I love the setting and the
atmosphere Harris creates, and how little sub-plots or the next few clues are
revealed every few chapters or so. This is what keeps the pages turning, and I
thought the pacing was quite terrific and the writing very easy to read and
escape into. I think it is written with a great knowledge of what holds
children’s attention.
Faeries (the Celtic folklore-ish
kind) are one of my fictional favourites when it comes to kid’s books. I have
my own folders and books all about the
numerous beasties and faeries from British, Irish and Scottish folklore,
and so I love it when I recognize the source material authors are working from.
I really enjoyed Harris’ collection of household boggarts and the lore
associated with them. She also manages to create some genuinely creepy, scary
moments, which is offset throughout the book with lovely, subtle humour.
The Various was written in the mid 2000’s, but the style, pacing,
and themes feel like they belong to the 50s/60s era of children’s writing. This
is not necessarily bad, as pretty much all my fav books come from this era. But
The Various is perhaps lacking the
charm and whimsy of the writing at this time – it feels a bit plain old-fashioned,
but not in a hip modern way. I think kids, attuned to a snappy, action-filled
and contemporary narrative, would struggle to get through it. It certainly took
me a long time, and I persisted, because I hate to let a book defeat me. And
though I feel like my efforts were rewarded, I can see how it would deter
others.
I appreciate a lot
of description, because I know, as a writer, how much you want the reader to
see and understand your world as much as you do. But there is too much in The Various. Many passages get too
long-winded and over-thought. It seems like we are not spared one thought from
Midge’s head, about everything she encounters. This can get a bit tedious and
make Midge seem precocious, while also putting the pacing off. The book is as
long and languid as one of Midge’s lazy afternoons on the farm. Also, I felt at
times it was maybe just a little indulgent, and came off as a little forced – I
felt like, let the idea speak for itself, rather than trying to force feelings
on the reader.