'The Wolves of Willoughby Chase' by Joan Aiken

Wicked wolves and a grim governess threaten Bonnie and her cousin Sylvia when Bonnie's parents leave Willoughby Chase for a sea voyage. Left in the care of the cruel Miss Slighcarp, the girls can hardly believe what is happening to their once happy home. The servants are dismissed, the furniture is sold, and Bonnie and Sylvia are sent to a prison-like orphan school. It seems as if the endless hours of drudgery will never cease.

With the help of Simon the gooseboy and his flock, they escape. But how will they ever get Willoughby Chase free from the clutches of the evil Miss Slighcarp?

MY THOUGHTS:

 This book was a DNF from my childhood, but of the 100+ books Joan Aiken ever wrote, it pops up frequently enough on lists of recommended kids' lit to make me curious. I thought I'd read it straight through for a second opinion, since it's decades on from my first attempt.

Hmm, I can't really fault my juvenile self. Not that there is anything bad about this book, except for being a bit overdrawn and melodramatic. Yet I find myself wondering just what captivates generations of readers. Is it the alternative history of England that sparks people's imaginations, or the Steampunk vibes, or the lovely illustrations by Pat Marriott?

Here's how it all goes down.

Bonnie Green is a somewhat pampered only child who lives in a lavish mansion with her wealthy parents and plenty of doting staff members. Her father and mother are soon to commence a long voyage seeking treatment for Lady Green's illness. But Bonnie's dainty cousin Sylvia is expected any moment. Alas, so is Miss Slighcarp, a governess hired, sight unseen, for the pair of girls. She's distant kin, which is enough to recommend her to Sir Willoughby Green. 

The parents have barely departed before Miss Slighcarp reveals her true colours as a despicable bully and fortune-hunter. She's not the sort of villain who pretends to be a good guy. Slighcarp is at least no hypocrite, but begins an instant reign of terror - including a harsh boarding school for Bonnie and Sylvia. But Slighcarp underestimates Bonnie's crusader's heart, especially where fights for justice are concerned. 

The story is essentially a battle between good and evil. Slighcarp has a handful of formidable buddies but Bonnie and Sylvia have some fine allies, the most lovable being Simon, the boy who sells geese for his living. He helps them out of some really tight jams.

In the alternative British history in which this is set, packs of wild wolves have migrated from Europe through a tunnel between Calais and Dover, and now plague the British Isles. But except for one or two random stagey attack scenes, I can't see how the wolves are integral to the plot at all - which is Slighcarp and her minions versus Bonnie, Sylvia and Co. 

The write-up at the back of my library edition says, 'When Joan first showed the story to a publisher, they said it was too scary and asked if she could please take out the wolves. Of course she said No.' 

Well, I'm baffled as to why we should automatically echo that 'of course' since the wolves hardly ever do anything! 

The story even borders on outrageous when we learn Sir Willoughby Green is filthy rich, yet his sister Jane who lives in London almost dies of poverty. Sure, she's too proud to reveal her straightened circumstances, but he should've made it his business to find out. She's in no position to keep her plight hidden. Sir Willoughby strikes me as one of those oblivious doofuses in more ways than one. It gets irritating when we're coerced to regard these airheads as heroes.

However, I guess nothing is wasted. Reading this increased my vocabulary regarding some drinks that weren't familiar to me. The kindly maid Pattern gives Bonnie and Sylvia a posset, which is a hot drink with citrus and spices. There's also Bohea, a low quality tea which is all Sylvia gets to drink when she lives with poor Aunt Jane, and Simon's Metheglin, a sort of honey wine. (It would be yes please, no thanks and maybe for me.)

Any good takeaways? There's a nice reflective, pastoral section when the three kids wander the countryside with necessary slowness, since Simon says, 'There's no sense hurrying with geese. By the time we reach Smithfield they'll be thin and scrawny and nobody will want 'em.' Thumbs up for leisurely lifestyles and homely wisdom. The blacksmith's remedy for a chesty cough makes me smile too. (The breath of sheep.)

But altogether, I don't feel inclined to follow up with all the other titles in this series. There are quite a few. At least not yet, which I know may well mean never. There are so many other books to read.

I've got to give this edition thumbs up for its beautiful cover though.  

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