Lindsay Vista/MacGregor Primary Albany, CA nalindsa at macc.wisc.edu
Received on Thu 29 May 1997 03:25:00 PM CDT
