100 Cupboards and Dandelion Fire by N.D. Wilson
I recently borrowed 100 Cupboards and Dandelion Fire by N.D. Wilson (also author of Notes From The Tilt-A-Whirl). These are the first two books of a children’s trilogy, in which a boy named Henry, while visiting his uncle and aunt in rural Kansas, finds a hundred doorways to other worlds. Some of these worlds are sinister and perilous, and (inevitably) adventure ensues.
Cover art for 100 Cupboards
Although intended for younger readers, I very much enjoyed these books (and look forward to reading the final volume). They are well-written, and reminiscent of Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time, or Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes. The second volume opens like this:
“Kansas is not easily impressed. It has seen houses fly and cattle soar. When funnel clouds walk through the wheat, big hail falls behind. As the biggest stones melt, turtles and mice and fish and even men can be seen frozen inside. And Kansas is not surprised.”
Kansas is surprised at some of the things that come out of the cupboards, though. Nevertheless:
“Sometimes standing against evil is more important than defeating it. The greatest heroes stand because it is right to do so, not because they believe they will walk away with their lives.”
Overall, the best children’s fantasy I’ve read in a while. See here and here for other reviews.
100 Cupboards and Dandelion Fire by N.D. Wilson: 4 stars
2 comments:
A child staying with their aunt and uncle, who live in Kansas?
How do the books deal with the linkage with Oz?
Yes, indeed, an aunt and uncle, who live in Kansas.
There are magical lands, wizards, and a Dorothy or two, but nothing like Oz.
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