Sally Gardner

Carine · Post by **Carine** » Thu September 18th, 2008, 1:09 pm

I just came across this on the Historical Novel Society website :

THE RED NECKLACE
Sally Gardner, Dial, 2008, $16.99, hb, 384pp, 9780803731004 / Orion, 2008, £6.99, pb, 384pp, 9781842556344
This book is a winner. Set during the French Revolution, the plot centers on a young Gypsy boy, Yann, who uses his mind-reading abilities and ventroquilism as a magicians assistant. Their performance at the chateau of a decadent Marquis brings Yann into contact with the Marquis crippled and neglected daughter, Sidonie, and the Marquis mysterious, sinister friend, Count Kalliovski. Yanns growing love for Sidonie and his efforts to help her fuel this intricate fantasy, taking the reader into the extreme excesses of French nobility and the resultant bloody excesses of the Revolution. The reader vividly experiences the extreme entitlement of the wealthy and the hopeless poverty of the peasantry, and, in the end, the fetid, squalid prisons of the time.
Gardner has woven a tense and believable fantasy into a setting of great danger and social turmoil. Kalliovski is surely one of the more evil characters to be found in young adult literature, and his mysterious relationship to both Yann and Sidonie and his menace to them are ever present and always threatening. His lecherous plans for Sidonie remain implicit until she is betrayed and imprisoned as the daughter of a nobleman, but even then the story doesnt sink into sordidness. Suspenseful throughout, The Red Necklace builds to a thrilling climax. Young readers of historical fiction and fantasy should clamor for more. Highly recommended, ages 12 and up. -- Pamela Ortega

Anyone read books by this author or read "The Red Necklace" ?

Rowan · Post by **Rowan** » Thu September 18th, 2008, 1:24 pm

Never read it or any of her work, but I'd be hard pressed to let any 12 year old read it. It sounds like there are situations far more intense and complex than a 12 year old can handle...

Carine · Post by **Carine** » Thu September 18th, 2008, 1:26 pm

I completely agree with you Rowan ! It's more adult stuff in my opinion too.

alice · Post by **alice** » Thu September 18th, 2008, 4:58 pm

[quote=""Carine""]I just came across this on the Historical Novel Society website :

Anyone read books by this author or read "The Red Necklace" ?[/quote]

Hi. Yes, I know of the author, but haven't read the books yet. She also wrote "I Coriander", a novel set during the 17th century and Cromwell's reign, involving magic and fairies I believe. She is very highly acclaimed, and only today I noticed that "The Red Necklace" has been shortlisted for the "Booktrust Teenage Prize", where the winner will be announced in October I think. IC won awards too. The students who have read IC really enjoyed it, but haven't read TRN yet.

Both books are ones I want to read, and an interesting fact for me is that the author was born local to my school, and has made a very successful career from writing, although she was virtually written off in her own schooldays as she is heavily dyslexic. She is also a very successful theatre designer. I have a small display on her, with another famous, local author who is also dyslexic, and has become renowned against the odds, under the heading of "Local Heroes", as their stories are a great incentive to students who may also have difficulties to overcome.

Carine · Post by **Carine** » Fri September 19th, 2008, 6:09 am

Woaw, that's an interesting story Alice, thanks for sharing !