Inspiring People: Authors

So, inspiring authors. I have a lot of options. We could probably do authors for two months straight and I wouldn't get to all the people I want to write about. I couldn't choose just one to write about today, so I'll do three.

#1: Brian Jacques (Redwall)

No list of of the literature of my childhood would be complete without Mr. Jacques. I discovered Redwall somewhere in between the Boxcar Children and Harry Potter, and it was really a huge part of my childhood. 

The first Redwall book I read was Outcast of Redwall, and it was the first time I had encountered serious questions about morality and human nature in literature (or really anywhere). I was eight. For years afterward, Sunflash the Mace (a friendly, club-wielding badger who occasionally kills bad guys in fits of righteous anger) was my hero, my friend, and at times, my conscience.

I devoured the rest of the Redwall books, reading them and re-reading them until I practically knew all the stories by heart. I even got the Redwall cookbook and baked Shrew Shortbread for my family. Most of my games involved me wielding a mace and defending helpless families of mice with my incredible strength.

Eventually, I grew away from Redwall. By the time I got to middle school I had sort of realized the books' simplicity and was irritated with myself for having been so captivated by them. It wasn't really until I heard that Brian Jaqcues had passed away this year that I realized how important Redwall had been to me as a child and how it shaped who I am today.

Rest in peace, Mr. Jaqcues. You were well-loved.

#2: J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter)

I'll keep this one short; like Chuck said, someone else will surely want to write about her.

My journey into the world of Harry Potter began one night when my mom decided to read the first book aloud to my brother and I. I was ten. Needless to say, I waited up on my next birthday to see if I'd get a letter from Hogwarts.

I could fill a book with the many ways Harry Potter has influenced me, but I'll keep it short here. I think we, who are teenagers now, are the only ones who will truly experience Harry Potter as an integral part of our childhood. We grew up with Harry. Literally. As the books (and movies) got darker, I got older. Reflecting on the stories and how they changed gave me interesting insight into my own life. I don't really know how to explain it, but I feel like you guys would probably understand.

#3: Charlotte Brontë (Jane Eyre)


This is a fairly recent addition to my list of favorites. I read Jane Eyre in my British Lit class last semester (although I'm homeschooled, I take classes once a week). With this book, Charlotte Bronte completely changed the way I think about faith in fiction.

People will say that the book is about feminism, or religion, or morality, or whatever fits their agenda. To me, it's a brilliant, compelling story about a young woman who dares to challenge social norms, but always sticks to her principles. It taught me that doing what's right doesn't always mean doing what feels good. Sometimes it might mean just the opposite.

I love that in the book, Jane's faith is more than something she just throws around so you'll think she's a better person. It's a lifestyle; it's something she not only believes in, but something she acts upon. And because Bronte goes through the trouble of criticizing various other forms of Christianity, it doesn't even feel preachy.

I'll admit, I consider Jane a role model. She's probably my favorite heroine from any book, ever. Although she's flawed, she is nonetheless dedicated to doing the right thing, and I think that's a lesson everyone can relate to. Also, she falls in love with the best fictional love interest of all time. Just saying.

In conclusion, Charlotte Bronte > Stephanie Meyer.

(P.S. I know that my Christian homeschool literature class provided me with a very conservative analysis of Jane Eyre, so if anyone has different opinions on the book, I'd like to hear them.)
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Okeydoke, well, that's all I have to say today. I hope this post isn't too long. Can't wait to see what everyone else writes this week!

DFTBA,
Emily