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Basajaun

by Rosemary Van Deuren (Goodreads Author)

3.11 of 5 stars 3.11 · rating details · 9 ratings · 8 reviews

'In the world of the rabbits, she is hailed as a savior.
In the world of men, a holy man wants her dead.
She is twelve years old.'

In an isolated European farm town in 1906, a Pastor known as ‘the rabbit killer’ is preaching that the overrun of rabbits is a parallel for sin and corruption. But when Cora - a farmer’s daughter - befriends a rogue rabbit named Basajaun, she beco...more

Paperback, First, 261 pages

Published January 29th 2009 by Wooden Smith Books

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Apr 07, 2011 La Coccinelle rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult-fiction

This is the first self-published novel I've read and reviewed (at least, for the purposes of this blog). I am kind of conflicted about how to proceed. On the one hand, I don't want to discourage people from writing and putting their work out there. On the other hand, I certainly don't want to encourage anyone to read this book.

(There will be spoilers in this review. I can't very well talk about the things I hated if I can't talk about the ending...)

On the plus side, the cover is great. Unlike a...more

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Oct 27, 2009 Erika rated it 4 of 5 stars

Basajaun (pronounced “Bah-sah-jahn”--last part rhymes with “shawn”) is a bunny, he’s also Cora’s best friend. Cora’s a young girl being raised in 1906 by her father after her mother died of consumption years before Cora can remember. Their small town is being overrun by rabbits and a town meeting is called to find a resolution. When Wayne--Cora’s father--prepares a speech for his non-lethal proposal, he doesn’t expect to be brushed aside so easily. Unknown to him, the town’s called in a Pastor f...more Basajaun (pronounced “Bah-sah-jahn”--last part rhymes with “shawn”) is a bunny, he’s also Cora’s best friend. Cora’s a young girl being raised in 1906 by her father after her mother died of consumption years before Cora can remember. Their small town is being overrun by rabbits and a town meeting is called to find a resolution. When Wayne--Cora’s father--prepares a speech for his non-lethal proposal, he doesn’t expect to be brushed aside so easily. Unknown to him, the town’s called in a Pastor from Australia with a desire to get rid of the rabbits that crosses into an obsession.

Proselytizing the moral dangers the rabbits represent, he drags a young pregnant teenager with him wherever he goes, as proof positive that sin has heavy consequences. Connecting her out-of-wedlock pregnancy to a rabbit infestation by a thin, religiously-fueled thread, the Pastor’s solution is to kill the rabbits--all of them. What follows is an adventure of mystery, magic, adolescence, and romance. Cora must figure out how to save Basajaun’s friends, reveal the Pastor’s true evil, and help Nellie escape his prison home.

It’s important to read Basajaun for the story. As a first novel, it reads a bit like one with some awkward transitions, characterizations, and confusing, unexplained events. The magic of Van Deuren’s writing is that it’s still pleasing and drives the story forward. It’s easy to become involved in the mystery and suspense of the plot. Van Deuren is an earnest writer and there are passages that rise above the rest, giving us a peek of the seasoned writer she’ll no doubt become. For example, the scene where Cora walks unexpectedly into a moment of privacy between Nellie and Henry is pulled off very tastefully. Hints and allusions serve the mood while reactions explain what could very easily have turned into a detailed, two-dimensional description. This scene was one of my favorites. It had a lot of emotion without being over the top and captured the awkward age of the trio beautifully. Henry also developed a bit more dimension as a character as we find out some of the difficulties he’s faced and his constant struggle to fit in.

Basajaun is at heart a story about freedom and the trials one has to undergo to get it. There’s also a focus on what it means to be happy and how romance fits into happiness. To really get into the spirit of the tale, you have to let yourself believe in the many charming ideas Van Deuren imagines, such as sentient bunnies and marmots, a necklace with transformative abilities, and, among others, the determination of children to save those in need, even if they don’t--or can’t--speak.

I developed a soft spot for Basajaun. When I read the synopsis, I was reminded of another story with sentient animals at the mercy of human hunters: “The Secret of NIMH.” It was one of my favorite movies (I never read the book) growing up. Already interested, I was surprised when the author was generous enough to send me a proof copy. There are some technical errors that were most likely fixed for the final edition, although some elements of the plot were probably left alone. I do wish Cora had an actual reaction when Basajaun started to talk, but can only imagine the explanation lies somewhere in the power of childhood imagination. Who are children to question when animals satisfy a secret desire by actually talking back? A child may accept it as fact without question, but for the sake of the reader, the moment would have felt less awkward and unimportant, if Cora shared our surprise. After all, Basajaun talking is anything but unimportant.

I also wanted a better ending for Henry, the character I found myself liking the most. Cora’s dismissal of him at the end seemed too cruel without including him in the epilogue to sate my curiosity. But this wasn’t Henry’s story. It belongs to Cora and Basajaun.

With time I’m sure Van Deuren will smooth out the rough edges of her talent and continue to write fantastical stories that become reminiscent of little legends. I enjoyed reading Basajaun and a grateful to Rosemary Van Deuren for the opportunity. :)(less)

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Jun 25, 2009 Sarah rated it 2 of 5 stars

I was drawn to this book by its unique concept. I had never imagined a world of sentient rabbits that communicate with humans and thought the idea had limitless potential. I was hooked in right away by the strong, Scout Finch-esque leading character and the evil, demented pastor bent on destroying all rabbits.

Great character building aside, I didn't find anything in the book that kept me hooked. I never found myself wanting to read it and so I fell to reading only when I had nothing else to do....more

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Jun 30, 2009 Jadewik rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Younger Audiences (kids 6-10)

Shelves: fantasy, i-own, firstreads

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. It's difficult to write a review on this book... It is quite unique both in concept and presentation. On one hand, I enjoyed the characters and the camaraderie. I also enjoyed the plot-- or at least I did for the most part. On the other hand, it felt the end was a bit choppy and didn't belong. It almost felt like two separate books. There was also a super-short exposition. So, I have mixed-feelings. I was entertained, but neither loved it or hated it. I would read it again, which is why I gave i...more It's difficult to write a review on this book... It is quite unique both in concept and presentation. On one hand, I enjoyed the characters and the camaraderie. I also enjoyed the plot-- or at least I did for the most part. On the other hand, it felt the end was a bit choppy and didn't belong. It almost felt like two separate books. There was also a super-short exposition. So, I have mixed-feelings. I was entertained, but neither loved it or hated it. I would read it again, which is why I gave it 3-stars as opposed to 2-stars.

When you first start the story, it jumps right into the plot filling in all the gaps in exposition as the story goes-- how the Priest got to this town, why he was there, etc. It would have been nice to have included at least a portion of the troubles of the town's food issues... how did the famine start? Drought? Was it the rabbits? Were there troubles with food prior to the rabbits coming to town? I'm assuming that it was all the rabbits' fault, but it would have been nice to have the situation explained a bit better in detail instead of mention in passing. Maybe have some rabbits get into silos or caught in gardens-- something to indicate the overpopulation-- wouldn't you see them all over the place or see evidence-- corn or grain with teeth marks or scat in the farm area? I don't know much about rabbits, but I didn't get the feeling that they were EVERYWHERE because of how little they were mentioned.

I DID love how Cora met Basajaun. (I also liked the explanation of the rabbit names later in the novel.) I felt that her meeting with Basajaun and their development as characters in the novel were very strong. You could feel the mutual love between this young girl and this rabbit.

I liked the father (Walter) and Henry as characters as well. I felt they could have become bigger characters-- and should have been bigger characters. Their presence in the second half of the novel was suddenly squelched. Here they were helping Cora and Basajaun at the front of the novel, then they aren't seen much, then they make a brief comeback... and are sort of stuffed into a corner.

I was REALLY into the book up to the point where the Nellie comes back to the Priest in the fourth shed... That should have been the point of climax... but it was very anti-climatic and out-of-character for me. There was no scuffle between the Priest and Cora's father-- granted he WAS a coward, but if he had the guts to go to the shed you'd think he'd throw a fist or something! Nellie basically just gave herself up.... whereas before she'd been trying to get away from the Priest-- granted she was trying to get back to her lover... but still... two people in bondage still means they can't see each other... it was messed up logic for me. Cora is freed to be midwife and help the Priest... why didn't she whack him over the head and run away with Nellie and her beau? The Priest seemed so vulnerable there... It was just a weird out-of-character scene for me... and then, before you knew it, it was over and the second "half" of the book starts.

I could have lived with the whole baby development and the rabbit/human scenario if there was more indication of magic in the first half of the novel. The necklace was magic, but knowing a little more about how Nellie got it would have been nice at the time Cora got it. Cora seems to be the questioning sort (she blurted out a question in that meeting), so why wouldn't she question the necklace when she got it? Why wouldn't she ask Nellie how it worked after she felt its success? It seemed like things would be explained later, but the explanation wouldn't really jive...

I know that seems like a lot of negative for this book to have 3-stars... but it really was a sweet book. I couldn't put it down for the first half of the novel. It was fast-paced. It was interesting. I loved the concept. I loved the different adventures-- the chase scene, the visit with the Chief, the run-in with the Constable, the meetings in town, etc. I just felt this should have been a 400-page book with a little more "meat" to explain and develop things better and tie the two "halves" of the novel together.

I'd still recommend it... though for younger audiences... kids 6-10, maybe. Adults may feel as though there are too many questions left unanswered and too many details that have been excluded.

To Meet FTC Guidelines, I'm disclosing that I won this book-- for free-- VIA Goodreads First Reads.(less)

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May 27, 2009 Patty rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: readin09

I picked up this book at the Ann Arbor book fair last week. The author was there at her little table selling them and told me a bit about it and that she self-published it, creating Wooden Smith publishing! She did a great job presenting her fantasy novel and I'm enjoying the read even though it is probably aimed at young adult readers. (Doris, if you don't care for anamorphism, this one is not for you.)

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Feb 24, 2010 Ljubica rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: scifi-fantasy-horror

The concept of this book makes for an enjoyable read, but the language used does not take me back to 1906. Instead, I feel as if the setting is rural North America in the 1930's. Having said that, the book was entertaining.

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Mar 24, 2010 Eric Orchard rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult-middle-reader, fantasy

An amazing, unique and beautifully written story. A fantasy in the tradition of Watership Down but even darker.

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Jun 25, 2009 J.M. marked it as wishlist

Saw this on the Goodreads Giveaways and thought it looked neat.

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Jan 07, 2013 Lindsey marked it as to-read

Oct 19, 2012 Christina marked it as to-read

Shelves: 2012-finish

Dec 05, 2011 Nathan is currently reading it

Jun 22, 2011 Melissa rated it 3 of 5 stars

Mar 06, 2011 Melissa marked it as to-read

Dec 01, 2010 Orrin Grey marked it as to-read

Aug 14, 2010 Christian is currently reading it

Mar 27, 2010 Annie marked it as to-read

Shelves: fantasy-land

Mar 24, 2010 Steve Morrison marked it as to-read

Dec 10, 2009 Shinynickel marked it as to-read

Dec 04, 2009 Megan marked it as to-read

Shelves: written-by-someone-i-know, want-to-own

Nov 25, 2009 Kelli rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: animals

Nov 20, 2009 Raina marked it as to-read

Nov 11, 2009 Inoli marked it as to-read

Nov 10, 2009 Tracey marked it as to-read

Nov 10, 2009 Shellie (Layers of Thought) marked it as to-read

Recommended to Shellie (Layers of Thought) by: Misty

Shelves: age-young-adult, spec-fic-sf-alt-history, spec-fic-fant-paranormal

Nov 10, 2009 Lisa marked it as to-read

Nov 08, 2009 Misty marked it as to-read

Shelves: own, signed

Oct 28, 2009 Blackjohn35 added it

Oct 27, 2009 Tani marked it as to-read

Oct 08, 2009 Krys marked it as to-read

Shelves: arcs-i-no-longer-have, animals, short-length-book, young-adult, small-indie-self-publishers, stand-alone

Aug 29, 2009 D.B. Pacini marked it as to-read

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About Rosemary Van Deuren

Rosemary Van Deuren is a former arts and entertainment interviewer and columnist for The Idler website (idlermag.com), where she interviewed actor Neil Jackson, writer Peter S. Beagle, artist and writer Wayne Barlowe, actor Mark Indelicato, concept artist and art director Peter Konig, and many more. The Idler was chosen by The Writer's Guild of America West for their "Hotlist" in June, 2011.

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