A review by ruben_franz
Rikki-Tikki-Tavi by Jerry Pinkney, Rudyard Kipling
4.0
Disclaimer: Reviewer is not a native speaker. Read in German translation first (Peter Kleinhempel, Brigitte Struzyk). Re-read.
Kipling as a person, especially in his later years, may be someone about whom opinions differ. Another artistic figure who comes from a completely different time, and yet must be read in the light of the present. The burden of timeless success it seems.
Completely independent of the evaluation of his attitudes and ideologies, his work stands. A work that brought India to Europe in a completely new way. A work that lives most vividly in the short stories. A work that, with a few lines, can breathe into an unknown being (whether human or animal) a personality all its own. In Rikki-tikki-tavi, one of my favorite stories as a child, this is particularly evident. A short story, only a few characters. A mongoose as hero, two cobras as villains. Two tailor birds who support the hero, a human family as emotional anchor for a readership of the time. Short, concise prose that bounces back and forth between tension and release in quick succession. Perfect for a child eager to turn to the next page. Also perfect for a child to read about animals that don't play a role in his or her own life, but spark curiosity precisely because of that.
All in all, a short read that is fun and touches on other realities of life along the way. Clear recommendation for children and young people, as well as a read-aloud book. Recommendation with slight restrictions also for adults. Those who are not in constant contact with their inner child may feel underwhelmed by the simple structure of the story and the schematic presentation of most of the characters. You can't have it all.
Kipling as a person, especially in his later years, may be someone about whom opinions differ. Another artistic figure who comes from a completely different time, and yet must be read in the light of the present. The burden of timeless success it seems.
Completely independent of the evaluation of his attitudes and ideologies, his work stands. A work that brought India to Europe in a completely new way. A work that lives most vividly in the short stories. A work that, with a few lines, can breathe into an unknown being (whether human or animal) a personality all its own. In Rikki-tikki-tavi, one of my favorite stories as a child, this is particularly evident. A short story, only a few characters. A mongoose as hero, two cobras as villains. Two tailor birds who support the hero, a human family as emotional anchor for a readership of the time. Short, concise prose that bounces back and forth between tension and release in quick succession. Perfect for a child eager to turn to the next page. Also perfect for a child to read about animals that don't play a role in his or her own life, but spark curiosity precisely because of that.
All in all, a short read that is fun and touches on other realities of life along the way. Clear recommendation for children and young people, as well as a read-aloud book. Recommendation with slight restrictions also for adults. Those who are not in constant contact with their inner child may feel underwhelmed by the simple structure of the story and the schematic presentation of most of the characters. You can't have it all.