The publisher advertises with the information that the children’s book classic “The Marvelous Land of Snergs” by EA Wyke-Smith from 1927 is – according to Tolkien’s own admission – the model for the “Little Hobbit”. But the comparison is easily misleading. Tolkien’s novel is the hour of birth of a uniquely complex parallel universe. The Schnergen story, on the other hand, is entertaining fantasy for children with a good deal of humor, shudder and virtuous instruction. The British author Veronica Cossanteli has now retold the adventures of two human children and their friend.
There’s a witch, there’s snodworms, saber-toothed millipedes, vampire butterflies, and howling snails.
In her Schnergenland – illustrated in a friendly, colorful and childlike manner by Paddy Donnelly – there is a giant who would love to eat small children if he hadn’t been raised to become a vegetarian. There’s a witch, there’s snodworms, saber-toothed millipedes, vampire butterflies, and howling snails. Extremely insidious forests grow between the land of the little Schnerge and that of the hostile kelpse. And somewhere on the edge there is the last tip of a settlement of noodles – that’s the name of the people. In particular, half noodles, i.e. children, populate an orphanage on Sunny Bay. The home for “superfluous and by chance orphaned children” is run by a strict lady named Miss Watkyns, behind whose rough shell a kind heart hides (greetings from Mary Poppins!). The main principle of their regiment seems to be the observance of rules. Obviously she is surrounded by such a magical aura that even her goldfish, like a goldfish, constantly draws the same circles in a clockwise direction. Also worth mentioning are an ancient captain and his toothless crew, who reside on a sailing ship in the neighboring bay. Ultimately, however, the fact that Schnerge are used for housekeeping in the home leads to the dilemma that sets history in motion. One of them, Gorbo, is standing before Miss Watkyns with his head bowed. Next to him, equally contrite, Flora and Pip, the newest pupils in the home, who, together with their concierge friend, simply do not want to get used to the strict regulations and are admonished by the director. The boy comes from a family of circus acrobats and was abused by his father. And Flora was deported by her wealthy mother and decided not to speak any more. The witch Malicia, who has something mysterious about Miss Watkyns, tries to kidnap Flora. This is the beginning of an adventure journey through fantastic worlds for the two children, for Gorbo and a run-in dog, in which, as a participating observer – in contrast to Tolkien – despite the drama, you always feel on the safe side.
Cossanteli was inspired by the original in a lively, contemporary and profound way. And translator Uwe-Michael Gutzschhahn can be seen in each of the many wonderfully weird language games, what fun it gives him to communicate with the magno-elephantasmagoric creatures: “We sing until we’re drunk, // we dance until the bubbles burst. / / A real Schnerg goes to bed well and nicely // only after a headstand. “
Veronica Cossanteli: In the small, wild Schnergenland. Retold based on a novel by EA Wyke-Smith. Translated from the English by Uwe-Michael Gutzschhahn. With pictures by Paddy Donnelly. Thienemann 2021. 238 pages, 15 euros.