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The Tale of Despereaux
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From: 4joyces at mchsi.com <4joyces>
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2004 14:35:33 +0000
If I had to choose one adjective to describe DESPEREAUX, it would certainly not be "derivative" or "sweet." When I finished the book, I thought (of Kate DiCamillo), "How brave!" She combined elements that all the children's book writing how-tos tell you NOT to use (which is why you should never listen to them): changing POV, hopping back & forth in time, intrusive narrator, etc. She obviously followed her own heart & voice, despite the fact that she was breaking established modern conventions. Nonetheless, she did, which makes her brave. And she succeeded, which, to me, makes her a greater a writer than the one who wrote WINN-DIXIE. I am reminded of the unpredictability of Natalie Babbitt, and am looking forward to DiCamillo's next!
Joyce Sidman
Received on Mon 19 Jan 2004 08:35:33 AM CST
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2004 14:35:33 +0000
If I had to choose one adjective to describe DESPEREAUX, it would certainly not be "derivative" or "sweet." When I finished the book, I thought (of Kate DiCamillo), "How brave!" She combined elements that all the children's book writing how-tos tell you NOT to use (which is why you should never listen to them): changing POV, hopping back & forth in time, intrusive narrator, etc. She obviously followed her own heart & voice, despite the fact that she was breaking established modern conventions. Nonetheless, she did, which makes her brave. And she succeeded, which, to me, makes her a greater a writer than the one who wrote WINN-DIXIE. I am reminded of the unpredictability of Natalie Babbitt, and am looking forward to DiCamillo's next!
Joyce Sidman
Received on Mon 19 Jan 2004 08:35:33 AM CST
