Cheek by Jowl (book)

Cheek by Jowl is a 2009 collection of eight essays and talks written by American author Ursula K. Le Guin and published by Aqueduct Press.[1][2][3]

Overview

Cheek by Jowl collects several of LeGuin's essays on the importance and criticism of fantasy literature. The title essay, comprising half the book, surveys the representation of animals in children's literature, arguing that the best literature discusses animals from their own, non-human, perspective.[4] LeGuin furthermore argues that fantasy literature offers new ways of conceiving reality in opposition to the "monstrous homogenization of our world," offering "nothing unfamiliar."[5] The book decries the reduction of literature, particularly children's literature, to communication of messages or "sermons."[6] Some essays are critical of classic children's works such as Watership Down (which she considered sexist), and His Dark Materials.[4][5]

On the other hand, LeGuin presents arguments sympathetic to J. R. R. Tolkien, Rudyard Kipling, and Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking-Glass.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Cheek by Jowl". www.gumshoereview.com. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  2. ^ "Cheek by Jowl by Ursula K. Le Guin". www.publishersweekly.com. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  3. ^ Oziewicz, Marek (2011). "Cheek by Jowl: Talks and Essays on How and Why Fantasy Matters. Ursula K. Le Guin. Seattle: Aqueduct Press, 2009. 149 pages. USD $16.00 (softcover)". International Research in Children's Literature. 4 (2): 252–254. doi:10.3366/ircl.2011.0030. ISSN 1755-6198.
  4. ^ a b c Bratman, David. "Cheek by Jowl Review". www.mythsoc.org. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  5. ^ a b Cockrell, Amanda (2011-01-01). "Le Guin, Ursula K. Cheek by Jowl: Talks and Essays on How and Why Fantasy Matters". Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts. 22 (1): 108–111.
  6. ^ Ha, Thu-Huong (2018-01-24). "Ursula K. Le Guin knew that a great story doesn't need a takeaway". Quartz. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
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