Random thoughts on EGGS, by Jerry Spinelli:
Finished EGGS the other night. A great character study. Though I felt that nothing really drove the story hard enough, needed more plot, more happenings, more scenes with drive and purpose. David and Primrose (loved their quirkiness), the main characters, basically argued and acted like brother/sister the entire way through until the end. I get that both of them come from tough situations but the only thing driving the story is their fickle friendship and David not wanting to see a sunset and wanting his Mom to come back....
Sorry, David, it ain’t happening.
I wanted Primrose’s mom to become meaningful in David's life but she was, according to both David and Primrose, nothing but a fortune-telling “crackpot.”
And where is David’s dad throughout the story? Working in Connecticut. So David's grandma, who David hates, watches him throughout the week.
There are fantastic exchanges between David and Primrose and scene descriptions in Spinelli-like fashion. He creates so much with so few words. A master at work.
However, I wanted more from this story. More resolution. I didn't feel fully satisfied after reading the last page. Felt like when the credits rolled to Revolutionary Road, a movie that I really liked. The ending left my insides in turmoil. EGGS didn't quite leave me in turmoil but it didn't leave me with any character change. I envisioned the characters keeping on like they are. They didn't grow enough. I know it's hard to change that much when you're 9 and 13 years-old, but isn't that what characters do? They change on the page right in front of our shifting eyes.
Hate to critique Spinelli, a Newbery winner and writer who has had his finger on the pulse of middle grade readers for years, but everyone needs a good rib shot every once in a while. It's what keeps our fingers tapping and stories flowing in a better, more efficient way.
Jerry, if you're reading (which I'm 100% sure you're not), don't take this random thought compilation to heart, I've had plenty of rib shots. But I've recovered from them all.
I think...
I'm recommending Spinelli's STARGIRL and LOVE, STARGIRL in an upcoming column.
ReplyDeleteEggs wasn't my favorite Spinelli either, although I love the Easter egg hunt scene. I agree with you that not much happens. My favorite is Maniac Magee (no shocker there) and also really liked Wringer. I liked Stargirl, but the sequel...not so much. Couldn't get into it at all.
ReplyDeletePMM: I can't believe you didn't love LOVE, STARGIRL! It's 'cause you're a stinking boy, that's why. Humph.
ReplyDeleteI've heard good things about Stargirl, but there's only so many books I can read between grading papers, changing diapers, and writing.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite Spinelli's are Maniac and Wringer. Just read Smiles to Go. It was okay. Kind of science/proton/universal mystery driven. Not really my thing. Also, the main character kind of sold out at the end and didn't do something I REALLY thought he needed to do.
I feel that sometimes Spinelli's main characters take it to the brink of breakthrough and then back away don't go for IT enough. Hope that makes sense.
It probably is because I'm a stinking boy.
ReplyDelete