The Gammage Cup

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Book Review: 


Unlikely protagonist Muggles just doesn’t seem to fit into the rigid constraints of Minnipin society. Oh, she tries, but - well, somehow…

And she isn’t the only one. When poet Gummy sees ominous fires on the mountains during his nighttime wanderings, and eccentric Walter the Earl warns of a coming invasion of ancient mythical enemies, their community only laughs and ridicules them. What can the little misfit band of outcasts do to save the society that has shunned them?

Although new to our library collection, the Gammage Cup (1959) by Carrol Kendall has been personal favorite of mine since childhood. A disarmingly funny and charming fantasy story, it wrestles with deep themes like nonconformity, intolerance, hatred, and the courage to be true to yourself while embracing forgiveness for those who hurt you most. Anyone embroiled in today’s “cancel culture” movement would do well to read this book, and let its simple wisdom sink in.

Recommendation: Fans of fantasy classics (C.S. Lewis, George MacDondald etc.) should definitely give this a read.

Author - Carol Kendall
Publishing - Odyssey Classics, 2000
Genre - Fantasy
Pages - 283

 

Mr. Wedel

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