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kiwikathleen 's review for:
Maddigan's Quest
by Margaret Mahy
I saw some of the TV series based on this book (quite a few years ago now, and I can't remember why I didn't get to see it all), and have long wanted to read the book. As I'm currently reading a literary biography of Margaret Mahy I was reminded, and acted on it immediately.
I love Mahy's writing, the way she evokes ideas of the supernatural while being clear that she's actually writing science fiction (mostly). She has lovely passages about the land twisting and turning in its changes, and one can picture magical elements acting on the landscape, but then you realise it's natural changes that are happening as the post-apocalyptic destruction heals and nature takes over the lingering parts of our modern technology. And that's how Mahy writes, with occasional bits of real magic and more bits of magical imagery to describe the natural.
Garland Maddigan's great-grandmother started the travelling circus, the "Fantasia", and the family continue to bring cheer to the towns and villages between Solis and the city of the scholars (oops, can't remember the name of it, and the book's gone back to the library). There are always dangers along the way, but this time the strange arrival of two boys and their infant sister brings a threat that dogs them all the journey, many times almost triumphing.
This is an epic journey (think [b:The Wonderful Wizard of Oz|236093|The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Oz, #1)|L. Frank Baum|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1398003737s/236093.jpg|1993810] with its variety of different adventures), and a wondrous children's tale.
I love Mahy's writing, the way she evokes ideas of the supernatural while being clear that she's actually writing science fiction (mostly). She has lovely passages about the land twisting and turning in its changes, and one can picture magical elements acting on the landscape, but then you realise it's natural changes that are happening as the post-apocalyptic destruction heals and nature takes over the lingering parts of our modern technology. And that's how Mahy writes, with occasional bits of real magic and more bits of magical imagery to describe the natural.
Garland Maddigan's great-grandmother started the travelling circus, the "Fantasia", and the family continue to bring cheer to the towns and villages between Solis and the city of the scholars (oops, can't remember the name of it, and the book's gone back to the library). There are always dangers along the way, but this time the strange arrival of two boys and their infant sister brings a threat that dogs them all the journey, many times almost triumphing.
This is an epic journey (think [b:The Wonderful Wizard of Oz|236093|The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Oz, #1)|L. Frank Baum|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1398003737s/236093.jpg|1993810] with its variety of different adventures), and a wondrous children's tale.