Russell Hoban

[steepholm]

If I you'd asked me yesterday I wouldn't have known whether or not Russell Hoban was still alive. I'm very sorry to know today that he's dead, though. Riddley Walker was one of the Big Books of my teen years. When I try to describe it to people who haven't read it, it sounds just awful ("post-apocalyptic Kent, made-up language, etc"), but he succeeded where almost any other writer would have come a cropper. That book, at least, will live.

(Also, I really like Bread and Jam for Frances, even though Frances doesn't look like a "proper" badger.)

Comments

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I saw a young David Threlfall in a dramatised version at the Manchester Royal Exchange in the 80s.

It's a remarkable book.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Wow, I wish I'd seen that. There was a recent stage adaptation done in Ireland, but I only saw that on DVD.

[larryhammer]

I'm sorry to hear that as well. I only just found out earlier this year that he was still alive and publishing.

I didn't find Riddley Walker till I was at university, and while it didn't have as much effect on my set of friends as The Big U, it was up there.

---L.

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

'post-apocalyptic Kent'

But that's where I live! :o)

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

You ever meet the Ardship of Cambry?

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

Back when I was at onion adversity :o)

[sovay]

If I you'd asked me yesterday I wouldn't have known whether or not Russell Hoban was still alive. I'm very sorry to know today that he's dead, though.

Bah. I had that happen with Christopher Fry.

(Also, I really like Bread and Jam for Frances, even though Frances doesn't look like a "proper" badger.)

Wait: seriously, those are the same person? The books illlustrated by Lilian Hoban?

Emmett Otter's Jug-Band Christmas is by the person who wrote Riddley Walker?

My parents gave me those books when I was extremely small! Now I'm going to be personally devastated about this!

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

He was a man of many parts. Did you also know The Mouse and His Child?

[sovay]

Did you also know The Mouse and His Child?

Yes, although again I didn't know it was his.

[ladyofastolat.livejournal.com]

Strange coincidence. Just a few hours ago, I was reading a feature on forthcoming children's books, and came across one by Russell Hoban. Gosh! Is he still alive? thought I in amazement, because when I was little, my parents had a copy of The mouse and his child, and because it was a fixture on the shelves from as early as I can remember, it seemed in my young child's mind to be a book as old as time.

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

For many years I got it mixed up with both The Horse and His Boy because of the title, and Stuart Little because of the subject matter.

[diceytillerman.livejournal.com]

Bread & Jam is a classic.

Eat up your string bean, Gloria.

What i am... is... tired of jam.

(bits from my mind. Book is on my bookshelf but I didn't take it down yet.)