Christopher Paul Curtis
Middle grade
After all the fiscal cliff diving the United States media has practiced in the last forty-eight or so hours, this book seems incredibly fitting to review. Christopher Paul Curtis revisits the height of the Great Depression in Indiana/Michigan - site of his Newbery-winning Bud, Not Buddy - in The Mighty Miss Malone.
The story follows the lives of twelve year-old Deza Malone, her brother Jimmie and parents Peg and Roscoe as their lives spiral downwards into shanty town destitution after Deza's father leaves town to find work, her mother loses her job, and the family, their house.
What happens to a family torn apart by poverty? The Mighty Miss Malone draws a very stark picture. It's not so stark that a young audience will feel overwhelmed, but it is very eye-opening. I watched the effects on my daughters every morning on the way to school (we listened to this book on tape). The enlightenment that life can be very very different, was and, today, is for over fifteen million children nationwide reflected on their faces many mornings.
Curtis provides both a forward and an afterward, first grounding the story in the roots of unshakable family bonds and then providing hard-hitting facts such as the number of children living below the poverty line in the U.S. today. He does a good job of weaving a story that entertains, awakens curiosity and provides information.
From a craft perspective, The Mighty Miss Malone, while solidly built upon characters so real I feel as if I've met them before in my life, follows a plot that is less satisfactory and somewhat random. This could be meant to reflect the very real randomness which wreaks havoc on the lives of so many living at the edge of or in poverty. However, this randomness makes the ultimate resolution to the family's financial woes almost like a deux ex machina. Again, in many ways, finding work during the Great Depression may very well have felt like a deus ex machina. I remember my dad telling me stories about his grandmother, mother of ten children during the Depression, walking down the street and finding a dime and breaking down into tears because she didn't have any money to buy food until she found that dime. So take my comments with that grain of reality salt.
Add to that, however, that Deza does very little to change her plight, unlike Bud, in Bud, Not Buddy, who himself strikes out to find his lone surviving relative. Nor does she solve the internal, emotional struggle, i.e. reuniting the family. Does it matter? Because both the external and internal problems are solved by someone other than the main character, those resolutions are not as intense, nor do they feel as earned. Deza, like the main reader, is along for the ride. We feel with her. We feel acutely. Curtis does an excellent job with that, but we don't ultimately feel satisfied with the story's resolution because Deza hasn't done much to make to it happen. She's suffered, but her suffering doesn't buy her the golden elixir. It's suffering that could continue on indefinitely if someone else (both her mom and her brother) hadn't bought the golden elixir with their actions. Ultimately, it's a bifurcated hero's journey with many hero's solving problems, but none of them is the main protagonist.
Don't let that stop you from reading The Mighty Miss Malone. It's a story worth reading, a time in our history worth revisiting. Maybe if a few members of Congress were to do so, fiscal cliff diving might take on an entirely different meaning.
Oops. Mixing politics with book reviews. Bad, bad reviewer!
For other warm winter reads, plow on over to Barrie Summy's website. Happy 2013!
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::huge hugs::
*sniff*
I am so sorry, Shelli. Bud sounds like a wonderful dog. He was lucky to have you as a mama.
{{hugs}}
So sorry, Shelli. Sounds like you two made a great pair.
Aww! I'm so sorry. *hugs*
My heart goes out to you. This brought tears to my eyes because I know how great the love of a pet is...and I am truly sorry for what you have lost.
Oh, Shelli, I'm so sorry. My sister just went through this with her 14-year-old dog. Just like with any other family member, I know there are no words of comfort - but you are in my thoughts. (((hugs)))
Hugs to you. Our dog passed a year and a half ago and it took a while to not feel sad. That's normal. Dogs are family members. I know this is nuts but we even had her ashes at the dinner table each night for months so she could be with us!
Take care, Shelli! Cherish your memories with Bud.
So sorry. *hugs* It's never easy to lose a family member. I'm thinking about you.
I'm so sorry to hear about your dog! :( We just recently lost our dog of 6 years a week after she had a complicated pregnancy and it's always very very tough for any owner. I pray for peace for your heart in this hard time. *hug*
Shelli, we're sending you a ginormous virtual *hug* and be assured you are in our thoughts.
M&M
I am so sorry for your loss Shelli. All the best to you and your family and peace to Bud.
So, so many hugs <3 It's always so terrible to a pet.. nah, not just a pet, a real friend. You wrote a beautiful poem about him, Shelli. :)
A beautiful tribute, Shelli. I am so sorry for your loss. I hope those memories of the times Bud made you laugh bubble back up to the surface, soon.
Shelli my thoughts are with you. We have two dogs and they are truly family. Lots of hugs and love to you and Bud.
How sad! I'm so sorry to hear about Bud. Dogs truly do make the most amazing and loyal friends. You're in my thoughts.
So sorry :(
Sounds like he lived a good long time!
Very sorry for such a sad loss. Hugs...
I'm so sorry. It sounds like he was incredibly loved by many.
Oh gosh. You totally just made me cry at work! I'm so sorry. I hate losing a beloved pet friend. It's heartbreaking. But you pretty much summed it up, gotta be happy they are safe and in a good place forever now. =(
Lovely poem. So sorry for your loss, and may Bud find many bones to bite and toys to play with and things to chase until you meet him again.
My own dog is just a puppy now, but I'm teary thinking of the day when I might lose him.
Blessings!
The CRITTER Project and Naked Without a Pen
So sorry for your loss.
Hugs, Shelli! Many hugs.
I'm so sorry. (((Huge hugs))). You and yours and in my thoughts dear friend. This was a beautiful tribute.(Hugs)Indigo
Shelli, I am so, so, so sorry for your loss. Bud was so lucky to have shared his time here with someone who loved him so much. This is such a touching tribute to him and all you shared.
I will keep you in my thoughts. Hugs!
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What a lovely tribute. Sending hugs!
Oh, Shelli ... I am so very sorry. Sending hugs your way.
I am so sorry. My dog passed away a few years ago and it hurt bad. Loved the tribute and wish you the best.
Awww. I'm so sorry Shelli. Treasure the memories. *hugs*
Hugs.
Thank you for posting this Shelli. I am very, very sorry for the loss of your dear friend Bud, but this post is healing for all of us who have lost beloved pets. It won't be easy, but Bud is smiling (panting?) down on you.
Oh no! I’m so sorry :( Huge hugs coming your way.
RIP Bud
So sorry, dear. I lost a furry friend about a year ago. You can see a picture of him here. He wasn't with us nearly as long as your friend, and yet I still think about him every day. I think it gets easier, but it's never easy.
I'll be thinking about you. :)
~Tara
Oh Shelli-
I'm just so sorry for you loss. They just never live long enough. God will watch out for Bud now. Take care of yourself.
I hope you and your family are remembering all the love Bud shared with you. Dogs REALLY do go to Heaven. Bud is playing and running and having a blast right now! You were a great person family
to him.
Love and peace is sent to you.
Beth
Just got back in town and read about your loss- I'm so sorry. I know your heart is broken a little. The verse is true though. Bud will be there around you. You'll begin to notice little things, like items he'd bring to you that suddenly show up where they weren't before, or a dog that looks like him that comes up to you. When you find "messages", remember the love and fun, and tenderness between you, not the pain at the end. Bud will always be there for you....love is eternal, even with pets.
Gail
Shelli,
I'm so sorry about Bud. I know how hard losing a pet is. Hang in there, sweetie.
xoxo -- Hilary
So sorry. It's hard to lose loved ones.
Cyber Hugs
i am so sorry for your loss. that sounds like such a long and sweet relationship you had.
So sorry...
That was such a touching letter. Big hugs to you, hon.
My heart goes out to you!
*hugs*
So sorry for your loss.
I'm sorry Shelli!
I'm so sorry Shelli. I know you had a special connection to Bud.
This is the hardest part of sharing your life with a beloved pet, Shelli. Having done it time and time again, I understand and send thoughts of comfort.
Awww...I'm so sorry about Bud, Shelli. Big hugs to you and your family. :(
great big (((((hugs)))) I wish I could reach through the computer and give you a real-life hug. Pets are so beloved. So much more important than we could ever realize . . .
I wish there were perfect words that I could give you, but there isn't. Just know that I understand and send you my most positive and empathetic thoughts.
more (((((hugs))))
I feel for you. Beautiful post!
Sorry for your loss, Shelli.