CCBC-Net Archives
Kit's Wilderness
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: Megan Schliesman <Schliesman>
Date: Thu, 27 Jul 2000 09:16:39 -0500
In his interview with Michael Thorn on the ACHUKA web site, at one point David Almond said about the images of dark and light in Kit's Wilderness:
"The best images/metaphors arise organically and almost
unconsciously. As I wrote, I did realise that the pits
that riddled the landscape were perfect for the dark/light
conflict, but I simply allowed the story to develop as
it did. I knew that at some point Kit would have to
answer Askew's call and travel into the dark. I was aware
as I wrote that Grandpa and Allie were forces of light,
that they would help Kit to resist Askew's darkness. I was
also aware of the massive power of the ancient light/dark
conflict and writing the final third of the book frightened
and exhausted me."
I am astounded by his success in writing of that ancient conflict as it plays out in the present time in a way that leaves readers
(speaking at least for myself) feeling not only hopeful, but renewed. First in Skellig, then in Kit's Wilderness, I was in awe not only of the technical proficiency of Almond as a writer that many have already commented on--his ability to plot and characterize, to use imagery and symbolism--and not only of the grace and beauty of his prose, but also of the spirituality of his work--a spirituality that
(for me) transcends any religion and simply and powerfully affirms life and hope. It is affirmed in the history of humans as they lived in one place over thousands of years--a grand and sweeping arc difficult to fully imagine (and yet here we are today); it is affirmed in acts of friendship and love as simple and profound as the bond between a boy and his grandfather or uneasy acquaintances who move toward friendship; and it is affirmed in the power of the arts--writing, drawing, drama.
And as it all plays out, Kit's Wilderness is a novel that is rich with elements for readers to discover and make meaning of on their own. That, perhaps, more than anything, is what I appreciate the most about this novel.
What do you appreciate about Kit's Wilderness? What meaning(s) do you make of it?
Megan
Megan Schliesman, Librarian Cooperative Children's Book Center School of Education UW-Madison 608&2?03 schliesman at education.wisc.edu
Received on Thu 27 Jul 2000 09:16:39 AM CDT
Date: Thu, 27 Jul 2000 09:16:39 -0500
In his interview with Michael Thorn on the ACHUKA web site, at one point David Almond said about the images of dark and light in Kit's Wilderness:
"The best images/metaphors arise organically and almost
unconsciously. As I wrote, I did realise that the pits
that riddled the landscape were perfect for the dark/light
conflict, but I simply allowed the story to develop as
it did. I knew that at some point Kit would have to
answer Askew's call and travel into the dark. I was aware
as I wrote that Grandpa and Allie were forces of light,
that they would help Kit to resist Askew's darkness. I was
also aware of the massive power of the ancient light/dark
conflict and writing the final third of the book frightened
and exhausted me."
I am astounded by his success in writing of that ancient conflict as it plays out in the present time in a way that leaves readers
(speaking at least for myself) feeling not only hopeful, but renewed. First in Skellig, then in Kit's Wilderness, I was in awe not only of the technical proficiency of Almond as a writer that many have already commented on--his ability to plot and characterize, to use imagery and symbolism--and not only of the grace and beauty of his prose, but also of the spirituality of his work--a spirituality that
(for me) transcends any religion and simply and powerfully affirms life and hope. It is affirmed in the history of humans as they lived in one place over thousands of years--a grand and sweeping arc difficult to fully imagine (and yet here we are today); it is affirmed in acts of friendship and love as simple and profound as the bond between a boy and his grandfather or uneasy acquaintances who move toward friendship; and it is affirmed in the power of the arts--writing, drawing, drama.
And as it all plays out, Kit's Wilderness is a novel that is rich with elements for readers to discover and make meaning of on their own. That, perhaps, more than anything, is what I appreciate the most about this novel.
What do you appreciate about Kit's Wilderness? What meaning(s) do you make of it?
Megan
Megan Schliesman, Librarian Cooperative Children's Book Center School of Education UW-Madison 608&2?03 schliesman at education.wisc.edu
Received on Thu 27 Jul 2000 09:16:39 AM CDT
