Two more observations I forgot to make about Mistmantle. Both are differences from Redwall, or new motifs. One is the use of alcohol as a tool of villainy by Husk and Aspen. What a wonderful inclusion in a book for children, to show the dimming power of wine on the old king's faculties and his strong recapturing of his mind and will when he begins to drink clear spring water. I have no problem at all with the animals' enjoyment of wine, beer, and cordials in Redwall, as they are shown as a good part of a healthful life. But the abuse of alcohol in Mistmantle is very vivid and dramatically instructive.
The other element is the somewhat more explicit religious beliefs in Mistmantle. The fact that the animals invoke a higher power shows the value in a community of spiritual belief. McAllister is brilliant in her use of "Heart" as a term of address to this power, thereby avoiding reference to any religion known today.. When I read the book, I thought this was her invention. But volume two, Urchin and the Heartstone, begins with a quotation from an eight century Irish hymn: Great Heart of my own heart, whatever befall/ Still be my vision, thou ruler of all. So this does come from a tradition, but one that is unfamiliar in our age. This use fits with the British setting and yet strikes the reader as new, unique to this world.
No pictures on this additional post.
Showing posts with label Mistmantle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mistmantle. Show all posts
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Mistmantle Chronicles
Mistmantle Chronicles: Urchin of the Riding Stars
This caught my eye on the bookstore shelves, with its pleasing whiff of Redwall and its cover picture of a warrior squirrel on coastal rocks surrounded by sea urchins and starfish. I was half hopeful and half expecting to be disappointed by it, but the opening sentences passed the test, so I sprang for it. It turned out a lovely and satisfying story, which both male and female readers should enjoy, definitely and unabashedly inspired by Redwall, but like a welcome cousin. The similarities -- the peaceful animals of the English forests and waters, treacherous animal enemies, the agrarian setting, the utter nastiness of the villains, the triumph of good over evil -- are familiar. But after the book is finished, it's the differences that make the book memorable in its own right.
The differences come in subtle variations on the basic elements. In details, such as the magnificent swans. In Redwall birds are similarly exotic -- neither friend nor foe but other. But it's the particularity of Swans that shines in the memory. In motifs, like the classification of species. Redwall's creatures are sorted into good and bad by species. The only play on this is in Outcast of Redwall and Taggerung, where an infant of a good species is raised by the bad or vice versa. In Mistmantle, there are heroes and villains within species, most notable squirrels. In settings and ecology: Mistmantle coasts include starfish and sea urchins, and falling stars light up the sky. Original images like these and the swans' approach to Mistmantle burn into the memory.
In short, this first volume is highly recommended. I think I'll look for # 2 and #3 now. I have to learn Urchin's destiny and find out how Padra and Arran fare.
This caught my eye on the bookstore shelves, with its pleasing whiff of Redwall and its cover picture of a warrior squirrel on coastal rocks surrounded by sea urchins and starfish. I was half hopeful and half expecting to be disappointed by it, but the opening sentences passed the test, so I sprang for it. It turned out a lovely and satisfying story, which both male and female readers should enjoy, definitely and unabashedly inspired by Redwall, but like a welcome cousin. The similarities -- the peaceful animals of the English forests and waters, treacherous animal enemies, the agrarian setting, the utter nastiness of the villains, the triumph of good over evil -- are familiar. But after the book is finished, it's the differences that make the book memorable in its own right.
The differences come in subtle variations on the basic elements. In details, such as the magnificent swans. In Redwall birds are similarly exotic -- neither friend nor foe but other. But it's the particularity of Swans that shines in the memory. In motifs, like the classification of species. Redwall's creatures are sorted into good and bad by species. The only play on this is in Outcast of Redwall and Taggerung, where an infant of a good species is raised by the bad or vice versa. In Mistmantle, there are heroes and villains within species, most notable squirrels. In settings and ecology: Mistmantle coasts include starfish and sea urchins, and falling stars light up the sky. Original images like these and the swans' approach to Mistmantle burn into the memory.
In short, this first volume is highly recommended. I think I'll look for # 2 and #3 now. I have to learn Urchin's destiny and find out how Padra and Arran fare.
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