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dandelionfluff 's review for:
The Tale of Despereaux
by Kate DiCamillo
At the start, I confess that I love things that have a dark edge where you wouldn't expect it. I enjoy works that juxtapose light fairy tales with heavier themes. And, I adore small heroes. That being said, The Tale of Despereaux is one of my favorite books.
While I understand that some reviewers (and parents) find issue with the darker parts of the story, I think we need to ask ourselves if Despereaux would benefit from more light. What would it become if we changed the story? It'd be something completely different. It'd be the movie, and I was so disappointed by it.
As for the text, I think many people's discomfort stems from their expectations for a children's story. It's supposed to be filled with light, right? But if you reflect on children's literature as a whole, many popular stories are actually quite dark. Charlotte's Web, for instance. James and the Giant Peach. Original fairy tales. The Guardians of Ga'Hoole takes a very dark turn. Heck, even Harry Potter becomes something frightening. Yet, this does not stop them from being considered fantastic stories. So Despereaux is dark. Kids clearly are acquainted with that world if they've read anything else (especially if they've been reading horribly depressing historical fiction in their classes).
I also understand that the narrator of the story is very heavy-handed in terms of looking for light in the dark, understanding character's suffering and leading us by the hand through the different stories. I suppose you have to have a taste for that kind of deliverance; even I admit, some days I just do not want a sugary voice whispering me messages of the goodness in people's hearts. But, on the whole, I adore the way the narrator serves as another character in need of saving, too, and the overall layout of the book serves the purpose of the characters.
So, my review of Despereaux? A fantastic look into the darker side of children's literature that is suited for both young and old. The ending leaves you with a kind of satisfactory hope in an imperfect world.
While I understand that some reviewers (and parents) find issue with the darker parts of the story, I think we need to ask ourselves if Despereaux would benefit from more light. What would it become if we changed the story? It'd be something completely different. It'd be the movie, and I was so disappointed by it.
As for the text, I think many people's discomfort stems from their expectations for a children's story. It's supposed to be filled with light, right? But if you reflect on children's literature as a whole, many popular stories are actually quite dark. Charlotte's Web, for instance. James and the Giant Peach. Original fairy tales. The Guardians of Ga'Hoole takes a very dark turn. Heck, even Harry Potter becomes something frightening. Yet, this does not stop them from being considered fantastic stories. So Despereaux is dark. Kids clearly are acquainted with that world if they've read anything else (especially if they've been reading horribly depressing historical fiction in their classes).
I also understand that the narrator of the story is very heavy-handed in terms of looking for light in the dark, understanding character's suffering and leading us by the hand through the different stories. I suppose you have to have a taste for that kind of deliverance; even I admit, some days I just do not want a sugary voice whispering me messages of the goodness in people's hearts. But, on the whole, I adore the way the narrator serves as another character in need of saving, too, and the overall layout of the book serves the purpose of the characters.
So, my review of Despereaux? A fantastic look into the darker side of children's literature that is suited for both young and old. The ending leaves you with a kind of satisfactory hope in an imperfect world.