Given the style and time period in which the novel is set, the writing captures a similar tone and plot flow as a Willa Cather or Mark Twain, and Elijah is easily as entertaining a character as Tom Sawyer or Huck Finn. Also, rather than relying on the classic plot styles of comedy or tragedy, with the typical beginning, middle, and end—the conflict heightening throughout the text and resolving near the conclusion—Curtis creates a series of loosely conjoined smaller stories with lesser, individual conflicts and resolutions. Similar to My Antonia, the plot seems more like a river than a mountain, winding slowly back and forth throughout the narrative. This is perfect for the style and subject matter given that it’s supposed to be a series of average stories in the life of a boy living in the historical township of Buxton during a time period rife with turmoil, especially for recently freed slaves.
Not only is this a great historical piece, with Curtis obviously doing his homework to represent the language, setting, characters and subplots accurately, but it’s a potent social commentary regarding racism in America. The stories are entertaining as well as well written and the language is beautiful. Curtis’s ability to pull the reader into the text, creating empathies for the characters, and through their eyes, all of the slaves throughout America is astounding. This piece has the capability to be life changing for kids and adults alike, and I recommend it to anyone 9+.
Critique
Given the style and time period in which the novel is set, the writing captures a similar tone and plot flow as a Willa Cather or Mark Twain, and Elijah is easily as entertaining a character as Tom Sawyer or Huck Finn. Also, rather than relying on the classic plot styles of comedy or tragedy, with the typical beginning, middle, and end—the conflict heightening throughout the text and resolving near the conclusion—Curtis creates a series of loosely conjoined smaller stories with lesser, individual conflicts and resolutions. Similar to My Antonia, the plot seems more like a river than a mountain, winding slowly back and forth throughout the narrative. This is perfect for the style and subject matter given that it’s supposed to be a series of average stories in the life of a boy living in the historical township of Buxton during a time period rife with turmoil, especially for recently freed slaves.
Not only is this a great historical piece, with Curtis obviously doing his homework to represent the language, setting, characters and subplots accurately, but it’s a potent social commentary regarding racism in America. The stories are entertaining as well as well written and the language is beautiful. Curtis’s ability to pull the reader into the text, creating empathies for the characters, and through their eyes, all of the slaves throughout America is astounding. This piece has the capability to be life changing for kids and adults alike, and I recommend it to anyone 9+.
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http://www.lindseyslibrary.com/2007/08/elijah-of-buxton/