The subjects of Paul Gallico’s books are recognizable and simple, as they are found on the pages of many publications. But the author manages not only to talk about his heroes and arouse compassion in young readers, but to teach them friendship, the ability to forgive, fidelity and responsibility for those they love.
Who is the author?
Paul Gallico was born in 1897 in New York into a family of immigrants. There he graduated from high school and entered Columbia University, after which he worked as a film critic. For "too smart" reviews, he was removed from this post, transferred to the sports department and in 1923 was appointed its editor in the Daily News. Gallico became one of the most famous sports commentators, the organizer of amateur boxing competitions “Golden Gloves”, but he always wanted to realize himself in the literary field as a writer.
The future author of the story “Jenny” Paul Gallico (photo presented in the article above) wrote articles and short stories. In 1936, he sold one of his stories to the movies and went to Europe to do writing. The first published work was “Farewell to Sports”. The name of the author was known in America, but after the release of "Snow Goose" in 1941, they started talking about him around the world.
During the Second World War, he was a war correspondent and freelance writer. The writer traveled a lot, lived in England, Monaco, Mexico, Liechtenstein. He died in 1976 in Antibes.
How does it write?
The author of the story "Jenny" Paul Gallico was a professional storyteller. He was fond of fishing, hunting, was an excellent yachtsman, traveled by car in America. The writer lacked talent, knowledge, sincerity, tact and skill to captivate the reader, make him empathize with the heroes and reflect on serious things. Many of his books tell about animals, which is not surprising, because the writer had a dog and 23 cats in the house, of which at least five works were written.
One of the features of the style of Paul Gallico, "Jenny" is a vivid example of this, is frankness. If he wants readers to know that his character was kind, he says, "He had a kind heart." If, on the contrary, he is cynical, then the writer does not go around the bush, writes: "Completely cynical." This is the strength of his works - sincerity, clearly stated details and the impeccable style of a folk tale.
What is he writing about?
The stories of Paul Gallico, including Jenny, may seem naive and banal, but they are fascinating and imply that the inhuman character has a human spirit. In his small works, cruelty and mercy, love and hate are found. The writer is so beautiful, delicate and wise to present them that they do their job - they help to find the right solutions prompted by the heart, they teach to love, forgive, understand and be more tolerant of each other. For instance:
- In a short story "Witch's Doll" fit ten years of pain, despair, struggle. Dr. Emoney, walking around the city, saw a strange doll in the shop window. The rag toy was "sewn on a marvel", as if not from shreds, but from flesh and blood. It turned out that their vulgar ulcer brings. Soon, she called the doctor to Mary's sick sister, and he realized who sewed these lovely dolls radiating love and kindness. As readers write in reviews of Paul Gallico’s books, Jenny, The Little Miracle, Flowers for Mrs. Harris, they teach mercy.
- The book The Adventures of Hiram Holliday, published in 1939, tells of a carefree American knight who came to Europe before the outbreak of World War II. He is fighting against the Nazis, saving the Austrian princess and little son, who, after defeating fascism, is destined to become the new emperor.
- "Snow Goose" talks about the artist Philip, who lives alone on a lighthouse. With a disfigured body and a repulsive appearance, he created real beauty. Once Frida brought him a wounded goose. The artist went out and cured him, and the girl saw that Philip was not at all ugly, but handsome and noble.
No less exciting are the novels The Adventures of Poseidon, Lou Goering, Mrs. Arris Goes to Paris, which grew out of the legend Lyudmila, Love for Seven Dolls, touching stories about animals Thomasina and Jenny, about which we will talk in more detail.
Who is Jenny?
The fairy tale story of Paul Gallico “Jenny” tells the story of a boy who turned into a kitten. Lonely and homeless, he finds friends among the four-legged cloisters of the city. Jenny's cat became his mentor and best friend. Offended by people, she eschews them. Jenny tells Peter about feline laws and regulations. He, in turn, teaches her to understand a person, kindness and be able to accept love.
The story in Paul Gallico’s book “Jenny” begins with an introduction to the main character. The boy lies in bed sick and recalls that he always wanted to have a kitten. Mom, who did not want to sit at home while her father was in the service, was not up to her son. The nanny, who looked after the boy, hated cats and, finding another four-legged friend in the room, chased them away with a mop.
What awaits you, baby?
In oblivion, the boy dreamed that he had become a kitten. So his adventures began. The small helpless lump, having got on the street, was confused. Wet to the skin in the pouring rain, he froze, got hungry and found refuge in the warehouse. But a fat cat who pounced on him attacked him and drove him away.
When Peter woke up, his whole body ached, and a motley cat sat in front of him. Peter told her that he was a boy, not a cat. Jenny asked not to tell anyone about this and taught him to wash. Cats always do this:
When difficult - wash. Wrong, upset or offended - wash. Laughing at you? Wash yourself! Do you want a quarrel? Wash yourself. Sad, worried? Take yourself in your paws and wash yourself. You will feel better.
Readers note in reviews of Jenny by Paul Gallico that a wise animal from this story has something to learn even for adults, not just children. Jenny taught Peter to jump and turn in the air, cross the street correctly and catch mice. The boy obeyed her in everything. The only thing he could not understand, why did she hate people? Even if she was betrayed, is it really impossible to forgive?
Where do you go?
Peter and Jenny set off for the marina. On the way, they looked into the house of a good-natured old man who fed them a liver and gave them milk. Peter was not alien to human feelings, it was not without reason that the writer Paul Gallico left them for him. Jenny, after eating, jumped out the door and called with her a new friend. Cats fled, and the old man stood on the porch, looked after them and screamed for them to stay. Peter's heart sank and he said that he and Jenny were acting meanly and should stay. To which the cat snorted and replied: "What else?"
At the marina, Jenny told Peter that she dreamed of going to Glasgow, but always came to the wrong place. There are many ships here, but she cannot read. But Peter was able to do it. They found the ship they needed, climbed on it and went straight to where the supplies were stored. Jenny taught Peter how to fight rats. The clever cat did not eat the caught rodents, but folded it. When the cook came to get food, eight mice, a rat and two cats, sitting with the air of winners, appeared before his eyes. The captain allowed Jenny and Peter to stay on the ship.
Can cats swim?
Once Jenny was thrown overboard. Peter, seeing his girlfriend drowning in the sea, without hesitation, rushed after her. Peter dragged Jenny by the last effort, preventing her from drowning. Sailors came to their aid. Miracle, when the cat rushed into the sea to save his girlfriend, they saw for the first time. Peter cried all night, sitting over Jenny's lifeless body. Only in the morning did she open her eyes.
When the ship arrived at the port, the cats set off for the city, not wanting to return to the ship. Fleeing the dogs, they climbed onto a high drawbridge and hung helplessly there all night, clinging with their paws with all their strength. Jenny said: “They say cats are tenacious. But not always lucky. Goodbye Peter. ”
A crowd of onlookers gathered under the bridge. Rescuers arrived. They pulled out a long staircase and removed the cats from the bridge. Jenny burst into tears and confessed to Peter that they had really acted meanly, running away from a lonely old man who warmed them and begged to stay. They returned to their city and went to it. But it was too late. He died.
Peter desperately wanted to go home. On the way, Jenny met her former mistress, it turned out that no one left her. The family moved to the hotel during the repair, and the cat, offended at all, ran away.
After the battle with the big cat, Peter woke up from the voice of Jenny. He opened his eyes and said: “It seems he killed me.” The cat cried and shouted: "Peter!" Overcoming pain, he opened his eyes and saw that in front of him was sitting ... mother.
What do they say?
Readers write in their reviews of Jenny by Paul Gallico that this is a bright and kind book, but it makes you cry and be touched. Written in simple and understandable language, the story touches the very soul of the reader. The story of Jenny is useful to know not only for children but also for adults. Cat lover Gallico reveals in her the intricacies of the behavior of these animals.
The book about the boy who turned into a cat, as they write in reviews of Jenny by Paul Gallico, is actually a story of love and kindness. Having become an animal, Peter learns not only to carefully lick and catch mice, but also to take care of those who are dear, come to their aid and fight for them. And his mentor, Jenny, also learns to understand people, forgive and trust. Children's book, but how much wisdom is in it.