Guest Column: Red Between the Lines
Mature reading from the "young adult" section.

I entered Saint Joseph's University as an education major, convinced that I would return to my high school to teach. But midway through my second semester, a friend from high school who wound up at SJU with me helped me decide to switch to an English major, something that I had been contemplating lightly. Six years later, I have that English degree, a master's in writing studies, and work as a writer, thanks in part to that friend.

Since then, I've paid it forward by inspiring at least one person (or so she's told me) to jump head first into the blogosphere, and now I get the opportunity to let that first friend see what writing online is like. Perhaps this will inspire him to blog. So, without further adieu, I give you the first in a series of who knows how many columns from guest writers. If you want to write for me - FYI, I pay nothing - feel free to leave a comment.

Red Between the Lines
by Matt Switliski

If you avoid the bookstore’s young adult section for fear of being seen, you’re missing out on some real gems of fantasy. Pullman’s His Dark Materials, L’Engle’s Time Quartet, and Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia are proof that enjoyable literature isn’t just on the grown-up shelves. Take as another example Brian Jacques’ Redwall.

The first in a long-running series, Redwall tells the story of Matthias, a bumbling neophyte mouse in the Order of Redwall Abbey. Marching upon the abbey with his horde is Cluny the Scourge, the most sinister rat in all of Mossflower. Matthias plays a key role in defending against Cluny, and soon enough he quests to follow in the footsteps of Martin the Warrior, Redwall’s greatest hero. Along the way he exhibits wisdom, courage, and a steadfast will as he braves dangers and finds unlikely allies.

As I was reading, I couldn’t help but wonder whom Jacques intended the book for. The cast of woodland creatures and a very textbook heroic journey gave the initial impression that it was squarely aimed at younger readers. Getting deeper in, I realized I might be wrong. There’s more gruesome death than I’d expect in a family-friendly title, and words that even I don’t recognize—“stentoriously,” anyone?—gear it toward a more mature, more literate audience. The fact that Jacques needs to tack an adjective onto almost everything will give those readers pause, though.

Redwall’s familiarity is both the tale’s greatest strength and greatest weakness. The characters are pure archetype; so too is the plot derivative enough to border on cliché. Even so, you can’t help but inwardly cheer as the forces of good inevitably prevail. There is an unmistakable charm in the little world, perhaps because it is so conventional.

If you can get past the trite tropes and overdone prose, you’ll find a simple delight of a story. If, however, you’re looking for more innovation in your fantasy offerings, Redwall won’t be to your taste.

*** of 5