In the swamps of the Texas/ Louisiana border, Ranger the Hound is chained to the tilting house of Gar Face, a wicked hunter out to catch a legendary alligator. For years Ranger has been chained to his loneliness until one day a cat comes to him underneath the house. The cat gives birth to two twin kittens and the three become Ranger's family. They are happy together in The Underneath, they are safe as long as they stay in The Underneath. For in the swamp lies something older than the trees. Something that has been waiting for centuries and no longer makes distinction of friend or foe.
The setting of The Underneath is a part of the book that steps out of the fantasy realm and into reality. The swamps of east Texas are something that most Texans are extremely familiar with. The snakes and alligators that inhabit the area present threat on a daily basis for its residents. It is this setting that allows Appelt freedom with her characters as far as reality goes.
While the talking animals, immortal beings, and giant alligators may seem a little far fetched for some readers, the universal theme of hope is something that everyone can relate to. There is hope that Ranger and the cats will eventually escape The Underneath. Hope remains even when Night Song is lost to the ancient being, hope that she may be reunited with Night Song's daughter. regardless of what type of being has it hope fills the pages of this novel.
A trailer for the book can be found at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZ4Ds1Yub3Q
No comments:
Post a Comment