The title of this book is so important. Little Sasha is living through WWII. He is a very young boy and his mother calls him Little Rabbit. Sasha lives in a small village in Russia. When the German soldiers march in they brutally destroy his beautiful village. This very young boy is possibly the only survivor because he has been able to run away from, as he describes them, the 'handsome monster princes'. Sasha finds himself lost in the forest but he eventually stumbles on a camp of Red Army soldiers. This group, led by Major Fyodor Gagarin, are on the move desperate to rid their beloved homeland of the scourge of the German army. Sasha is welcomed into the group, given a tiny uniform and some important, non combative duties. And so Little Rabbit begins his march across the land to Stalingrad.
So now you have some idea about the title words Rabbit and Soldier. You will need to read this gripping account to understand Angel and Thief.
Sasha tells his story, from his hospital bed, as a series of recounted incidents. We are left in suspense as to how he arrived in the hospital and how he survived the horrors of the war. Using objects he 'collects' from his hospital ward, Sasha gradually shares the memories of his journey over the previous three years and, even more importantly, we meet the men and women who kept him safe. Katrina Nannestad has created such real people in her characters. especially Major Fyodor Gagarin who Sasha fondly calls Papa Scruff.
There is a very appealing structure to this book which has the dual effect of making it easy to read; helping to move the story forward; and working as a device that creates anticipation for the reader as we wait to find out why each object is so important as a memory trigger for Sasha.
One of the aspects of the writing in this book that I really appreciated was the way Katrina Nannestad creates powerful contrasts. For example in the early scenes we read about all the pretty flowers in the village - sunflowers, sun kissed strawberries, larkspur, daffodils and cherry trees covered in blossoms. Then we read about the arrival of the German soldiers and there are words such as hard boots, kicking doors, and stomp, stomp stomp. Then, later, near the end of the book we read about tanks rolling into the city with flowers in their cannons. Such a joyous scene. Another truly special aspect of this book is comes from the way Katrina Nannestad imbues Sasha with deep tenderness and an emotional intelligence well beyond his tender years. I have to say his tiny heart certainly touched mine.
Katrina explains in her author notes that this while this book is entirely fiction is was inspired by a real boy called Sergi Aleshkov who joined the Red Army when he was between six and eight years of age.
This book will hit the shelves of your favourite bookstore on the 27th October. I strongly suggest you order your copy now so you can get your hands on this book the day it arrives. If you subscribe to a standing order service this book is sure to be in your October selection for the school library. Huge thanks goes to Beachside Books for my advance copy of Rabbit, Solider, Angel, Thief.
You know I am slightly obsessed with covers - how perfect is this one. Congratulations to Martina Heiduczek on her beautiful design. Martina also did the cover for We are Wolves which means these two books will look splendid when placed together on your shelves and the published edition will be in hardcover for a really great price.
Naturally you will want to read We are Wolves by Katrina Nannestad which also explores the experiences of children during a war. I am going to predict we will see Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief short listed for many Australian book awards. Here are some other Katrina Nannestad books I have also read and enjoyed:
No comments:
Post a Comment