Recommended
“to-reads” in recognition of their October birthdays are prolific authors
Eleanor Spence (b. October 21, 1924) and Graham Greene (b. October 12,
1904).
Eleanor
Spence, a former children's librarian, writes realistic family-type stories for
older children and youth. A
native Australian, her stories reflect the country's history and culture, and
usually portray a character who is looking for self-worth. The circumstances that surround each story
create a springboard for struggle and growth in self-understanding.
Spence's book, The October Child,
seems to have an appropriate title for this time of year … knowing her
birthday. But, it is not about the
author, as one might suspect. The October Child
is a deeply moving novel which shows the impact of Autism upon an entire family.
Spence won an Australian Book of the Year Award for this book, and in 1977 was
shortlisted for Britain’s Carnegie Medal.
As
the story begins, Carl is the youngest member of the Mariner family and
awareness of his problems aren't immediately realized. Readers pick up on a great anticipation of
Carl's birth from Douglas, the family's middle-child. Douglas feels that his older brother Kenneth
favors his mother and Adrienne his younger sister looks like his father. Feeling different and left out, he hopes the
new baby will have something special in common with him.
During
Carl's first years of life his family begins to notice that there is something
wrong with his development. He throws
enormous tantrums screaming all the time, destroys everything, and isn't
learning to talk. Kenneth deals with the
change in family life by staying away as much as possible and Adrienne tunes
everything out with television. The
whole family's life is turned upside down when they move from their home on
Australia's coast into the city of Sydney so that Carl can attend a special
school. Although the word Autism is
never mentioned, it can be understood that this is Carl's problem. Spence writes authentically from the
perspective of family members, especially Douglas, illustrating reactions and
emotions well. She worked many years as
a volunteer for the New South Wales Centre for Autistic Children, in Sydney
Australia. I was even in tune with Carl
and his feelings, imagining how difficult it would be not having the verbal
skills to communicate with others. Since
it was published in 1977, the story is dated in some ways. It was during the 1970s that awareness of
Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) increased with developments in research and
public conversations.
Douglas
is resentful of Carl for all the trouble he brings, but at the same time he
loves his little brother and feels guilty for feeling bitter. It seems that Douglas is the only sibling who
really tries to communicate with Carl. His parents are always exhausted and he
is often called on to help Carl calm down.
When Douglas sings to his little brother, magically the screaming stops
and Carl sometimes even responds with efforts to verbalize in a tuneful
way. Music is the best therapy and helps
build trust between the brothers, but there are times when Douglas's
frustration reaches a peak.
Originally
this book was called “The Devil’s Hole” a place referring to a treacherous
ravine that Douglas was out exploring in the beginning of the novel. Because he worried his mother by being late
coming home he feels that he caused her to go into premature labor, and
therefore inadvertently blames himself for Carl’s condition. This story is full of realistic scenarios and
in spite of emotionally-intense situations, gives readers hope that life in the
Mariner family will improve.
Graham
Greene, of British nationality, is regarded as one of the greatest writers in
the 20th century. He is often
referred to as a Roman Catholic novelist.
He preferred to be known as a novelist who happens to be Catholic, but many
of his books are written from a Catholic perspective, exploring political and
moral issues.
 |
| In human relationships, kindness and lies are worth a thousand truths. ~ Graham Greene |
Greene
gave the literary world volumes of written work: novels, travel books, an
autobiography, plays, story collections, and short stories. Twelve of his novels have been made into
films! Many followers today, still
celebrate Greene’s legacy. There is even
a Graham Greene International Festival that takes place in the writer’s
hometown of Berkhamsted (about 35 miles northwest of London). This annual four-day event is organized to
promote interest in and study of the works of Graham Greene. When I found out about this festival,
attending it immediately went on my bucket list!
As
mentioned, Greene used his pen to highlight and influence readers, world-wide,
of his political views. In his opinion,
“Conservatism and Catholicism should be … impossible bedfellows.” There was even invented The Graham Greene Cocktail in his honor.
When my
personal book club, 1001 Reading Adventures, discussed Greene’s novella, The
Third Man, we discovered that it was written as practice for a screenplay
and ultimately made into a film after running as a BBC Radio Show. In 1999, the British Film Institute voted The Third Man as the greatest British
film of all time. Of course our group
had to see the film after reading the book and enjoyed watching it on the big
screen at West Jefferson’s Blue Ridge Movie Lounge for an exclusive
showing.
The Third Man is a wonderful mystery
thriller, set in post-war Vienna. Following
WWII, Rollo Martins, a paperback writer of wild-west novels, is invited abroad
to visit his friend Harry Lime. As soon
as he arrives Martins discovers that he is just in time for Harry’s funeral. His friend it seems was a hit-and-run victim,
but Martins begins to feel that Harry’s death is suspicious and begins his own
investigation into what really happened.
Harry is described by detectives as “the worst racketeer that ever made
a living in this dirty city.” Greene’s story
takes readers on a tour of the city, even to the city’s underground sewer,
while tracking Harry who is discovered to still be alive. He is wanted for black market involvement with
sales of poisoned penicillin. Harry’s girlfriend, Anna Schmidt becomes a
suspect in harboring him until he can make an escape. Meanwhile Rollo begins to fall for Anna,
adding a touch of romance to the thriller.
I can’t give away too much and spoil the mystery, so I’ll just say … this
is a story about friendship and its betrayal.
Greene explores a fascination with evil and the fragility of human
values, giving readers a pulse-pounding, high-octane experience! If you prefer
to watch the movie, there is a blu-ray copy of this black and white classic available
for checkout at the library. The film stars
Orson Wells, as Harry Lime and Joseph Cotton, as Rollo Martins (referred to as
Holly Martins in film version). I loved
the soundtrack of this film, featuring Anton Karas on the zither, and I highly
recommend checking out this great music, if nothing else!
A favorite
scene from the movie was an encounter between Harry and Holly (Rollo) on the WienerRiesenrad (German for Vienna Giant Wheel).
This 212 ft tall Ferris wheel, constructed in 1897 has fifteen gondolas
and is still in operation. In the entrance of the Giant Ferris Wheel, eight
cabins offer insights into 2,000 years of Viennese history. Individual cabins can additionally be booked
for exclusive dinners, cocktail receptions and weddings. Another tourist attraction and must-see for
fans of Greene’s Third Man is a tour
of Vienna’sunderground sewer system. When discussing
the movie, we were all amazed by the intricate labyrinth of the “underground
city.” Both the Ferris wheel and sewer
tour were also added to my list of things to do. Reading about this place, like other places
in other books, is one affordable way to “travel through the pages of a story.”
In
closing thoughts, Greene’s writing is full of elaborative descriptions that
illustrate using expressive language. I
am including a quote here as an example, but also because this graveyard
portrayal will set the mood for Halloween and hopefully inspire your own reading
of a Graham Greene novel.
“So
back they drove, through the heart of a forest where the graves lay like wolves
under the trees, winking white eyes under the gloom of the evergreen.”
The
Third Man
~ Graham Greene
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