Brian Jacques and 'Doomwyte'
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By Rocco Staino -- School Library Journal, 12/10/2008
School Library Journal caught up with English author Brian Jacques while he was completing a book tour for Doomwyte (Philomel, 2008), the 20th novel in his bestselling "Redwall" fantasy series, first published in 1986. Keep an eye out for The Sable Quean, scheduled for release in Autumn 2009.
The Redwall series is entering its third decade. What’s the secret to its longevity?
I have always written for my audience. My audience is children, and they haven’t changed in the last 20 years. There will always be the magic of childhood. I also think it helps that each book is a completely separate story. You can put all the "Redwall" books into a sack and pull one out and read it without having to read any of the others.
It seems your fan base is mostly boys between the ages of 10 and 12.
I don’t subscribe that it is only boys. I have just as many girls waiting to have books autographed as boys. On this recent tour, I had a girl come to a signing dressed as Mariel Gullwhacker (the fictional anthropomorphic mouse from the "Redwall" series). In all my stories there is at least one heroine mixed among the three groups. I named one of my characters after a young female fan. Her name was Laura, and I mixed the letters of her name and created Arula, an anthropomorphic mole.
Tell us one of your favorite stories involving your fans.
In the late 80s, I received a letter from a boy named Matthew Bassett who told me he was president of The Redwall Fan Club. In reply, I sent him posters and other Redwall items. When I was invited to speak at his school he quickly wrote to me to explain that he had lied. He told me that the fan club consisted of only his brother, mother, and him. When I arrived at the school I made sure that Matthew was the one who introduced me!
My latest book, Doomwyte, is dedicated to a fan. Donald Reese Axtell, 22, of Texas has been reading Redwall books since the age of 10. Now married with two children of his own, he was just released from Walter Reed Hospital after losing both his legs in Iraq. I write about warriors, and he is a true warrior. I was glad that he was able to come to my book signing in Houston.
Why do you have such detailed descriptions of food in your books?
My inspiration comes from a starving childhood. Growing up during World War II, food was rationed. I remember that my aunt had this Victorian cookbook with fabulous illustrations. I used to read it and fantasize about the dishes. Feasts have become just as important parts of my books as riddles, battles, and quests.
Now you’re writing picture books. Why?
I love bears, and Urso Brunov and the White Emperor (Philomel, 2008) is about a bear who is the size of a thumb. Nevertheless, he is the Little Father of All Bears. It takes place in the snowy region atop the world and has elements of a Russian/Slavic folktales.
Several of your works have even been translated into other medium, including opera. Have you been happy with the results?
Giving your book to the media is like putting your child in an orphange. You don’t know how it is going to come out. I tried to keep tight reign on the scriptwriters. I would write large criticisms in red on the script, mostly four letter words.
What would you like your literary legacy to be?
When my grandchildren are as old as I am, that people will still find my books in bookstores and libraries. I couldn’t ask for more than that. Good children’s literature is the most enduring of popular literature. I hope my work will endure.
