Gudgekin, the Thistle Girl, and Other Tales

by John Gardner

A humble thistle girl, a wise old philosopher, a hapless woodchopper, and an unscrupulous king—these are the vivid protagonists of Gardner’s masterful book for children. Richly and humorously drawn, they face challenges at every turn. And in a realm where any one of these unconventional heroes might triumph, the reader will delight in expecting the unexpected! Inventive and illustrative, entertaining and edifying, these four stories demonstrate the quirky challenges of distinguishing between good and evil and living happily ever after.

Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories, Fairy Tales, Childrens, Fiction, Mythology

55 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1976

About the author

John Champlin Gardner was a well-known and controversial American novelist and university professor, best known for his novel Grendel, a retelling of the Beowulf myth.

Gardner was born in Batavia, New York. His father was a lay preacher and dairy farmer, and his mother taught English at a local school. Both parents were fond of Shakespeare and often recited literature together. As a child, Gardner attended public school and worked on his father's farm, where, in April of 1945, his younger brother Gilbert was killed in an accident with a cultipacker. Gardner, who was driving the tractor during the fatal accident, carried guilt for his brother's death throughout his life, suffering nightmares and flashbacks. The incident informed much of Gardner's fiction and criticism — most directly in the 1977 short story "Redemption," which included a fictionalized recounting of the accident.

From Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gar...

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains a handful of short stories presented in the style of folk tales, that seem relevant to modern life, as the best folk tales often are. These tales are likely to appeal to adults and children (aged about 10 and above) - I thoroughly enjoyed them.

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as a child and only remember the titular tale

[Matt Gaither · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m afraid to go back and read the Gardner books that I remember loving.

[Eleanor Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this today as part of my personal project to reread every John Gardner book on my shelf. For years I told people Gardner was my favorite author, but a few weeks ago I realized I hadn't read any of his books in thirteen years, since my daughter was born and my life changed completely.

Gudgekin was not as charming or clever as I remembered, but it was somewhat clever and somewhat charming. John Gardner doesn't write girls and women very well, a flaw I overlooked when I was younger.

The other stories held up better. Original fairytales are the genre I like best, and I've read some very good ones in the time since I first read Gudgekin Thistle Girl. Even though they weren't what I remembered, I was satisfied.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you enjoy folk or fairy tales, you might be a potential reader of John Gardner's story collection. The book contains four stories: "Gudgekin the Thistle Girl," "The Griffin and the Wise Old Philosopher," "The Shape-Shifters of Shorm," and "The Sea Gulls."

I think my favorite story is Gudgekin the Thistle Girl. The heroine is a poor girl named Gudgekin. Every day she gathers thistles for her stepmother. The stepmother is never, never satisfied. But Gudgekin keeps going out to do her best. One day a fairy intervenes and her luck is seemingly changed forever. With the fairies help, she's able to appease her stepmother and please herself. The fairies do the work, while she's spirited away to have fun. One day--again with the fairies help--she meets a Prince who falls in love with her. You might think you know where this one is headed, and, in a way you'd be right. But it is how long it takes for these two to get to happily ever after that may surprise you.

The second story confused me greatly. After the fifth or sixth time through the first two or three pages, it finally clicked that maybe just maybe it was intentional. The griffin visits the poor villagers to distract, confuse, and frustration. No one can remember how to do anything when he is nearby. Eventually I found the rhythm of this story. I still don't like it.

The Shape Shifters of Shorm, the third story, was entertaining. I liked it. But I didn't really love it. Essentially, a kingdom is being bothered by shape-shifters, the king offers an award for anyone who rids the kingdom of all the shape-shifters. A few step forward and volunteer for the task. But none are ever heard of again. Why?!

The Sea Gulls is an odd story. It contains plenty of magic, some spells, etc. I think it is an appealing enough story for readers. Essentially in that story, a king is met one day by an ogre who wants to eat him. The king says let's play a game of chance. If you win, you eat me. If I win, you wait seven years and eat me and my children then. The king won. (He cheated.) Most of the story is set seven years later....

[Ali Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Gardner's slightly askew fairy tales are amazing. They are funny and creepy and they stay with you. I've been searching for a new edition of this since I lost the battered copy I had as a kid.