Scan barcode
mat_tobin's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book but found myself enjoying [b:The Bee-Man of Orn|1229029|The Bee-Man of Orn|Frank R. Stockton|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320499380s/1229029.jpg|1217577] more. As with The Bee-Man, Stockton has written a modern fairy tale of sorts and I have found his work reminding me a lot of Baum's [b:The Wonderful Wizard of Oz|236093|The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Oz, #1)|L. Frank Baum|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1398003737s/236093.jpg|1993810] . Here, the relationship between fantastical creatures and humans often sees a role reversal in who truthfully display the more humane disposition.
The story tells us of the last griffin who, upon finding out that the local cathedral has a stone statue of his likeness, descends on the town only to be confronted by the Minor Canon who has been forced by the people to deter the griffin and send him on his way. Through one thing and another, an unlikely - and rather one-sided - friendship is forged and the griffin decides to stay and assist the Minor Canon in his duties. With it not being in his nature to be cruel or horrible to anyone, the Canon endures this but as the seasons pass, the time for the Griffin to eat looms...
The Griffin and the Minor Canon is a wonderful little parable of intolerance. The townspeople are quick to spurn those those who do not fit it whether because of how they look differently or for the fact that they challenge their ideas: quite a fitting text for today's classroom.
I cannot end my review by not mentioning Sendak's illustrations of course. These illustrations precede Where the Wild Things Are and it is interesting to see how joyously he plays with the image of the large and, potentially scary Griffin, being around children - a precursor to Max and his Wild Things, certainly.
The story tells us of the last griffin who, upon finding out that the local cathedral has a stone statue of his likeness, descends on the town only to be confronted by the Minor Canon who has been forced by the people to deter the griffin and send him on his way. Through one thing and another, an unlikely - and rather one-sided - friendship is forged and the griffin decides to stay and assist the Minor Canon in his duties. With it not being in his nature to be cruel or horrible to anyone, the Canon endures this but as the seasons pass, the time for the Griffin to eat looms...
The Griffin and the Minor Canon is a wonderful little parable of intolerance. The townspeople are quick to spurn those those who do not fit it whether because of how they look differently or for the fact that they challenge their ideas: quite a fitting text for today's classroom.
I cannot end my review by not mentioning Sendak's illustrations of course. These illustrations precede Where the Wild Things Are and it is interesting to see how joyously he plays with the image of the large and, potentially scary Griffin, being around children - a precursor to Max and his Wild Things, certainly.
desirosie's review against another edition
5.0
What a poignant story. I feel like stories like these don’t get written so much anymore. I’m glad I found it on the library shelf.
storyphoria's review
3.0
An interesting tale about the true power of kindness and good deeds, all wrapped in a "fantastic and deadly beast" format.
You can listen to me narrate it on the AIC Stories podcast soon over at http://aicstories.com
This is just the second work from Frank R Stockton that I've read, the first being popular 'The Lady or the Tiger' and I'm really finding I enjoy his writings. This one is a quick read(or listen if you want to hear me narrate it I suppose) that is well worth the time!
There is a message about humanity that, I believe, is vitally important to where we are today as people in these trying times. It always fascinates me just how much these authors are able to write stories of pure fiction that share a message that can be impactful no matter how much time passes.
You can listen to me narrate it on the AIC Stories podcast soon over at http://aicstories.com
This is just the second work from Frank R Stockton that I've read, the first being popular 'The Lady or the Tiger' and I'm really finding I enjoy his writings. This one is a quick read(or listen if you want to hear me narrate it I suppose) that is well worth the time!
There is a message about humanity that, I believe, is vitally important to where we are today as people in these trying times. It always fascinates me just how much these authors are able to write stories of pure fiction that share a message that can be impactful no matter how much time passes.
loonkin's review
4.0
Interesting children's book that I didn't discover until I was an adult. I have yet to read it to a wee one to see their reaction.
bookbelle5_17's review
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is one of my favorites of this collection "Unnatural Creatures" put together by Neil Gaiman. It reads like a fairytale/folktale and was a charming read. I love how its main creature is a griffin as we don't see a lot of stories with a Griffin main character. I liked the relationship had with the Minor Canon.
mat_tobin's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book but found myself enjoying [b:The Bee-Man of Orn|1229029|The Bee-Man of Orn|Frank R. Stockton|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320499380s/1229029.jpg|1217577] more. As with The Bee-Man, Stockton has written a modern fairy tale of sorts and I have found his work reminding me a lot of Baum's [b:The Wonderful Wizard of Oz|236093|The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Oz, #1)|L. Frank Baum|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1398003737s/236093.jpg|1993810] . Here, the relationship between fantastical creatures and humans often sees a role reversal in who truthfully display the more humane disposition.
The story tells us of the last griffin who, upon finding out that the local cathedral has a stone statue of his likeness, descends on the town only to be confronted by the Minor Canon who has been forced by the people to deter the griffin and send him on his way. Through one thing and another, an unlikely - and rather one-sided - friendship is forged and the griffin decides to stay and assist the Minor Canon in his duties. With it not being in his nature to be cruel or horrible to anyone, the Canon endures this but as the seasons pass, the time for the Griffin to eat looms...
The Griffin and the Minor Canon is a wonderful little parable of intolerance. The townspeople are quick to spurn those those who do not fit it whether because of how they look differently or for the fact that they challenge their ideas: quite a fitting text for today's classroom.
I cannot end my review by not mentioning Sendak's illustrations of course. These illustrations precede Where the Wild Things Are and it is interesting to see how joyously he plays with the image of the large and, potentially scary Griffin, being around children - a precursor to Max and his Wild Things, certainly.
The story tells us of the last griffin who, upon finding out that the local cathedral has a stone statue of his likeness, descends on the town only to be confronted by the Minor Canon who has been forced by the people to deter the griffin and send him on his way. Through one thing and another, an unlikely - and rather one-sided - friendship is forged and the griffin decides to stay and assist the Minor Canon in his duties. With it not being in his nature to be cruel or horrible to anyone, the Canon endures this but as the seasons pass, the time for the Griffin to eat looms...
The Griffin and the Minor Canon is a wonderful little parable of intolerance. The townspeople are quick to spurn those those who do not fit it whether because of how they look differently or for the fact that they challenge their ideas: quite a fitting text for today's classroom.
I cannot end my review by not mentioning Sendak's illustrations of course. These illustrations precede Where the Wild Things Are and it is interesting to see how joyously he plays with the image of the large and, potentially scary Griffin, being around children - a precursor to Max and his Wild Things, certainly.
More...