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Book Summary:
A smug little china rabbit lives in comfort with his owner, a girl named Abilene. Although Abilene loves Edward, the rabbit, he is incapable of returning her affection. One day, Abilene’s grandmother—who actually commissioned Edwards’ creation—tells harrowing story about a princess who was turned into a hedgehog and murdered, all because she could not love. Not long after, Abilene and her family embark on an ocean voyage. One day, two boys steal Edward away from Abilene, and in the ensuing game of keep-away, Edward goes sailing over the railing and sinks to the bottom of the ocean, where he remains for 297 days. Then a great storm sifts him up from the bottom, and he is discovered by an old fisherman named Lawrence. Lawrence takes the rabbit home to his elderly wife Nelly, who mistakes Edward for a girl and names him Susanna. Although Edward is initially displeased at wearing a dress, he gets used to being Nelly’s plaything, especially after he learns that she lost a child when she was young. When Nelly and Lawrence’s awful daughter Lolly shows up to visit, she thinks her mom is daft for playing with a toy and chucks Edward in the trash when her mom isn’t looking.
At the dump, Edward is buried in garbage for some time until he is discovered by a dog named Lucy. Lucy takes him to her master, a hobo named Bull. He renames Edward Malone and creates clothing for him, taking him to all the local hobo gatherings. The hoboes confide their true stories to Edward, and Edward continues to grow by listening to them. He stays with Bull and Lucy for seven long years. When Bull and Lucy are discovered on a train, the railroad security officer kicks Edward off the moving train, and once again he is alone.
Eventually, he is picked up by an old woman who re-purposes him as a scarecrow in her garden and re-names him Clyde. One day, a young boy who works on the property sees the bunny. His name is Bryce and he rescues Edward from the crows, stealing him for his sick sister Sarah Ruth. The children live a sad existence. Their mother is dead and their father is an abusive drunk, yet Edward brings Bryce and Sarah Ruth joy. Bryce ingeniously turns Edward into a puppet that can dance and dubs him Jangles.
When Sarah Ruth passes, Bryce confronts his drunken father and then runs away with Edward to Memphis. There he works in the street playing his harmonica and making ‘Jangles’ dance. After earning a few coins on the street, Bryce goes to a diner to eat some food, only to discover he doesn’t have enough money. In his anger, the proprietor, Neal, smashes Edward against the counter breaking him.
Desperate to save Edward, Bryce gives him to the Lucius Clarke, the doll mender. Lucius does fix Edward, but afterwards, he refuses to even allow Bryce to come visit him. In Lucius’s eyes Edward is a valuable toy meant to be displayed, not played with. Years go by and Edward remains on the shelf, unloved and looked over, until one day, a little girl comes in and wants him. This little girl is no other than Abilene’s daughter. Abilene promptly purchases Edward, and the book draws to a close, having come full circle.
APA Reference:
DiCamillo, K. (2006). The miraculous journey of Edward Tulane. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.
Impressions:
I have probably read thousands of books in my lifetime, but I can count the number that has made me cry on one hand. This is one of them. I literally bawled in almost every chapter. In fact, my husband thought something was wrong with me!
Although this is a modern fantasy, it has many of the characteristics of folktales. Time moves rapidly in the book, and there are many repeated elements, such as Edward watching the stars with each of his owners. There is also a propensity for things to happen in proverbial threes, such as Abilene telling him three times that she loves him. Pellagrina, Abilene’s grandmamma, and the creator of Edward, even uses a fairy tale to warn Edward. Most of the characters in the book are flat, but the book’s emotional poignancy hinges on Edward’s unlikely character development, where is he transformed from a vapid, shallow, vain plaything, to a very human-like creature who longs to be loved and to love in return. Edward truly becomes human through his many experiences. I also don’t think it was an accident that Edward is made out of china, an extremely fragile medium that makes him all the more vulnerable in the eyes of readers. His physically vulnerability underscores the emotional vulnerability of readers’ whose imaginations are constantly besieged by unwelcome realities. It is telling that later in the book, when his little heart feels pain, Edward says he is broken before his head ever meets the table in that diner. The cruelty of certain life situations in the book are understated, which makes them all the more emotionally powerful.
Although the ending of the book is somewhat contrived, that doesn’t make me love it any less. Furthermore, DiCamillo has a great sense of pacing. The story covers many years, yet it passes in the blink of an eye. Her language is understated, but beautiful, and echoes some of the rhythms and repetitions of oral language. For example, in remembering his former owners, DiCamillo writes, “Their names went through Edward’s head like the notes of a sad sweet song.” She then has Edward give a profound monologue that echoes some of the cumulative tales of childhood. Her repetition and use of anaphora is especially compelling. She writes, “‘I have already been loved,’ said Edward. ‘I have been loved by a girl named Abilene. I have been loved by a fisherman and his wife and a hobo and his dog. I have been loved by a boy who played that harmonica and by a girl who died. Don’t talk to me about love,’ he said. ‘I have known love’”(p.182).
For me, the devastating part of the book was not what happens to Edward. The cruelty of realism, wielded as weapon, wounded me much more than Edward being trapped in the muck at the bottom of the sea. Time and time again in the book, we see realists trample upon the fantasy life of others, with devastating effects. For example, Lolly, Lawrence and Nelly’s daughter, throws Edward in the trash after discovering her mother playing with him. To her, playing with a rabbit is a daft form of dementia instead of play that meets an emotional need to deal with the couple’s loneliness and the loss of a child. To be honest, it reminded me of the Lady in the Water.
This same type of psychological cruelty rears its head over and over again in the book. I think this speaks to the power of imagination, how it gives us hope and allows us to cope with often bitterly painful every day realities. We see this when the hoboes tell Edward their stories and again when Bryce brings Edward home to the ailing Sarah Ruth. Because I believe in the power of stories, I found this theme extremely poignant and touching. We need more stories like this one in our lives. This reminds us that sometimes we find the truth in lies, in stories.
Professional Review:
Once again, DiCamillo harkens back to an older storytelling style, filled with magic and the transformational power of love. Edward Tulane is a china rabbit--dapper and serious and more than a little superior. His mistress, Abilene Tulane, loved him and "thought almost as highly of Edward as Edward thought of himself." Edward is interested in little beyond his own comfort and beauty. Indeed, everyone except for Abilene's grandmother, Pellegrina, condescends to him. She commissioned his making, ordered his dapper clothing and smart pocket watch and, in the end, demanded a good deal more of Edward than he thought he wanted to give. Her warning, "You disappoint me," thrusts Edward into the adventure that becomes his life. He learns about love, loss and consequences. Somewhere between fairy tale and fable, DiCamillo spins the tale of Edward, transformed by the lives he touches. The reader will be transformed too. Sumptuous gouache illustrations complement the old-fashioned, dramatic narrative. Keep the tissues handy for this one. (Fiction. 7+)
[Review of the book The miraculous journey of Edward Tulane, by K. DiCamillo]. (2006). Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/kate-dicamillo/the-miraculous-journey-of-edward-tulane/
Library Uses:
Since stars are a recurring motif in the novel, maybe it would be fun to set up an impromptu planetarium in the library. Using Google Sky, you could pull up interactive tours of different constellations. This could easily be turned into a game where students try to correctly identify the correct ones, such as the Big Dipper and Little Dipper, Orion, et al. Librarians could prepare a clear space in the center of the library and procure a projector to project the digital images on the ceiling. The space could be made more comfortable by asking students to bring a pillow, blanket, or sleeping bag. Students could have paper colored stars with their names on them and then work in small groups to create their own constellations. Maybe the event could even be framed as Camping Out with Edward Tulane event, complete with smores. This might even be a fun way to host a parent event, inviting parents to hang out with their children and look at the stars together.
By the same token, it might also be neat to work with students to build a Google Earth Tour to show Edward’s journey, although not all locations in the book are as specific as, say, for example, Memphis, and might require a little ingenuity on the behalf of librarians and teachers. Students could research the different locations, add images, and text messages to the map, and chart Edward’s path to create a rich, multimedia experience for other readers.
A smug little china rabbit lives in comfort with his owner, a girl named Abilene. Although Abilene loves Edward, the rabbit, he is incapable of returning her affection. One day, Abilene’s grandmother—who actually commissioned Edwards’ creation—tells harrowing story about a princess who was turned into a hedgehog and murdered, all because she could not love. Not long after, Abilene and her family embark on an ocean voyage. One day, two boys steal Edward away from Abilene, and in the ensuing game of keep-away, Edward goes sailing over the railing and sinks to the bottom of the ocean, where he remains for 297 days. Then a great storm sifts him up from the bottom, and he is discovered by an old fisherman named Lawrence. Lawrence takes the rabbit home to his elderly wife Nelly, who mistakes Edward for a girl and names him Susanna. Although Edward is initially displeased at wearing a dress, he gets used to being Nelly’s plaything, especially after he learns that she lost a child when she was young. When Nelly and Lawrence’s awful daughter Lolly shows up to visit, she thinks her mom is daft for playing with a toy and chucks Edward in the trash when her mom isn’t looking.
At the dump, Edward is buried in garbage for some time until he is discovered by a dog named Lucy. Lucy takes him to her master, a hobo named Bull. He renames Edward Malone and creates clothing for him, taking him to all the local hobo gatherings. The hoboes confide their true stories to Edward, and Edward continues to grow by listening to them. He stays with Bull and Lucy for seven long years. When Bull and Lucy are discovered on a train, the railroad security officer kicks Edward off the moving train, and once again he is alone.
Eventually, he is picked up by an old woman who re-purposes him as a scarecrow in her garden and re-names him Clyde. One day, a young boy who works on the property sees the bunny. His name is Bryce and he rescues Edward from the crows, stealing him for his sick sister Sarah Ruth. The children live a sad existence. Their mother is dead and their father is an abusive drunk, yet Edward brings Bryce and Sarah Ruth joy. Bryce ingeniously turns Edward into a puppet that can dance and dubs him Jangles.
When Sarah Ruth passes, Bryce confronts his drunken father and then runs away with Edward to Memphis. There he works in the street playing his harmonica and making ‘Jangles’ dance. After earning a few coins on the street, Bryce goes to a diner to eat some food, only to discover he doesn’t have enough money. In his anger, the proprietor, Neal, smashes Edward against the counter breaking him.
Desperate to save Edward, Bryce gives him to the Lucius Clarke, the doll mender. Lucius does fix Edward, but afterwards, he refuses to even allow Bryce to come visit him. In Lucius’s eyes Edward is a valuable toy meant to be displayed, not played with. Years go by and Edward remains on the shelf, unloved and looked over, until one day, a little girl comes in and wants him. This little girl is no other than Abilene’s daughter. Abilene promptly purchases Edward, and the book draws to a close, having come full circle.
APA Reference:
DiCamillo, K. (2006). The miraculous journey of Edward Tulane. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.
Impressions:
I have probably read thousands of books in my lifetime, but I can count the number that has made me cry on one hand. This is one of them. I literally bawled in almost every chapter. In fact, my husband thought something was wrong with me!
Although this is a modern fantasy, it has many of the characteristics of folktales. Time moves rapidly in the book, and there are many repeated elements, such as Edward watching the stars with each of his owners. There is also a propensity for things to happen in proverbial threes, such as Abilene telling him three times that she loves him. Pellagrina, Abilene’s grandmamma, and the creator of Edward, even uses a fairy tale to warn Edward. Most of the characters in the book are flat, but the book’s emotional poignancy hinges on Edward’s unlikely character development, where is he transformed from a vapid, shallow, vain plaything, to a very human-like creature who longs to be loved and to love in return. Edward truly becomes human through his many experiences. I also don’t think it was an accident that Edward is made out of china, an extremely fragile medium that makes him all the more vulnerable in the eyes of readers. His physically vulnerability underscores the emotional vulnerability of readers’ whose imaginations are constantly besieged by unwelcome realities. It is telling that later in the book, when his little heart feels pain, Edward says he is broken before his head ever meets the table in that diner. The cruelty of certain life situations in the book are understated, which makes them all the more emotionally powerful.
Although the ending of the book is somewhat contrived, that doesn’t make me love it any less. Furthermore, DiCamillo has a great sense of pacing. The story covers many years, yet it passes in the blink of an eye. Her language is understated, but beautiful, and echoes some of the rhythms and repetitions of oral language. For example, in remembering his former owners, DiCamillo writes, “Their names went through Edward’s head like the notes of a sad sweet song.” She then has Edward give a profound monologue that echoes some of the cumulative tales of childhood. Her repetition and use of anaphora is especially compelling. She writes, “‘I have already been loved,’ said Edward. ‘I have been loved by a girl named Abilene. I have been loved by a fisherman and his wife and a hobo and his dog. I have been loved by a boy who played that harmonica and by a girl who died. Don’t talk to me about love,’ he said. ‘I have known love’”(p.182).
For me, the devastating part of the book was not what happens to Edward. The cruelty of realism, wielded as weapon, wounded me much more than Edward being trapped in the muck at the bottom of the sea. Time and time again in the book, we see realists trample upon the fantasy life of others, with devastating effects. For example, Lolly, Lawrence and Nelly’s daughter, throws Edward in the trash after discovering her mother playing with him. To her, playing with a rabbit is a daft form of dementia instead of play that meets an emotional need to deal with the couple’s loneliness and the loss of a child. To be honest, it reminded me of the Lady in the Water.
This same type of psychological cruelty rears its head over and over again in the book. I think this speaks to the power of imagination, how it gives us hope and allows us to cope with often bitterly painful every day realities. We see this when the hoboes tell Edward their stories and again when Bryce brings Edward home to the ailing Sarah Ruth. Because I believe in the power of stories, I found this theme extremely poignant and touching. We need more stories like this one in our lives. This reminds us that sometimes we find the truth in lies, in stories.
Professional Review:
Once again, DiCamillo harkens back to an older storytelling style, filled with magic and the transformational power of love. Edward Tulane is a china rabbit--dapper and serious and more than a little superior. His mistress, Abilene Tulane, loved him and "thought almost as highly of Edward as Edward thought of himself." Edward is interested in little beyond his own comfort and beauty. Indeed, everyone except for Abilene's grandmother, Pellegrina, condescends to him. She commissioned his making, ordered his dapper clothing and smart pocket watch and, in the end, demanded a good deal more of Edward than he thought he wanted to give. Her warning, "You disappoint me," thrusts Edward into the adventure that becomes his life. He learns about love, loss and consequences. Somewhere between fairy tale and fable, DiCamillo spins the tale of Edward, transformed by the lives he touches. The reader will be transformed too. Sumptuous gouache illustrations complement the old-fashioned, dramatic narrative. Keep the tissues handy for this one. (Fiction. 7+)
[Review of the book The miraculous journey of Edward Tulane, by K. DiCamillo]. (2006). Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/kate-dicamillo/the-miraculous-journey-of-edward-tulane/
Library Uses:
Since stars are a recurring motif in the novel, maybe it would be fun to set up an impromptu planetarium in the library. Using Google Sky, you could pull up interactive tours of different constellations. This could easily be turned into a game where students try to correctly identify the correct ones, such as the Big Dipper and Little Dipper, Orion, et al. Librarians could prepare a clear space in the center of the library and procure a projector to project the digital images on the ceiling. The space could be made more comfortable by asking students to bring a pillow, blanket, or sleeping bag. Students could have paper colored stars with their names on them and then work in small groups to create their own constellations. Maybe the event could even be framed as Camping Out with Edward Tulane event, complete with smores. This might even be a fun way to host a parent event, inviting parents to hang out with their children and look at the stars together.
By the same token, it might also be neat to work with students to build a Google Earth Tour to show Edward’s journey, although not all locations in the book are as specific as, say, for example, Memphis, and might require a little ingenuity on the behalf of librarians and teachers. Students could research the different locations, add images, and text messages to the map, and chart Edward’s path to create a rich, multimedia experience for other readers.