Blog Partner Discussion 6: Biography
http://jamaicablogpartners.blogspot.com/
Your personal response to the book
What genre you think it might be and why
( Read Check out descriptions of genres at:
http://www.edu.uleth.ca/currlab/handouts/genres.html
Evaluate its literary quality
Evaluate its illustrations
Evaluate in terms of multicultural considerations including the credibility of the author and illustrator
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Andrea seeing that we erred when we blogged our traditional literature instead of doing modern fantasy we have the task of doing the modern fantasy now. The blog partner discussion # 6 says biography but remember we are not doing that genre this time around. Anyway on to the our modern fantasy.
ReplyDeleteThe Return of the Golem by Peter Ruggill. This book is truly a modern fantasy. At the time we selected the book we may have realised that it was a modern fantasy but did not realise that it is also Jewish tale. I think that for that reason the story resonated with me...... because of the the diversity. Still a modern fantasy but a religiously diversed storyline.
The book for me falls under the genre modern fantasy as both the aliens and the Golem gives the story a modern tone though fantastic in nature. The pictures are a bit overcrowded on the pages however they tell a story which supplements the written text. The author is also the illustrator and I guess he illustrated exactly what he pictured in his mind. I wonder where he got the word Golem from and if it has a meaning. I could not help but notice that there is a cat and a dog on every illustrated page though, do you think there is a symbolism?
What is your take?
Constance
Indeed Connie, there is a cat and a dog on every page of the storybook which I think is symbolic in a Jewish family of love. Usually, we think that cats and dogs don't get on very well, but if you really examine the overcrowded black and white illustrations, which tell a story in itself, you'll see where they are never fighting or terrified of each other.
ReplyDeleteAs I read the story, I realized that it is a Jewish folktale that is illustrated with appeal and wit in its own right. Noteworthy is the fact that, despite one's ethnic, cultural or religious background, the story can be appreciated because of its simplistic and straightforward language and story line.
Later...
Andrea again you are quite astute in your observations. The cat and dog could really represent as you suggested love in the Jewish family.
ReplyDeleteI cannot recall ever reading a Jewish folktale prior to now and I found this story to be really interesting. The author was able to paint a vivid picture using texts and graphics. Although the author/illustrator is a native New Yorker, Peter Ruggill's experience seems to have been his main qualification in composing this text. The illustrations are unique and the fact that he is a selftaught artist supports this.
Did you notice how he pays attention to details and forgets nothing as he illustrates his story. I found no problem in the authencity of the story and graphic. It's a fantasy. What did I expect?
The book does not lack any literary quality as it contains all the elements required in stories. The story was new to me both in content and graphic however I enjoyed the tale.I know you did too.
Talk again.
Constance
Sure Connie, I did enjoy the book, in fact I examined the pictures thoroughly before I even began reading because I was curious to find out why they were without color!
ReplyDeleteWhen I finished reading the book, I read the author's/illustrator' profile and realized that he is a New Yorker. This then led me to wonder how he captured a Jewish situation so adeptly. It was then that I remembered that he was a librarian at a Jewish Children's Community Library, hence, he has spent quite a number of hours existing with the Jews. Hats off to him; he really did a good job of presenting the essence of family life... and without color too.
It's poetry time...YEAH!