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Book of Coupons: A Word from the Editor
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From: Ginny Moore Kruse <gmkruse>
Date: Wed, 27 Mar 2002 08:29:29 -0600
Just an impromptu word from the editor: I am home on maternity leave with a three-and-a-half week old . . . but I wanted to take a quick moment to say thanks to the academy for picking Book of Coupons for a batchelder Honor. Some of the reviews were, um, LOUSY so I was surprised to hear the news when it happened. Unlike Arthur's heartfelt description of how important he feels it is to help reveal what's important in the literature of other cultures, I simply have a love for Susie Morgenstern's writing--and I don't feel it truly fits into the same catgeory--that is to say--a true example of literature from a foreign culture.
You can see just from the tone of Susie's letter to CCBC that she's very much an American in France--not really a foreigner. What's so fantastic about reading her in French is that you can feel the American coming out in all of her attitudes and especially her unique and surprising sense of humor. She combines sensitivity and depth with lighthearted humor in a way few American writers do. It's the French and the American--a terrific combo. (The one I compare her to here is Tomie dePaola in his Fairmount Avenue books.) Anyway, the point I am trying to make about Susie and about Book of Coupons is that we Americans get a treat when we read the American translation because it's as if the book is "coming home"--as if America raised this girl, Susie, sent her to France, where she became a writer--combining the best of both cultures--and then we brought the work back and had it translated to Susie's first language. But she helps in the whole proecess! We do it together--and she's always willing to take my suggestions! That's the BEST! Anyway, it's such a treat to help her bring this cross-cultural hybrid to her home country. Am I rambling? Sorry.
About the story itself, what can one say? Susie takes a funny, thoughtful idea from her own life (as she described) and turns it into a story that makes an important point, but with HUMOR and LOVE! That's why her books are not only poignant but always funny.
Jill Davis Viking
Received on Wed 27 Mar 2002 08:29:29 AM CST
Date: Wed, 27 Mar 2002 08:29:29 -0600
Just an impromptu word from the editor: I am home on maternity leave with a three-and-a-half week old . . . but I wanted to take a quick moment to say thanks to the academy for picking Book of Coupons for a batchelder Honor. Some of the reviews were, um, LOUSY so I was surprised to hear the news when it happened. Unlike Arthur's heartfelt description of how important he feels it is to help reveal what's important in the literature of other cultures, I simply have a love for Susie Morgenstern's writing--and I don't feel it truly fits into the same catgeory--that is to say--a true example of literature from a foreign culture.
You can see just from the tone of Susie's letter to CCBC that she's very much an American in France--not really a foreigner. What's so fantastic about reading her in French is that you can feel the American coming out in all of her attitudes and especially her unique and surprising sense of humor. She combines sensitivity and depth with lighthearted humor in a way few American writers do. It's the French and the American--a terrific combo. (The one I compare her to here is Tomie dePaola in his Fairmount Avenue books.) Anyway, the point I am trying to make about Susie and about Book of Coupons is that we Americans get a treat when we read the American translation because it's as if the book is "coming home"--as if America raised this girl, Susie, sent her to France, where she became a writer--combining the best of both cultures--and then we brought the work back and had it translated to Susie's first language. But she helps in the whole proecess! We do it together--and she's always willing to take my suggestions! That's the BEST! Anyway, it's such a treat to help her bring this cross-cultural hybrid to her home country. Am I rambling? Sorry.
About the story itself, what can one say? Susie takes a funny, thoughtful idea from her own life (as she described) and turns it into a story that makes an important point, but with HUMOR and LOVE! That's why her books are not only poignant but always funny.
Jill Davis Viking
Received on Wed 27 Mar 2002 08:29:29 AM CST
