A Little Fear

Patricia Wrightson might just be one of the best authors of the 20th century, and hardly anyone seems to have heard of her. I am thrilled that I was able to find this discarded library book--I only needed one look at the cover with the mischievous old woman sitting by the plant (I have a different edition than pictured here) to know that this was a gem. The jacket made its premise even more promising: Wizened independent woman versus the forces of nature, which are concentrated into the form of a little spirit. The book delivers mightily on its teaser. What is surprising is the depth of description, the richness of voice, and the discerning care of the author in every aspect of this tale. Wrightson takes what could have been a run-of-the-mill children's story about man versus nature and turns it into a verbal masterpiece. Her sensitivity to the beloved dog companion, the land-spirit, and most of all, the pioneer-like woman is phenomenal. The book is a joy to read, to experience, to savor. While I and a friend had some contention over the resolution (I thought it was perfect, the friend thought it needed some extra concluding events), we both agreed the story was entertaining, thought-provoking, and simply a model of story-telling. This short novel is appropriate for all ages, although it is best accompanied by lively discussion. In short, a highly recommended read.