THE FREDDY BOOKS AS GENRE FICTION

How does one describe the Freddy books to the uninitiated? I've tried time after time and have been unable to communicate the essence of the books in any succinct way. If I say they are books about talking animals, one might think of Wind in the Willows, and no, they are not like Wind in the Willows, they are funnier. Or, are they like Margery Sharp's Miss Bianca and The Rescuers? Well, no, they're American, and friendship is a strong element. Oh well then, they must be similar to George Selden's Cricket in Times Square series. Well, no….they're just different. In trying to characterize the Freddy series as a whole, I think it is simplistic and misleading to describe it as stories about anthropomorphic animals.

Walter Brooks' vision was personal, distinctive, and unique. His fiction was complex and consistent through thirty-one years. Nevertheless, through the course of the series he incorporated many themes and plot elements that were prevalent in literature in general and children's genre fiction in particular. In spite of this strong use of genre ploys, though, I think the Freddy books compare more closely with E. F. Benson's adult comedies of manners, the Lucia books.

In the following list, see if you agree that characteristics describing the Lucia novels also describe the Freddy books.

1. There is a recurring cast of characters.
2. It is primarily a closed society. The characters interact mostly with each other. Outsiders usually appear individually or in small groups, and usually only to further the plot.
3. The characters are all adults, unencumbered by the responsibility of children. |They are also financially secure. Therefore, by not having to hold down jobs, their time is their own to use as they choose.
4. The setting is pastoral in that it is peaceful and simple - the world at large and worldly events rarely intrude.
5. The main character, Lucia, can be described as a Renaissance woman or a dilettante. The impetus for action and plot usually involves Lucia becoming enamored of a new stunt or passion and infecting, or at least affecting, those around her with each new enthusiasm.
6. And last, but most importantly, the reader cares not so much what each new stunt will be, but more importantly cares to see how Lucia and the others will react and interact with each new lark: what is happening is not so important as the fact that it is happening to characters with whom the reader is enormously involved.

I think it is the above characteristics (as well as the skilled writing of the author) that have allowed the series to remain consistent and true to itself while embracing the myriad themes and fads of genre fiction, and permitted the series the longevity for Mr. Brooks to experiment with so many genre elements.

[There followed a lot of rigmarole about comparing the Freddy books to other juvenile genre fiction and the audience (who had not already done so) were able to think of other important things like what to have for lunch the next day and what to get for the Tushville cousins who would be coming over for Christmas. Everyone did remember to keep an interested look on their face and to applaud politely at the end, however.]

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