The Wild Things: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Book by Dave Eggers}} |
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{{unreferenced|date= March 2010}} |
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{{For|similar terms|Wild Thing (disambiguation)}} |
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{{italic title}} |
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'''''The Wild Things''''' is a 2009 full length novel written by [[Dave Eggers]] and published by [[McSweeney's]]. The book is based on the screenplay of ''[[Where the Wild Things Are (film)|Where the Wild Things Are]]'' which Eggers co-wrote. The film is, in turn, based on [[Maurice Sendak]]'s children's book ''[[Where the Wild Things Are]]''. |
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{{Infobox book |
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| image = The Wild Things.jpg |
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| author = [[Dave Eggers]] |
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| name = The Wild Things |
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| caption = First edition (furry) |
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| isbn = 1934781630 |
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| pub_date = October 13, 2009 |
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| published = 2009 ([[McSweeney]]) |
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| pages = Hardcover (300 pages) |
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}} |
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'''''The Wild Things''''' ({{ISBN|1934781630}}) is a novel written by [[Dave Eggers]], released on October 13, 2009, by [[McSweeney's]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Wild Things |url=https://store.mcsweeneys.net/products/the-wild-things |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=The McSweeney’s Store |language=en}}</ref> The book is a novelization inspired by the screenplay of [[Where the Wild Things Are (film)|''Where the Wild Things Are'']]'','' which Eggers co-wrote with [[Spike Jonze]]. The film itself is based on [[Maurice Sendak]]'s 1963 children's book [[Where the Wild Things Are|''Where the Wild Things Are'']]''.<ref name=":1">Etier, B. (2011, April 26). Book review: The Wild Things by Dave Eggers. ''[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]''. <nowiki>https://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/blogcritics/article/book-review-the-wild-things-by-dave-eggers-892590.php</nowiki></ref>'' |
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==Development== |
==Development== |
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The novel ''The Wild Things'' began as a request from Spike Jonze, who asked Eggers to co-write the screenplay for the film adaptation of Sendak's classic book. Later, Maurice Sendak requested Eggers to write a novelization of the story.<ref name=":2">{{Cite magazine |last=Leyshon |first=Cressida |date=2009-08-14 |title=Dave Eggers on "Max at Sea" |url=https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/dave-eggers-on-max-at-sea |access-date=2023-10-11 |magazine=The New Yorker |language=en-US |issn=0028-792X}}</ref> Eggers infused the character of Max with elements from his childhood, making the character's journey a reflection of his personal experiences. Eggers' interpretation of Max differs from both Sendak’s and Jonze’s versions, offering a unique exploration of the character's inner life and psychological development.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Going Wild With Wild Things: An Interview with Dave Eggers |url=https://www.core77.com/posts/15133/going-wild-with-wild-things-an-interview-with-dave-eggers-15133 |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=Core77 |language=en}}</ref> |
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According to the Acknowledgements of the novel, Eggers, who was asked by Jonze to write the screenplay, was also asked by Sendak to write the novelization. He said his version is different, as Sendak's Max was based on Sendak, Jonze's was based on Jonze, and while writing the book Eggers incorporated parts of his own boyhood into the character. |
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==Plot== |
== Plot and themes == |
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Eggers' novel expands significantly on the original children's story, further exploring Max's psyche and the symbolic significance of the island and its inhabitants. The novel portrays Max as a troubled boy dealing with complex emotions, including anger, loneliness, and a yearning for control. The island serves as a symbolic space where Max confronts these emotions, and the Wild Things represent different facets of his personality and emotional struggles. The novel is lauded for its rich symbolism, vivid imagery, and deeper, more mature exploration of themes such as identity, the power of imagination, and the complexities of childhood and family dynamics.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2009-11-20 |title=Review: The Wild Things, by Dave Eggers |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/review-the-wild-things-by-dave-eggers/article4293270/ |access-date=2024-09-02 |work=The Globe and Mail |language=en-CA}}</ref> |
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The story begins with Max going to his friend's house. His friend is not there, and Max only manages to find his friend's over-protective Mom, who attempts to walk him home. Max thinks she's crazy, and rides away quickly on his bike to the entrance of the woods. This shows the reader a bit of Max's problems. Later, Max builds a [[snow fort]] in his backyard complete with a flag and shelves containing snowballs. When Claire, Max's sister, and her friends go outside while the boys in the group chew tobacco, Max begins a great snowball fight. After throwing a few, he runs back into his snow fort, thinking he is safe. This is not true, and the boys find it easily because of his flag. One of the boys jumps on the fort causing it to collapse and suffocate Max. Max comes up crying, and his sister Claire does nothing to help him. Max is now filled with rage. Max goes upstairs to Claire's room and commences in dumping water all over it, breaking a few of her belongings as well. Later, his mom comes home from work to find Max hiding in his bed, feeling bad about what he's done. He then reluctantly shows her what he did to Claire's room. Exasperated but really too tired to be angry with him, they clean up the mess together. |
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== Critical reception == |
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''The Wild Things'' received generally positive reviews for its imaginative narrative and emotional depth. Critics have praised Eggers for his ability to create a novel that stands independently, separate from the original children's book and the film adaptation. The novel was described as "deeply imaginative, slightly strange, occasionally dark, and ultimately touching," with Eggers’ writing style noted for its crispness and vitality.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> |
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==Awards== |
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* [[International Dublin Literary Award]] longlist (2011)<ref name=":0">https://dublinliteraryaward.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Fiction-Matters-2011.pdf</ref> |
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== References == |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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{{Portal |Children's literature}} |
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{{Where the Wild Things Are}} |
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{{Dave Eggers}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Wild Things}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wild Things}} |
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[[Category:American children's novels]] |
[[Category:American children's novels]] |
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[[Category:Novels by Dave Eggers]] |
[[Category:Novels by Dave Eggers]] |
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[[Category:McSweeney's books]] |
[[Category:McSweeney's books]] |
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[[Category:2009 novels]] |
[[Category:2009 American novels]] |
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[[Category:2009 children's books]] |
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[[Category:Novels based on films]] |
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{{ |
{{2000s-child-novel-stub}} |
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Latest revision as of 01:50, 23 November 2024
 First edition (furry) | |
| Author | Dave Eggers |
|---|---|
| Published | 2009 (McSweeney) |
Publication date | October 13, 2009 |
| Pages | Hardcover (300 pages) |
| ISBN | 1934781630 |
The Wild Things (ISBN 1934781630) is a novel written by Dave Eggers, released on October 13, 2009, by McSweeney's.[1] The book is a novelization inspired by the screenplay of Where the Wild Things Are, which Eggers co-wrote with Spike Jonze. The film itself is based on Maurice Sendak's 1963 children's book Where the Wild Things Are.[2]
Development
[edit]The novel The Wild Things began as a request from Spike Jonze, who asked Eggers to co-write the screenplay for the film adaptation of Sendak's classic book. Later, Maurice Sendak requested Eggers to write a novelization of the story.[3] Eggers infused the character of Max with elements from his childhood, making the character's journey a reflection of his personal experiences. Eggers' interpretation of Max differs from both Sendak’s and Jonze’s versions, offering a unique exploration of the character's inner life and psychological development.[4]
Plot and themes
[edit]Eggers' novel expands significantly on the original children's story, further exploring Max's psyche and the symbolic significance of the island and its inhabitants. The novel portrays Max as a troubled boy dealing with complex emotions, including anger, loneliness, and a yearning for control. The island serves as a symbolic space where Max confronts these emotions, and the Wild Things represent different facets of his personality and emotional struggles. The novel is lauded for its rich symbolism, vivid imagery, and deeper, more mature exploration of themes such as identity, the power of imagination, and the complexities of childhood and family dynamics.[2][5]
Critical reception
[edit]The Wild Things received generally positive reviews for its imaginative narrative and emotional depth. Critics have praised Eggers for his ability to create a novel that stands independently, separate from the original children's book and the film adaptation. The novel was described as "deeply imaginative, slightly strange, occasionally dark, and ultimately touching," with Eggers’ writing style noted for its crispness and vitality.[2][3]
Awards
[edit]- International Dublin Literary Award longlist (2011)[6]
References
[edit]- ^ "The Wild Things". The McSweeney’s Store. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
- ^ a b c Etier, B. (2011, April 26). Book review: The Wild Things by Dave Eggers. Seattle Post-Intelligencer. https://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/blogcritics/article/book-review-the-wild-things-by-dave-eggers-892590.php
- ^ a b Leyshon, Cressida (2009-08-14). "Dave Eggers on "Max at Sea"". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
- ^ "Going Wild With Wild Things: An Interview with Dave Eggers". Core77. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
- ^ "Review: The Wild Things, by Dave Eggers". The Globe and Mail. 2009-11-20. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
- ^ https://dublinliteraryaward.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Fiction-Matters-2011.pdf
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