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"I think death will be a good career move for me. People will say, 'Yes, Hoban, he seems an interesting writer, let's look at him again.'"
—Author Russell Hoban, who wrote the post-apocalyptic classic Riddley Walker and the beloved "Frances" series for children, among others, has died. Hoban was 86.
Read "A Bargain For Frances" for the first time like six months ago and it's pretty amazing? The page where Frances walks calmly with her hands behind her back singing a little ditty that Thelma (her "friend" who scammed her out of a tea set) "had better bewareful" BLEW MY MIND.
@jfruh: What I am, is tired of jam.
Frances was a total badass.
I was thinking of giving out Chompo Bars for Christmas. One-half of one of the best picture-book bylines, alongside Potter, the Lobels, Steig, Kitamura…
His quote was indeed accurate: I knew the "Frances" books from growing up (and like to give them to my friends with new offspring), but I was totally unaware of Riddley Walker, which is right up my alley, too.
@Setec Astrology It's an amazing book. The way it's written I didn't have a clue what was going on half the time but it really gets into your head.
@Setec Astrology Oh god Riddley Walker. So good.
"Walker is my name and I am the same. Riddley Walker. Walking my riddels where ever theyve took me and walking them now on this paper the same."
'The Book of Dave' by Will Self is written in the same sort of post-apocalyptic (environmental this time) mangled future English that riffs more on Cockney than Chaucer. Not as good as Hoban's but it's a nightmarish, grim book.
IT'S SO GOOD. Riddley Walker, I mean. If you love speculative fiction it is a must must must. You get used to the language, like with Nadsat. I have a super-genius friend who is really crazy about Hoban's Mouse and his Child, is it called? Haven't read that one yet.
Bread and Jam for Francis! –many pleasant hours spent reading this aloud. A wonderful creation. RIP.
Loved Riddley Walker. But I am dog-friendy.
He also wrote the book "Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas" which I recently read. I grew up with the Jim Henson TV version and was surprised at how grim the book is. It's like "The Grapes of Wrath" for kids.