Setting
Dive into the heart of Australia, where the captivating tale unfolds across the sprawling expanse of Wongadilla, a sheep ranch sprawling over five thousand acres. This vivid backdrop, integral to the narrative, explores the profound connection between humans and their natural surroundings. Within Wongadilla's boundaries lie a tapestry of natural wonders—a flowing river, meandering creeks, a mysterious swamp, lush forests, and a majestic sweep of mountain ranges. It is a realm both untamed and breathtaking, far removed from the hustle and bustle of urban life.
Initially, Simon, a city-bred soul, finds himself overwhelmed by this raw and untamed landscape. Yet, when Charlie Waters, the master of Wongadilla and Simon's distant kin, suggests, "It'll be yours some day if you want it," Simon is struck with fear. Over time, he discovers an enlightening truth: true ownership of the land is an illusion, and at best, we can only act as its stewards. Embracing this newfound duty becomes a pivotal part of Simon's journey towards rediscovering the essence of home, which he once believed perished alongside his parents.
Literary Qualities
Wrightson's prose is celebrated for its elegant simplicity and vivid imagery. Her words are minimal yet packs a punch, offering clarity with precision. She paints scenes with arresting visuals: the wind "drew the fire up the chimney like a corkscrew;" the mountaintop's stillness is "a great quiet, like a roomful of giants thinking;" "the sky was sugared with stars;" "dripping water rang its silver gongs." Her narrative rhythm perfectly matches the essence of the scenes she describes, seamlessly blending varied sentence structures. Short, straightforward statements mingle with the more intricate compound and complex sentences, creating a harmonious flow. Characters' dialogues reflect their unique voices. The nature spirits articulate in a ceremonious, somewhat old-fashioned style, rich with imagery, rhetorical inquiries, and inverted statements. The Potkoorok speaks in riddles, "Does stone grow? When the wind rubs over it and the rain beats it and the frost squeezes it, does a stone grow bigger? The small Nargun will grow smaller. Watch your toes, Frog Boy or one day they may be bitten." Edie and Charlie, on the other hand, converse in a laid-back, clipped manner: "Just a bit of a storm, it won't last;" "Should be near here;" and "Potkoorok scare you?"
Creating Tension and Suspense
Wrightson masterfully weaves a tapestry of events that heighten tension and suspense throughout the storyline. One notable instance occurs on a stormy night when Simon ventures out, exhilarated by the sight of the Turongs and Potkoorok concealing the road grader. Overcome with joy, he feels an urge to dance and shout. Yet, his return to the house is fraught with dread as he stumbles upon the Nargun, plunging him into a heart-stopping fear as he waits in the shadows, desperate to comprehend this mysterious presence before fleeing in terror. Wrightson contrasts this looming threat with the playful antics of the Potkoorok, gently balancing the narrative's tension with lighthearted mischief.
For Further Reference
Babbitt, Natalie. In a discerning critique titled Review of A Little Fear by Patricia Wrightson, Babbitt, a prominent American fantasy author for young readers, praises Wrightson's work in the The New York Times Book Review (November 13, 1983): 440. Babbitt highlights that Wrightson's writing stands out purely due to its remarkable quality.
Gilderdale, Betty. In "Patricia Wrightson," found within Twentieth Century Children's Writers, edited by D. L. Kirkpatrick. Published in New York by St. Martin's, 1978, this piece offers a succinct autobiographical glimpse and a critical essay on Wrightson's creations, penned by Gilderdale.
Heins, Ethel. Delving into The Nargun and the Stars by Patricia Wrightson, Heins' review in Horn Book 50 (August 1974): 382-383 offers succinct yet positive remarks on the novel, written during Wrightson's relatively obscure phase in American literary circles.
Saxby, H. M. In A History of Australian Children's Literature. Vol. 2. Sydney: Wentworth Books, 1971, Saxby provides a concise evaluation of Wrightson's formative works.
Shaner, Mary. "Twentieth-Century Children's Fantasy" in Masterworks of Children's Literature: The Twentieth Century. Vol. 8. New York: Chelsea House, 1986, contains a brief yet insightful analysis of The Nargun of the Stars as a mythical fantasy narrative.
Townsend, John Rowe. In A Sense of Story. Boston: Horn Book, 1971, Townsend crafts an essay on Wrightson's literary contributions before 1971, offering particularly illuminating sections on I Own the Racecourse!
Written for Children. Boston: Horn Book, 1974. This compilation provides concise observations on works such as The Rocks of Honey, Down to Earth, and I Own the Racecourse!
Wrightson's Insights and Reflections
Wrightson, Patricia. In "Ever Since My Accident: Aboriginal Folklore and Austrian Fantasy," Horn Book 56 (1980): 609-617, Wrightson offers an invaluable exploration of her integration of Aboriginal folklore with fantasy elements.
"The Fellowship of Man and Beast," published in Horn Book 61 (1985): 38-41, is a concise essay highlighting the vital connection between humanity and nature.
In "The Geranium Leaf," found in Horn Book 62 (1986): 176-185, Wrightson elaborates on her insights into the interconnectedness of all natural elements and emphasizes its significance in children's literature.
