Friday, August 08, 2014

Reread #32 The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Kate DiCamillo. 2006. Candlewick. 200 pages. [Source: Bought]

I enjoyed rereading The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. I hadn't read it in years, and it was definitely time to read it again. Edward Tulane, the "hero" of the novel is a porcelain rabbit. He is the prized possession of a little girl, a spoiled little girl, named Abilene. Though between Abilene and Edward Tulane, it is Edward with the biggest ego. He is a very conceited toy. Abilene's grandmother feels this somehow. That Edward does not love anyone or anything but himself. That Edward hasn't a clue what love is. During the novel, Edward will learn at high cost what love is all about. He won't do it as Edward though.

Edward Tulane goes on a vacation with Abilene and her family. Abilene is being teased by some bullies on the ship. Her precious Edward Tulane is grabbed up and tossed about and in fact tossed overboard. Edward Tulane is later fished out of the sea, but, his life has taken a different path. He's got new owners. These new owners will be the first in a long line of new owners.

With each new owner, with each new phase in his life, Edward is renamed, almost reborn. It doesn't take long for him to become a very changed rabbit. He learns to listen. He learns to feel compassion or pity. He learns to feel fear and pain. And most importantly he learns to love, truly love.

Will his journey have a happy ending?!

I definitely enjoyed this one. It is very satisfying. It's an emotional journey that this little toy takes over several decades. While Edward Tulane may not have started out a likable protagonist in the beginning, by the end, it's hard not to love him.

© 2014 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

1 comment:

Suko said...

Becky, I enjoyed your review. I read this a few years ago and your review made me smile.