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Whirligig
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From: Anne Strauss <anne>
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 16:14:24 +0400
This is my first time writing on the CCBC-net, so I'll introduce myself. I am a writer, an instructor of children's lit, a parent, and a friend of the CCBC.
My response to Whirligig is that I admire it, but I don't particularly enjoy it. I see Whirligig as an intricately wrought piece of thinking, but not a good story to which I can react emotionally. (Kind of like Einstein's theory of relativity) I think it is beautifully crafted. For me, the form and content enhance each other and clarify each other elegantly. I didn't get the bit about Hercules at all, and never would have, although I do see it now that it is pointed out to me. Clever!
After I read it the first time, I thought I didn't like it, but then I couldn't stop thinking about it. I marvel at the complexity and interconnectedness of the elements of the book, and the depth of meaning that I found in the symbolism, themes, characters, non-linear-ness. Anything that makes me think is, at least in part, good (by my definition). I realized this, but still didn't like the book.
My usual response to Fleischman's work is instant adoration, so I was puzzled as to why he would make the characters so superficial and shallow. Brent reminded me of Danielle in A Fate Totally Worse than Death, who is supposed to be shallow. I also found the plot to be unbelievably unbelievable. And I couldn't swallow the bit about Brent learning to use the tools so fast, not having a problem with lugging all that lumber around on a bus, and other practical considerations. Now, I understand that it wasn't supposed to be realistic, and I feel a bit sheepish at underestimating it at first. And I wonder how many fifteen-year-olds will get it.
To continue the music metaphor, I have a tape of some Buddhist monks who can sing two notes at the same time. It sounds like a duet between a bee-hive and a refrigerator. I played the tape for my friend, who said
"That's really cool! Too bad it doesn't sound good"
Anne Strauss anne at q7.com
Received on Wed 14 Oct 1998 07:14:24 AM CDT
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 16:14:24 +0400
This is my first time writing on the CCBC-net, so I'll introduce myself. I am a writer, an instructor of children's lit, a parent, and a friend of the CCBC.
My response to Whirligig is that I admire it, but I don't particularly enjoy it. I see Whirligig as an intricately wrought piece of thinking, but not a good story to which I can react emotionally. (Kind of like Einstein's theory of relativity) I think it is beautifully crafted. For me, the form and content enhance each other and clarify each other elegantly. I didn't get the bit about Hercules at all, and never would have, although I do see it now that it is pointed out to me. Clever!
After I read it the first time, I thought I didn't like it, but then I couldn't stop thinking about it. I marvel at the complexity and interconnectedness of the elements of the book, and the depth of meaning that I found in the symbolism, themes, characters, non-linear-ness. Anything that makes me think is, at least in part, good (by my definition). I realized this, but still didn't like the book.
My usual response to Fleischman's work is instant adoration, so I was puzzled as to why he would make the characters so superficial and shallow. Brent reminded me of Danielle in A Fate Totally Worse than Death, who is supposed to be shallow. I also found the plot to be unbelievably unbelievable. And I couldn't swallow the bit about Brent learning to use the tools so fast, not having a problem with lugging all that lumber around on a bus, and other practical considerations. Now, I understand that it wasn't supposed to be realistic, and I feel a bit sheepish at underestimating it at first. And I wonder how many fifteen-year-olds will get it.
To continue the music metaphor, I have a tape of some Buddhist monks who can sing two notes at the same time. It sounds like a duet between a bee-hive and a refrigerator. I played the tape for my friend, who said
"That's really cool! Too bad it doesn't sound good"
Anne Strauss anne at q7.com
Received on Wed 14 Oct 1998 07:14:24 AM CDT
