As part of our ongoing work around the readers ’bookshelf, we asked the staff to share their thoughts on some of the inspirational texts in the collection.
This week, Mary Croty, program coordinator at The Reader, tells us what The borrowers By Mary Norton tells her.
Lyrics by Mary Crotty
“Kate,” she said after a moment, “stories never really end. They can go on and on and on. Only sometimes, at some point, you stop telling them.” – The borrowers By Mary Norton
A warm hug from a book. A story that embraces the imaginary and the whimsical. The premise of this tale is one that lingers in that special place in our minds that is occupied with vague childhood memories and emotions. Even if you did not read this book as a child, I did not read, it must have occurred to you that the existence of tiny people, tiny animals or tiny creatures living in your home will improve immeasurably. What kid doesn’t want tiny people running around under their floorboards? Tiny friends who use dollhouse furniture, who use cotton spools as stools, and use absorbent paper as rugs.
B The borrowers, We dive into the underground life of Pod, Homily and Arrietty Clock. A family made up of aging professional scoundrels, a nervous but proud mother, and a slightly strangled daughter who desperately needs a friend and adventure.
Now to the important questions. I want to know how borrowers make tiny stoves that work, how they cook their tiny meals, sit down and eat their tiny dinners. This story tries to answer some of these questions, leaving the others a mystery. This in itself has the wonderful effect of letting the human imagination reach its own conclusions, ensuring that this story really does not end.
In conclusion, a healthy and enjoyable atmosphere from this book. The 1997 film is also really good. I remember watching Jim Broadbent, Celia Emery and John Goodman over and over again. I think there must be something in the idea of tiny living beings that always attracts a child’s imagination. Equally, there is also something in seeing objects used in ways that are not meant to be used, bottles as plates for example, that it is incredibly creative and satisfying. Therefore, read about your personal responsibility to feel comforted and inspired gently.