The Silver Donkey:-
Freinds, I always reads social books in Hindi, but this time, I gone through a social book in English which comes in the category of children books. I bought it from pedestrian open air bookshop due to its content that was written on its backcover and kept in my library ‘to read’. But somehow not got chance to read it earlier. But the curiosity to read this novel always in mind and I read it recently.
About the Authoress: - Australian authoress Sonya Hartnett wrote her first novel in the age of 13 and her first novel(Trouble All the Way) was published at the age of 15. The class of reader of their stories and novels belongs to children and youth. She was awarded by many awards. She got lot of controversies and criticism for his novel “Sleeping Dogs”(1995). She got CBC Book of the Year and Courier Mail award in 2005 for “The Silver Donkey”.
Book Summary: - A French village, during the time of First World War, two sisters ‘Coco’ and ‘Marcele’ reached to forest and found a Man laying there. Both were thought that person was dead and they frightened. The Person who was laying there got awake by hearing the sound of both girl and asked to come forward. Both girls came closer to person and asked the introduction after giving their own introduction. Person gave his introduction as Lieutenant Shepherd, a soldier, flee from the war and temporarily blind. Lieutenant told them that his team members were died in war and his younger brother is sick, that’s why he wants to go home which is across the sea. He told them his agony that he does not want to come in notice of villagers because a soldier who quits the wars will be punished by death penalty.
Coco and Marcele feel pity for the soldier. Coco saw a small and golden silver donkey in the hand of soldier. Soldier told them that this silver donkey is his lucky charm that is given by his younger brother. Soldier told them a story about an old female donkey(jenny or jennet), who helped a couple. The Jennet helped to takes pregnant wife to distant city and takes them safely from there.
Soldier take 3 days shelter in that forest, during that time Coco and Marcele introduce her brother Pascal to him. According to Coco and Marcele, Pascal is intelligent and he will help soldier to cross the river. Soldier told them 3 stories in 3 days, in which donkey is shown as extraordinary animal. Stories were very well presented by soldier about the donkey and these were very interesting also.
Coco, Marcele, Pascal and a Pascal friend helped soldier on every aspects. Children helped soldier with food, clothes and shelter. While Coco and Marcele were in school, they were thinking about the soldier all time. They did not tell the about the soldier to their parents. Coco wants the silver donkey from soldier. Children tries to send the soldier across the sea so that he can met with his younger brother.
The stories narrated by the soldier makes many changes in children. They decided their aim and goals. These stories are like a flame which illuminates the light in core of human. These stories teach the many moral values things for children like bravery, sacrifice, self-reliance, love, social service etc. Analysis: - Freinds, the beginning of the story of this novel is very thrilling. Both girls found an unknown soldier looks like very mysterious. The language of this novel is very simple and this can be given to students to read it. Children and students learn many things from this novel. Well, this novel is not only for children, young people can learn a lot from it also. You can see this novel by the perspective of youth and young people and the perspective of innocence of children.
Soldier sees the fortune, hope and inspiration in the silver donkey and same he shared these moral values to children using stories. Soldier reflects through the stories of donkey that these animals were always seen as dispensed eyes of human, they are brave and loyal to human. Although these stories are imaginary and fictional but children can easily learn the moral values by thinking that these are real stories. Every story shows vastly and simply about patience, discipline, reliability, courage, love and service.
In a story of this novel, a fact was explained very well. In First World War, British soldier used donkeys as stretchers to take the wounded soldier to Doctor’s camp, from war zone. Authoress used this idea in a story which was told by Lieutenant to Pascal after his repeatedly request to hear the story of war-zone. Similarly, donkeys were used a carrier of explosive materials in Afghanistan war. Normally, donkeys were used as domestic animals, to do some domestic work. Meat of this animal was relished by peoples in China and Italy. While, In Australia, there are many organization are working to preserve the donkeys. After reading this book you will fell the hatred for the people of China and Italy, who eat the flesh of this innocent animal.
The Coco’s character is a very innocent girl of 8 years old and hers characterization by authoress is very well. She does not want that soldier go to his village because she loves silver donkey. While, Marcele is depicted as a sensible girl who helps and take care of soldier. The 13 years old, Pascal, is presented as smart and intelligent boy, who helps the soldier to cross the sea. He also wants to know the stories of war; this is a reflection of the growth in maturity. Novels centre character, Soldier, was characterized as brave, struggler and self-esteemed person.
Harnett used some locations and meaningful words very nicely. Her stories takes place the fraction of complex and strong topics which is presented without any seriousness. Every character is newly coined and it seems that imagination used very nicely to characterize them. Authoress characterizes every character very deeply and closely. In addition, authoress presented the beautiful view of French village through her words.
It looks like that authoress is trying to teach some lessons but moral and spiritual values didacticism fully visible here. Novel depicts the paradoxes of war with heart-touching. While, your heart will be shocked when you will see the humanity and bravery to help the other people in problems and time of crisis. Every story is written meaning-fully and it will encourage reader to read it.
The book cover is extremely fine where a shiny donkey shown. I want to say thanks to Penguin publication for printing this novel in fine writing and fonts. Authoress used some hand crafted images to explore the story as well.
Happy reading….
Rajeev Roshan