I Just Read About That…

 SOUNDTRACK:

[READ: January 20, 2024] Reynard’s Tale

I’ve really enjoyed all of Ben Hatke’s books.  He tends to write children’s books.  And, given the size of this book, I thought it would be a children’s story as well.

But it isn’t.  It’s not fully adult or anything, but the word “bastard” does appear and it is clear from the (superb) drawings that sex has been had–nothing explicit, and maybe a child wouldn’t get it, but…

The book is roughly 80 pages with an illustration on every other page.  I love the way that Hatke draws Reynard, the fox, as pretty much all nose and hat–very expressive without actually seeing a face.

Reynard is the classic Trickster.  As the story opens, he is sitting in the woods thinking of his love.  His reveries are broken by Collar the Crow (who is a priest) who comes with a summons from the King and a blessing.

Reynard flees to the river where his boar awaits.  He is sidetracked somewhat by the rivermaidens.  But he takes his boat to town where the keeper of the Inn is happy to see him. Reynard doesn’t mean to stay (he never does), but he spends the night.

But the Crow and the king’s wolf Isengrim have tracked him down.

He flees and travels through the lonely, cold wilderness until he reaches the Underworld.

He spends time with Lady Death until Isengrim tracks him down.  Reynard promises upon his word that he will return if Death shows him the way out for now.

He travels back to his home where a woman and a child wait for him.  The child has a tail.  Is someone trying to trick the trickster?

The ending is strangely satisfyingly.