Rachel's Corner
Pippi Longstocking
By Astrid Lindgren
Rachel's Rating: G
I'm continuing with my series of books written by my favourite Swedish author, Astrid Lindgren (who really should have been awarded a Nobel Prize). For this issue I've chosen her probably most famous novel (or series of novels, in fact): Pippi Longstocking. I'm almost certain that all of you, or at least most of you, have heard of Pippi, or as her full name is: Pippilotta Delicatessa Windowshade Mackrelmint Ephraim's Daughter Longstocking.
Pippi is just a little 8-year-old girl, but she's very special. She's got red hair, which is always braided and the two pigtails stick right out from the sides of her head. Her shoes are too big for her, and her companions are a dotted horse and a small monkey.
As if that wasn't enough, she's living all by herself in a house in a small Swedish village, she's got a whole bag filled with gold coins, her father is a sea captain and her mother is an angel — and Pippi is the strongest person in the world. She also doesn't care about what adults think about her way of living; she always does as she pleases. No wonder that her neighbours, Per and Annika, who are around her own age, are amazed by her and can't help but becoming her friends.
Although Pippi does as she pleases, she's a very kind person. She might not have good manners (according to adults), but she sure knows how to deal with bullies (young and old), thieves, irritating police officers and other adults who try to interfere and decide how she should live her life. But if she's treated with respect, she is respectful, too.
Pippi is one of the most beloved child book characters in Sweden, perhaps in the world. Adults are in some ways terrified by her ways and the impact she might have on children, but in other ways maybe they wish they could be like her? And children love her because she's a strong character to look up to. Not everything she does is right, and yes, she is a (cute) little monster sometimes — but she has a good heart.
There are three full length books about Pippi:
Pippi Longstocking
Pippi Goes Aboard
Pippi in the South Seas
And of course, there are movies as well, which I highly recommend.
Shadowmarch
By Tad Williams
Rachel's Rating: PG-13
Shadowmarch is a stereotypical fantasy adventure. It's the first part of the series with the same name. As with most fantasy series of this kind, there are quite a few main characters. I confess that I didn't think the book was very interesting to start with; it took me a while to get into it, to get interested in the fates of all the people I met. But Mr. Williams got me hooked again, oh yes....
The story focuses mainly on:
— The royal twins Barrick and Briony Eddon (prince and princess), whose father the king has been kidnapped and held for ransom;
— Ferras Vansen, captain of the Royal Guard;
— Chert Blue-Quartz, who is a Funderling (one of the "dwarf" people underground);
— Flint, the mysterious boy who Chert and his wife found and took care of;
— Qinnitan, an acolyte of the Hive in a land called Xis.
There are another eight characters who can be considered main characters, and five or six secondary characters — plus the normal set of numerous extra characters. Luckily, most of them have very special names, so you won't get too confused (hopefully).
The story begins in the kingdom Southmarch of the Marchland kingdoms. It lies on the edge of the Shadowline — an endless mist which marks the border of the realm of the fairy-folk (the Qar). This Shadowline suddenly starts moving deeper into Southmarch, bringing evil. At the same time, there's a political mess in the Marchlands. The king of Southmarch is held captive, his eldest son is murdered, and now it's up to the young twins to hold the kingdom together and try to bring back their father. But a war is approaching....
The next three books in the series are:
Shadowplay
Shadowrise
Shadowheart