The Gawgon and the Boy

Rating:
Summary: A glimpse of a master's mind
Review: Here, we journey with Lloyd Alexander through *his* childhood. In addition to wonderment, lots of laughs, a bit of sadness, we share his developing imagination. And that is a priceless gift for his readers and fans.

Most highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: A glimpse of a master's mind
Review: I didn't get this book, and neither did my kids. A dud of a reccomendation.

Rating:
Summary: Didn't get it
Review: I didn't get this book, and neither did my kids. A dud of a reccomendation.

Rating:
Summary: Very Disappointing for our family
Review: I read this book aloud to my 3 oldest children (13,11,8 yo).

To be fair, it had some good qualities:
It was funny in some places, although usually just to ME; Most of the humor went right over the heads of my children who were in the intended age range! It did have a likeable main character, and a likeable secondary character (the "Gawgon".)

But these qualities were not enough to redeem this book. The eccentric relatives were apparently added for comedic effect or possibly to lengthen a rather short book. But they were just WEIRD to us and left us wondering why they were even mentioned... to torment us? Yuck. We'd rather have more interaction between the main characters.

For some reason, few paragraphs were more than a sentence or two long. You just don't appreciate a well-organized paragraph until you read through an entire book without them.

My kids like almost anything I read to them. They were glad when this one was over (SO WAS I.)

Rating:
Summary: Very Disappointing for our family
Review: I read this book aloud to my 3 oldest children (13,11,8 yo).

To be fair, it had some good qualities:
It was funny in some places, although usually just to ME; Most of the humor went right over the heads of my children who were in the intended age range! It did have a likeable main character, and a likeable secondary character (the "Gawgon".)

But these qualities were not enough to redeem this book. The eccentric relatives were apparently added for comedic effect or possibly to lengthen a rather short book. But they were just WEIRD to us and left us wondering why they were even mentioned... to torment us? Yuck. We'd rather have more interaction between the main characters.

For some reason, few paragraphs were more than a sentence or two long. You just don't appreciate a well-organized paragraph until you read through an entire book without them.

My kids like almost anything I read to them. They were glad when this one was over (SO WAS I.)

Rating:
Summary: This book was wonderfuly silly!
Review: It takes a lot of courage for an author as well-established and well-loved in a genre as Lloyd Alexander is, to depart from that genre and present a book so unlike anything they've done before. It takes even more courage when it's a book about your own childhood. Lloyd Alexander did this, and the result is one of his best books.
I've never liked books in which the protagonist can magically jump from the present to a fantasy world. However, Lloyd Alexander makes it work effortlessly. The short stories which come from David's imagination add adventure to the plot without losing credibility.
The story, told from the point of view of 11 year old David (who is increadibly easy to identify with ), is childish without being immature. The world is a place where it's possible to drown in a backyard creek, and adults never quite make sense. But you are nevertheless at all times in the hands of a master storyteller.
Lloyd Alexander has influenced my life more than any other author I've read. His characters have peopled my own imagination, and even helped to shape who I am. This book about his own childhood is unlike anything he's written, so don't buy it hoping for his normal formula. Instead, put yourself in his hands and let the story lead you where it will. You wont be sorry.
Did I mention it's funny too?

Rating:
Summary: A marvelous book
Review: It takes a lot of courage for an author as well-established and well-loved in a genre as Lloyd Alexander is, to depart from that genre and present a book so unlike anything they've done before. It takes even more courage when it's a book about your own childhood. Lloyd Alexander did this, and the result is one of his best books.
I've never liked books in which the protagonist can magically jump from the present to a fantasy world. However, Lloyd Alexander makes it work effortlessly. The short stories which come from David's imagination add adventure to the plot without losing credibility.
The story, told from the point of view of 11 year old David (who is increadibly easy to identify with ), is childish without being immature. The world is a place where it's possible to drown in a backyard creek, and adults never quite make sense. But you are nevertheless at all times in the hands of a master storyteller.
Lloyd Alexander has influenced my life more than any other author I've read. His characters have peopled my own imagination, and even helped to shape who I am. This book about his own childhood is unlike anything he's written, so don't buy it hoping for his normal formula. Instead, put yourself in his hands and let the story lead you where it will. You wont be sorry.
Did I mention it's funny too?

Rating:
Summary: The Master and His Muse
Review: Lloyd Alexander is rightfully considered one of the finest children's writers in the world today, and his latest novel, The Gawgon and The Boy, is yet another strong addition to the canon. What sets Alexander apart from most other writers is his marvelous imagination, and in this book he pays tribute to the person who inspired that imagination, his Aunt Annie, herein referred to (affectionately) as "The Gawgon."

The novel centers on Alexander's (called David in the book) childhood days in Philadelphia in the 1930s, and features his own family in all their delightful eccentricity. While lovingly and sweetly portrayed, there is nothing saccharine in his portrayal of family life. Fans of Bradbury's Dandelion Wine, Durrell's My Family & Other Animals, and JD Fitzgerald's Great Brain series will all find something to smile about here.

As a bonus, readers are treated to samples of young David's own stories and get a ringside seat to the workings of his imagination. David is tutored by his Aunt Annie, who gave David books as gifts, and fostered his youthful aesthetic. This book is a paean to her memory.

The Gawgon and The Boy harkens back to Alexander's earliest books, such as My Love Affair with Music and Janine is French, now long out of print. He deals with some of the same themes he tackled in The Arkadians (where do stories come from?), and structurally it is reminiscent of his first full-fledged children's novel, Time Cat. The cat Gareth in Time Cat introduced the boy Jason to 9 different lives and times, which in a sense is what The Gawgon, David's muse, does here.

This is a great book, but Alexander has already set the bar so high with some of his earlier books -- The Black Cauldron, Taran Wanderer, Marvelous Misadventures of Sebastian, First Two Lives of Lukas-Kasha, The Westmark Trilogy, The Iron Ring, and the aforementioned books -- that this book is just a notch below. The episodic nature of the plot is a little choppy in parts. However, it is far superior to some of his other books. Hopefully, the Newbery Award committee will realize they've got another winner on their hands with this one. This book, which explains how the mind of one of the world's most imaginative authors works, is a rare and delightful treat.

Rating:
Summary: Alexander strikes gold again
Review: Lloyd Alexander's latest is a departure from his usual tales of ancient heroism or far-off lands, though it is no less enjoyable than the Prydain Chronicles or the Vesper Holly adventures.

Eleven-year-old David (also known as "Skeezix," "Skinamalink," Snicklefritz..." by his various weird relations) is recuperating from near-fatal pneumonia, in 1920s Philadelphia. He has an array of bizarro relatives who flit by him, but who cannot erase the apparent boredom of bedrest. He's willing to try mild exercise and stimulation, but...

... he has to have a tutor. Apparently reading, watching "talkies" and making cartoons is not sufficient for a young boy. Old Aunt Annie agrees to be David's tutor--the Gorgon (whom accented Aunt Rosie calls Gawgon... get it? Gawgon and the Boy?)

But Aunt Anne is not just another formidable old lady -- she is witty and intelligent (wow, sounds like Alexander's other female heroes!) and intrudes on his written escapades. The Gawgon and the Boy also has hints of autobiography, given the time period and the unexotic locale, not to mention the excellent sense of atmosphere that permeates the story.

Both David and the "Gawgon" are enjoyable, quirky characters who clearly have the full imagination of Mr. Alexander behind them. Aspiring writers will be fascinated by the early writings of David, and his thoughts on them. Though they may initially dislike Aunt Annie, she soon shows her more endearing sides. In addition to these two, there is also a supporting cast of slightly weird relatives,

The descriptions of Philadelphia in the 20s sparkle with life and vividity. Such details as the "new" films with actual sound give it an added feeling of "you are there." The words used to describe the characters and situations are excellent as always!

Lloyd Alexander's talent has not dulled, and this unique offering will satisfy any reader.

Rating:
Summary: This book was wonderfuly silly!
Review: The Gawgon and The Boy was a good book with strong characters. The book was a 1 day read for me. Lots of kids will enjoy all of the silly nicknames the main character has given, and they will be sure to recomend it to all there friends!