From: Melody Allen <melodyan>
Date: Wed, 17 Feb 1999 08:21:48 -0500

First of all, the jacket flap refers to the book as "darkly humorous," so that's where that got started. Is it true? Kids take life very seriously underneath all their covers, and to me one of the brilliant features of this book is that lots of kids as teens feel they have a curse on them - not only in the sense that bad things keep happening to them, but also in the sense that they don't have control over things (and are pleased to place blame outside of themselves). Stanley learns to take responsibility and turns his life around, i.e. lifts the curse.

I also appreciate that there are two "leavings." First, and most obvious, is the start where he makes the break from family and home so necessary for growing up and goes to the camp. Later, he leaves the camp and crosses that endless open space and to a certain extent leaves reality and enters an almost fantasy world. As in many good fantasies, he finds a garden in which to rest and renew himself after a struggle, and then returns home (to camp and to his family) with lessons learned and maturity gained. Not only do all the plot elements come together, but the book fits the classic form which is why it feels so satisfying (to me) at then end.

As to the reality/fantasy/folklore mix, I would compare this book to Woman in the Wall.

Melody Allen Melodyan at lori.state.ri.us
Received on Wed 17 Feb 1999 07:21:48 AM CST