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Grace, A Parcel of Patterns, Fireweed...
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From: Ginny Moore Kruse <gmkruse>
Date: Wed, 19 May 2004 10:49:06 -0500
Three of the novels superbly crafted from historical events by Jill Paton Walsh keep coming into my mind during this discussion of Historical Fiction.
The novel "Fireweed" (U.S. ed: Farrar, 1969) takes place in 1940 in London. "Fireweed" has an immediacy rarely accomplished in an historical novel. Perhaps it's still considered to be one of the finest works of fiction written by who had heard countless first-hand accounts of the blitz from survivors.
Last summer during the SARS scare, I kept thinking about "A Parcel of Patterns" (U.S. ed: Farrar, 1983). Based in part upon various village records the author had examined, "A Parcel of Patterns" is set in the Derbyshire village of Eyam in 1665 during the time when the villagers exacted extreme measures to keep the plague at bay. Last year as I read articles about travel precautions for anyone preparing to travel to/from nations where cases of SARS had been reported, I would always think about "A Parcel of Patterns."
I've wanted to know more about Grace Darling ever since reading "Grace"
(U.S. ed: Farrar, 1992). Here the author wrote about the young woman whose involvement in the attempt to rescue sailors shipwrecked off the coast of England in 1838 completely altered her life. It's a finely honed fictional exploration of unbidden celebrity and its accompanying personal tyranny, something not uncommon during the early 21st century.
Each novel was published in a paperback edition at one time or another. I hope some middle school teachers have discovered one or more of these exemplary works of historical fiction for young readers, in that each is based upon an actual event or series of events, and - in some instances
- centered upon the lives and/or actions of actual individuals. Like Walsh's other novels, they set a standard for excellence in fiction writing rarely achieved. Note: you might find her listed under either
"Paton Walsh," or "Walsh" according to how your library, bookstore, or database has recorded this author's works for children and also for adults.
Yes, Jill Paton Walsh is the same person who has written novels with sophisticated plots for adults. She's also the author invited by the trustees of the Sayers estate to complete a Sayers' manuscript, which she did: "Thrones, Dominions" (U.S. ed: 1998). She was then encouraged by the trustees to continue writing for adults about Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane, Sayers' famous characters. Jill has excelled at this, too. Readers who've followed Jill's writing over the years are not surprised!
Cordially, Ginny
Ginny Moore Kruse gmkruse at education.wisc.edu
Received on Wed 19 May 2004 10:49:06 AM CDT
Date: Wed, 19 May 2004 10:49:06 -0500
Three of the novels superbly crafted from historical events by Jill Paton Walsh keep coming into my mind during this discussion of Historical Fiction.
The novel "Fireweed" (U.S. ed: Farrar, 1969) takes place in 1940 in London. "Fireweed" has an immediacy rarely accomplished in an historical novel. Perhaps it's still considered to be one of the finest works of fiction written by who had heard countless first-hand accounts of the blitz from survivors.
Last summer during the SARS scare, I kept thinking about "A Parcel of Patterns" (U.S. ed: Farrar, 1983). Based in part upon various village records the author had examined, "A Parcel of Patterns" is set in the Derbyshire village of Eyam in 1665 during the time when the villagers exacted extreme measures to keep the plague at bay. Last year as I read articles about travel precautions for anyone preparing to travel to/from nations where cases of SARS had been reported, I would always think about "A Parcel of Patterns."
I've wanted to know more about Grace Darling ever since reading "Grace"
(U.S. ed: Farrar, 1992). Here the author wrote about the young woman whose involvement in the attempt to rescue sailors shipwrecked off the coast of England in 1838 completely altered her life. It's a finely honed fictional exploration of unbidden celebrity and its accompanying personal tyranny, something not uncommon during the early 21st century.
Each novel was published in a paperback edition at one time or another. I hope some middle school teachers have discovered one or more of these exemplary works of historical fiction for young readers, in that each is based upon an actual event or series of events, and - in some instances
- centered upon the lives and/or actions of actual individuals. Like Walsh's other novels, they set a standard for excellence in fiction writing rarely achieved. Note: you might find her listed under either
"Paton Walsh," or "Walsh" according to how your library, bookstore, or database has recorded this author's works for children and also for adults.
Yes, Jill Paton Walsh is the same person who has written novels with sophisticated plots for adults. She's also the author invited by the trustees of the Sayers estate to complete a Sayers' manuscript, which she did: "Thrones, Dominions" (U.S. ed: 1998). She was then encouraged by the trustees to continue writing for adults about Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane, Sayers' famous characters. Jill has excelled at this, too. Readers who've followed Jill's writing over the years are not surprised!
Cordially, Ginny
Ginny Moore Kruse gmkruse at education.wisc.edu
Received on Wed 19 May 2004 10:49:06 AM CDT
