SATURNALIA [Hardcover]

Fleischman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1990

In 1681 in Boston, fourteen-year-old William, a Narraganset Indian captured in a raid six years earlier, leads a productive and contented life as a printer's apprentice but is increasingly anxious to make some connection with his Indian past.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this rich and alluring historical novel, Fleischman ( Joyful Noise , Graven Images , Paths of the Pale Horse ) examines the attitudes of Puritan society, while focusing on the White Man's treatment of Indians and servants. At the center of the story is William, a Narraganset Indian who has been taken under the wing of Mr. Currie, a kind-hearted printer. Others in the cast include neighboring Bostonians: a hypocritical tithingman, a self-important wigmaker trailed by his not-so-loyal manservant, and a woodcarver haunted by his past. The action takes place around the time of Saturnalia, the day on which ancient Romans traded places with their slaves. Although few townspeople practice the pagan ritual, on that day many experience ironic twists of fate. With exceptional skill, Fleischman evokes an aura of days gone by through a series of interrelated vignettes. Offering lyrical prose, resonant themes and a tragicomic tone, this story will captivate those who seek a challenging and enlightening read. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up-- On a "tombstone-cracking" cold morning in 1681, the tithingman begins his rounds in Boston, "walking the lightless lanes of sin." His first stop is at the home of Currie the printer, where readers first meet his apprentice William, a 14-year-old Narraganset Indian boy whose story weaves throughout the book. A variety of characters, some of whom flourish in the day and others who people the night, are introduced in a series of meetings and happenings that seamlessly link up one to another. The relationship between master and servant, which is literally turned upside down during the celebration of the ancient Roman holiday Saturnalia, is the theme of this haunting story. The backdrop is King Philip's War and specifically the Great Swamp fight of December 19, 1675, in which a Narraganset settlement near Boston was attacked and burned down. Six years later young William searches for his twin brother and his heritage; Mr. Speke, the wood carver, seeks atonement and relief from his nightmares of the battle; and Mr. Baggot, the tithingman, thirsts for revenge for his slain grandchildren. Comic relief is provided by the pompous wigmaker's pursuit of a wealthy widow and his girl-chasing, thieving manservant, whose own pursuit of the widow's serving girl lands him in mud, garbage, and other equally messy settings. Although some readers may be initially confused by the number of characters so quickly introduced, the masterful way Fleischman brings their stories together makes for an unforgettable tale. The writing is lyrical with somber tones, bright and lively notes, and quiet, thoughtful stretches. A very special book for a special audience. --Amy Kellman, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 113 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 1st edition (May 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060219122
• ISBN-13: 978-0060219123
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,270,423 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Paul Fleischman grew up in Santa Monica, California, the son of children's book author Sid Fleischman. Drawing on history, music, art, and theater, his books have often experimented with multiple viewpoints and performance. He received the Newbery Medal in 1989 for JOYFUL NOISE: POEMS FOR TWO VOICES, a Newbery Honor Award for GRAVEN IMAGES, the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction for BULL RUN, and was a National Book Award finalist for BREAKOUT. He lives on the central coast of California.

For more information, visit paulfleischman.net.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Better than expected, September 21, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Saturnalia (Paperback)

I was mainly looking for some shorter books for some of my students who aren't great readers when I bought this book. I had really liked Whirligig, by this author, so I wanted to see some of his other work. It's really a nice little book, better than the review indicated. It's a quick read and all of my students who read it liked it very much.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read it in one sitting!, May 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Saturnalia (School & Library Binding)

Paul Fleischman is a great experimenter when he writes young adult fiction, and this is another example of his virtuosity. This delicately written historical fiction foreshadows the rise in black slavery in America. With other examples of historical fiction, it shows the struggles and inconsistancies of beliefs by colonists at the time. I am not surprised the "Reader from Seattle, Washington" did not like it. Any book read over a two month period would kill me. This type of book needs to be read over a short period of time to preserve the mood and characterizations. Why do teachers do this to students? I cannot wait to share it with the students in our library at school.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Atmospheric read, June 21, 2002

By 

kennedy19 "kennedy19" (wakefield, ma USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Saturnalia (Paperback)

This slim volume is a good historical fiction glimpse for young adults. It tells the story of William, a young Narraganset Indian who was captured in King Philip's war, and now serves a printer in Boston, where he is treated kindly and learns to study books and English ways. By day he is English, and by night William sneaks out and scours the December streets looking for his lost Indian brother. Though the plot focuses on William, the book is full of colorful characters of the Puritan city, some ridiculous, others tragic. What I like most about this book is the cimenatic way in which our focus is led from one character to another, keeping the perspectives fresh and interesting. (For this reason I think the book would make a good film for television.)Fleishman has done a good job of conjuring up the atmosphere of early Boston, and the eerie world of the dark city at night. Because the book is so short, I'm not sure Fleishman does entire justice to the complex themes he has raised - the struggle of the young Indian between two cultures, the struggle within the English colonists between Puritan strictness and the human need to have fun (in ways such as celebrating the ancient Roman holiday for which the book is named), etc. Nor does it entirely resolve the fates of some of the characters, such as the wood carver who seeks to atone for his wartime past. Nonetheless, this is an enjoyable, atmospheric, and original read.