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A review by ellielabbett
Soonchild by Russell Hoban
5.0
Absolutely bizarre on so many levels, but so wise and makes such sense on many others. 'Soonchild' follows a man called John, who is blinded by fear and has become complacent towards his spiritual responsibilities after enjoying the ease of modern life. John has ignored the spirits, and in doing this has risked them being forgotten and fading out of existence. This is all to the detriment to his soonchild, who needs to hear the songs of the world in order to wish to be born. We follow John's journeys of redemption and amendment, finding himself, restoring his spiritual compass and ultimately trying to recover the World Songs.
I absolutely loved this book. All logic is suspended in a crazy and absurd adventure. Hoban's writing is powerful, melodic and hillarious. Although much of the story is off the planet, it still carries many themes that are quite applicable to real life (despite this being a fantasy/myth)- with the idea of losing yourself and slipping into a repetitive rut being something several will have encountered.
Commercialism is a theme that was quite a minor element to this story, used ironically and comedically in this context, yet I found it to be particularly poignant. We really are overwhelmed by the branding that we take so casually into our lives. Hoban is very witty in this.
The whole story could be buzzing with book talk, there so many elements to discuss and debate. In particular, the 'north'. This is an interesting setting and, I think, a concept in itself that could even be good for Philosophy for Children.
This said, I question whether I would really be able to use this story within Primary School. I think this story is geared a little above year six, with some quite challenging elements to understanding, which is a shame because I feel that this story holds so much. But you never know whether some extremely able year six's might be able to give it a go.
To add to this excellent story, Alexis Deacon's illustrations are superbly mythological, sometimes a little disturbing and others just beautiful. I feel that Deacon and Hoban were thinking on a parallel level- they each compliment each other magnificently.
I highly recommend this book!!
I absolutely loved this book. All logic is suspended in a crazy and absurd adventure. Hoban's writing is powerful, melodic and hillarious. Although much of the story is off the planet, it still carries many themes that are quite applicable to real life (despite this being a fantasy/myth)- with the idea of losing yourself and slipping into a repetitive rut being something several will have encountered.
Commercialism is a theme that was quite a minor element to this story, used ironically and comedically in this context, yet I found it to be particularly poignant. We really are overwhelmed by the branding that we take so casually into our lives. Hoban is very witty in this.
The whole story could be buzzing with book talk, there so many elements to discuss and debate. In particular, the 'north'. This is an interesting setting and, I think, a concept in itself that could even be good for Philosophy for Children.
This said, I question whether I would really be able to use this story within Primary School. I think this story is geared a little above year six, with some quite challenging elements to understanding, which is a shame because I feel that this story holds so much. But you never know whether some extremely able year six's might be able to give it a go.
To add to this excellent story, Alexis Deacon's illustrations are superbly mythological, sometimes a little disturbing and others just beautiful. I feel that Deacon and Hoban were thinking on a parallel level- they each compliment each other magnificently.
I highly recommend this book!!