I remember being frustrated at the way that Menolly was treated, when I read this as a kid. As an adult, and with modern eyes, she was suffering both physical and mental abuse by her parents.
pickI received this book as part of the Library Thing Early Reviewers program. It was great! I particularly liked the fact that the book was extra tall, which fit with the theme of jumping high. I was left with the sense that the lead character might be autistic, especially with his single-minded dedication and uncommunicativeness. If nothing else, it told a message of love and patience and tolerance, and the rewards of all of these.
A few stories in to the collection, and so far so good! It might as well be a direct continuation of Daft Wee Stories, but to be fair that‘s exactly what I was hoping it would be.
pickI just finished listening to this audiobook, although I had read the novel several times over the course of my life. I was struck at how structureless it is, with conflicts arising and being resolved without the sort of building action, climax, falling action pattern you get out of most fiction. It‘s more a series of vignettes, but it builds the world in a satisfying way.
After inhaling “Daft Wee Stories”, I‘m about to embark on Limmy‘s second book of thoughtful, humorous, and altogether Scottish short fiction.
