CCBC-Net Archives
Back to The Thief Lord
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: Connie Rockman <connie.rock>
Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2003 18:13:49 -0500
From Sue's post: I don't think that independence of thought is an attribute that develops with age. I know lots of children who think more independently than lots of adults I know. They're less invested in certain beliefs -- perhaps because they've spent less time/energy espousing them, perhaps because they experience their own lives/who they are (or might be) as up for grabs in ways that most adults don't.
. . . And isn't that exactly what makes The Thief Lord such a wonderfully satisfying read? Each of the well?veloped child characters do exhibit independence of thought and don't mimic their parents or relatives . . . with the poignant exception of Prosper, who heads for Venice like a homing pigeon with Bo when their mother dies to be in the city she loved - but of course refuses to go along with the wishes of his unpleasant aunt.
I've just experienced the book through the excellent Listening Library audio version, in which Simon Jones puts every ounce of suspense and humor into his narration. I agree with Melody that the book falls under the heading of "magical realism" - which I take to mean writing that uses the metaphor of magical happenings (as do many folk tales and legends) to underscore the vagaries of human nature, while the story remains rooted in the "real" world. Fantasy involves other worlds Neverlands, Narnias, etc. - and the magic is prevalent throughout the story, while magical realism stays in the here and now, with very few elements of "magic." David Almond's and Alice Hoffman's books fall into this category as well.
The Thief Lord, for me, recalled works as varied as Oliver Twist, Peter Pan, and Midsummer Night's Dream, yet is as fresh and creative as Harry Potter. It's a delicious farce, right until the very last line, which made me laugh out loud as I had throughout the story. Masterful plotting, rich characterization, and, as someone else said, a setting that becomes another character itself - like Rowling, Funke has the ability to interweave suspense and humor in a mixture that is very satisfying. And each of the characters gets either what they want or what they deserve - whether that result is accomplished by interactions with others or with some magical element. And that provides the reader with a satisfying escape as well as an occasional "aha!" about human nature. What better antidote to the depressing state of the world - at least it was for me!
Connie Rockman Stratford, CT
Received on Sat 22 Mar 2003 05:13:49 PM CST
Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2003 18:13:49 -0500
From Sue's post: I don't think that independence of thought is an attribute that develops with age. I know lots of children who think more independently than lots of adults I know. They're less invested in certain beliefs -- perhaps because they've spent less time/energy espousing them, perhaps because they experience their own lives/who they are (or might be) as up for grabs in ways that most adults don't.
. . . And isn't that exactly what makes The Thief Lord such a wonderfully satisfying read? Each of the well?veloped child characters do exhibit independence of thought and don't mimic their parents or relatives . . . with the poignant exception of Prosper, who heads for Venice like a homing pigeon with Bo when their mother dies to be in the city she loved - but of course refuses to go along with the wishes of his unpleasant aunt.
I've just experienced the book through the excellent Listening Library audio version, in which Simon Jones puts every ounce of suspense and humor into his narration. I agree with Melody that the book falls under the heading of "magical realism" - which I take to mean writing that uses the metaphor of magical happenings (as do many folk tales and legends) to underscore the vagaries of human nature, while the story remains rooted in the "real" world. Fantasy involves other worlds Neverlands, Narnias, etc. - and the magic is prevalent throughout the story, while magical realism stays in the here and now, with very few elements of "magic." David Almond's and Alice Hoffman's books fall into this category as well.
The Thief Lord, for me, recalled works as varied as Oliver Twist, Peter Pan, and Midsummer Night's Dream, yet is as fresh and creative as Harry Potter. It's a delicious farce, right until the very last line, which made me laugh out loud as I had throughout the story. Masterful plotting, rich characterization, and, as someone else said, a setting that becomes another character itself - like Rowling, Funke has the ability to interweave suspense and humor in a mixture that is very satisfying. And each of the characters gets either what they want or what they deserve - whether that result is accomplished by interactions with others or with some magical element. And that provides the reader with a satisfying escape as well as an occasional "aha!" about human nature. What better antidote to the depressing state of the world - at least it was for me!
Connie Rockman Stratford, CT
Received on Sat 22 Mar 2003 05:13:49 PM CST
