Ibbotson, Eva. 2011. The Ogre of Oglefort. New York: Penguin. ISBN: 9780525423829.
Summary:
Ivo is an orphan and his only friend is a mysterious old woman who turns out to be a hag with magical powers. Through a series of circumstances, Ivo is thrilled to be included in a rescue party along with the hag, a troll, and a wizard. They set out on a long journey to rescue a princess from the clutches of an ogre. Only, they find out the princess doesn’t want to be rescued. Plus, the ogre is not violent and is more of a whiny hypochondriac. What to do now? Ivo and the princess become friends, and find some allies in talking animals who used to be humans. Everyone works together to cheer up the ogre, clean up the castle, and then defend it against further “rescue” attempts. In the end, everyone comes pretty near their own versions of “happily ever after.”
Analysis:
This book will appeal to lovers of fractured fairy tales; it’s a story where princes, princesses, ogres, and magicians don’t behave as one would expect. Ibbotson has written an entertaining and funny book that also deals with more serious themes, such as the lack of family and not being happy with one’s life. Though an orphan, Ivo finds a family in his magical traveling companions. Though Princess Mirella has a family, she feels that they do not love or understand her and only want to marry her off. Most of the characters in the book are unhappy with their lot in life. Mirella’s entire purpose for visiting the ogre was to have him change her into a white bird so she can fly above her problems, but fortunately she learns that she should remain human and face her problems.
Ibbotson was born in Austria, but moved to England when she was a young girl. The Ogre of Oglefort is set at first in London, and then on the made-up island of Ostland (somewhere among the British Isles). British cultural markers are throughout the novel, from the Underground to the landscape descriptions. Frequent tea breaks and words like “pram” are also indicators. The magical side of the story, with its ghosts and talking animals and ogres and more, is its own unique culture.
Reviews/Awards:
On the 2012 USBBY list of Outstanding International Books
“Fans of the author, who died in 2010, will find a gratifying mix of fresh material and traditional Ibbotson goodies: plenty of humorous twists, clever dialogue, an all's well that ends well conclusion, and, of course, cameo appearances by ghosts.” Publisher’s Weekly
“Ibbotson's playful humor, pungent turns of phrase, and sturdy friendliness toward her child heroes suffuse this novel (her second-to-last book), a fantasy that has its share of dramatic conflict but at heart celebrates the value of a peaceful home in which ‘people. . . [do] not want to be changed but. . . [are] content to be themselves.’” Horn Book
Connections:
* Read more by Eva Ibbotson, such as Journey to the River Sea, Dragonfly Pool, or Star of Kazan.
* Think about other examples of books or movies with classic fairy tale characters, but an unusual plot. In the movie “Shrek,” for example, the ogre is good instead of bad, much like in The Ogre of Oglefort.
