A Sweet Addition To The Hippie, Happy Clan
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday June 14, 2008
Perry Angel's Suitcase
By Glenda MillardABC Books, 112pp, $14.95 I READ a quote on a greeting card recently: "Without tears, the soul would have no rainbow." These words seem to capture, quite succinctly, the sentiment behind Glenda Millard's Kingdom Of Silk trilogy. The books (for "younger readers") explore death and the elusiveness of belonging, yet they are never bleak nor harrowing. Instead they are sensitive, tender, sweet and hopeful, and the characters have brought bitter-sweet tears to many a reader's eyes.The Kingdom Of Silk is essentially the story of a family - the Silks - and their pastoral home and lifestyle. Parents Ben and Annie Silk have a brood of five daughters (the "Rainbow Girls") and one son, named Griffith. There's also Nell, the "tiny bit magic" grandmother, and Griffith's best friend, Layla. While the hippie, happy clan can sometimes come across as being a little too idealistic and perfect, it's comforting that each shows fragility and uncertainty, characteristics that are not portrayed as flaws, but as perfectly acceptable - even desirable - human traits.While the first Silk book (The Naming Of Tishkin Silk) remains a firm favourite, the subsequent titles (Layla Queen Of Hearts, and the new release, Perry Angel's Suitcase) are similarly charming. What makes the latter books ever-so-slightly-less successful is the contrast made between Layla's family and the Silks. There's nothing "wrong" with Layla's parents, but compared with the Silks, they seem somewhat shallow, with a kind of suburban ignorance (especially her mother, who doesn't give the impression of understanding or approving of the Silks' lifestyle).Millard treads carefully; with Layla defending her parents subconsciously as she adoringly observes the Silks, but even her lack of a middle name feels like a value judgment, which reflects her parents' lack of creativity and thoughtfulness. So a sense of superiority about the Silks' way of life sneaks in at the edges of the narrative, turning its sweetness a tiny bit sour.Perry Angel's Suitcase does have its flaws, but there's certainly much more to love than not. Perry is a quiet, lost soul who has been taken in as a foster child by the Silks. Throughout most of the story, Perry clutches a mysterious battered suitcase (contents unknown), a simple representation of his transient, troubled life so far. If Perry could let go of the suitcase, perhaps things will change for him.It's a potentially confronting, combative scenario, but the Silks provide a haven in which Perry can reconcile his feelings of anger and insecurity, unrushed and unprovoked. Kind gestures and words are a therapeutic remedy, and bit by bit readers get a glimpse of the rainbow in Perry's soul.Millard's ability to explore complex, sad situations without being depressing, or rendering the content of her stories too adult, is a skill. She achieves this by maintaining even, easy-to-understand prose, and explaining sometimes quite complex, philosophical ideas in simple terms, using lovely similes and straightforward dialogue. These qualities make the stories approachable for young readers, and irresistible for sentimental adults.Watercolour illustrations by Stephen Michael King make the perfect accompaniment to Millard's story, imbuing the same gentle tone, helping bring to life the inviting Kingdom Of Silk.This is the type of book a mother might want to read aloud in a soft, slow voice, cuddled up with her daughter. For it is in such a soothing tone that Millard tells the story, with the innocent inner-thoughts of its youngest characters, Layla, Griffith and Perry, who are funny and often profound in their naivety. The story, with homely, childish moments such as painting Easter eggs and whirling on the Hills hoist, and Millard's writing style, radiates warmth like a campfire. The best way to approach it is to put aside all cynicism and start toasting marshmallows.
© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald
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