A short book, it is easily read in one sitting. Much happens in that sitting and one is not
bored during it! It was suggested as an
adult book even though the story is told from the perspective of a seven year
old little boy. Did all the things
actually happen or are they the memories of a lonely little boy who had no one
show up for his birthday party?
The book begins with the child returning to his childhood
home/neighborhood to speak at and attend a funeral. Whose funeral is not
particularly clear but definitely a family member and not his sister. Even as an adult he is a lonely man. He does all he is supposed to do and keeps to
himself. He prefers books to most people and loves kittens. Sounds near
perfect! Herein lies some of the secrets
and twists that make the novel a fun read.
He recalls receiving a copy of C.S. Lewis’ Narnia around his seventh
birthday. He also loved comic books like
most little boys. The two things
together give us the action, adventure, spirit filled alter world of Lettie
Hempstock and our narrator. A bit of
research led to the discovery that the author put much of himself into the
book. He enjoyed The Lord of the Rings,
Alice in Wonderland and Narnia as a youth. He also wrote comic books. How much of the rest is true or fiction I do
not know.
I see the Hempstock farm as Narnia. Magical, dangerous and comforting all at the
same time. For a seven year old boy without friends dealing with problems of a
troubled family the world beyond his place had to be all of those. The entrance of Ursula complicated his young
life. I think she was more than a live-in help and eventual lover of his
father. I think she represented the strain the family was experiencing due to a
loss of fortune and having to take in boarders. (His sister told him later that his mother had
fired Ursula.) Since he was forced to
share a room with his older sister with whom he had little in common I think
Lettie became the older, more protective sister he desired as opposed to the
one he had. The Hempstock women were
strong, nurturing and always made him feel comfortable. They could work magic where his own family
could not. Again I see many parallels
with this story and the Narnia Chronicles.
Lettie saved him from the creatures hoping to consume him.
Did she die in the process or did she simply go into the ocean to return at a
different time? When he arrives at the
farmhouse he is asked if he is there to see her but never does. She is healing still he was told. Would it have ruined the story had she been
there? Probably, since that would not support the magical mystery that weaves
such a fine tale here. Also, would he have lived his life as he did had Lettie
not sacrificed herself to protect him? When he asked Old Mrs Hempstock whether
he had passed she replied “You don’t pass or fail at being a person,
dear.” He says that he made friends with
his father in later years even though they were unlikely friends. He obviously
had a relationship with his sister and there is little mention of the mother
except that she had fired Ursula.
While he says he does not remember coming back to the
farmhouse previously, Mrs. Hempstock says he has been there on more than one
occasion. Which lady did he visit? Are
they all one in the same or separate people? What role does a cat called Ocean
play? I look forward to our discussions!
No comments:
Post a Comment