The White Stag

Rating:
Summary: Fluent Writing with Exqusite Artwork
Review: Attila . . . who is this man? Attila the Hun . . . who is this conquerer? You may read every history book on this historic man, but you may not learn as much as when you read The White Stag. Ask yourself this: when does fiction end and history begin? There are few authors who can express themselves perfectly in both writing and drawing as Kate Seredy, the author of The White Stag. When she combines her talents into this book, the results are wonderous. The poetic words flow into rich pictures which capture the imagination and brings it into new heights. Even though The White Stag is a short book, it is an equal to any ancient history book with hundreds of pages. After you read this book, the memory of it lingers and enthralls you. Adults and childern alike can read this novel and find the satisfaction of an excellent book. Stories which mix fiction with facts are as true as history. When you read this book, you read history, because history is as full of untruths as truths. Read this book when you are young, and when you grow up, read it again to yourself anf your childern. Each time you read this book, your insight of its sighnificance will grow.

Rating:
Summary: Another Viewpoint
Review: I like to pair this book with The Trumpeter of Krakow. First we read how "The Tartars came through the world like a horde of wild beasts. They left not one thing alive nor one green blade of wheat standing. Brave they were as lions, courageous they were as great dogs, but they had hearts of stone and knew not mercy, nor pity, nor tenderness, nor God." (From Trumpeter of Krakow)

Then in White Stag we read, "For years there was no rest for them, there could be no rest. Like a sharp wedge they had driven themselves into Europe and now they were surrounded by enemies; they had to go on or perish."

By comparing these two books, a child learns that there are two sides to every story--a good lesson in life.

Rating:
Summary: Tonight the part of Moses will be played by Attila the Hun
Review: You know what's wrong with most Newbery Award winning books? They're just so darn pro-peace. Didn't used to be that way. Why take the fascinating novel, "The White Stag" as an example. An amazing story that decides that Attila the Hun has gotten a bad rap. In this book, he's still a psychopath, but he's a psychopath with a mission. If you find yourself unfamiliar with this literary work, allow me summarize the major points found within.

To find their promised land, the Huns go on a years long rampage of pillaging and murder in the hopes of finding their own place to live. It's like the Old Testament but without any of the good moral lessons. For its 1937 publication, the book is remarkably pro-genocide. As it briefly explains, the Huns find themselves in a kill or be killed mentality. People who see them coming fight them instinctively so that the poor Huns are forced to become blood-thirsty. They search day in and out for their own place to live, guided by their vengeful god Hadur. In this light, Attila is the Moses that finally leads his people to a land flowing with milk and honey. Whatta swell guy.

You may have picked up on the fact that I'm being sarcastic. But how can I help it? Just note the fate of pacifism. When Bendeguz, father of Attila, decides that maybe the Huns should settle down in a rather nice land they've come to own and not go about slaughtering the innocent, he is berated soundly by the blind seer Damos. Those who fight others without provocation are holy. And those who would rather not go around killing, "will be punished for their weakness... Long after the Huns have found the promised land, they will be still homeless wanderers in the wilderness". Um... okay.

There are things to like in this book, of course. The prose itself is evocative and lovely. If judged on the placement of words alone, this book deserves the Newbery. And Kate Seredy's illustrations are impressive, there is no question. They're a series of beautiful 30s illustrations, akin to the kinds of graphics you'd normally find in a Socialist rag. If you can possibly locate a copy of this book with the original illustrations, you will not regret it. It's just the moral of the story I have difficulties with. It's supposed to be: Have faith in yourself and your beliefs and in the end all will turn out well. Instead it comes off as: Kill lots of people because you're certain your god is the best, and all will turn out well. Lots of other people will disagree with me. But regardless if you're a hawk or a dove at heart, this book comes off as little more than a beautiful immoral tale.