The Underneath
Kathi Appelt’s The Underneath begins with a calico cat, about to have kittens, hearing the lonely howl of a chained-up hound deep in the backwaters of the bayou. She dares to find him in the forest, and he dares to befriend this creature he is supposed to hate. This unlikely family stays underneath Gar-Face’s house, safe from becoming alligator bait should he find them. But kittens are curious creatures, and one kitten’s one moment of curiosity sets off a chain of events that is astonishing, remarkable, and enormous in its meaning.
Although a middle grade novel, Appelt’s writing style didn’t leave me feeling like I was being talked down to. She is precise in her word choice and is a master of imagery. Her style of storytelling reminded me of the books I used to read – and love – in elementary school. Her story left me feeling nostalgic for those summer days spent reading in a blanket fort in my backyard.
It was interesting to read a book so focused on the power of love and hate. She explored it not only through the makeshift animal family, but also Grandma Moccasin, this ancient snake creature who was trapped for thousand years waiting to exact her revenge.
In terms of Ranger and the kittens, their love for each other ran so deep. They faced incredible odds: a raging river, Gar-Face’s cruelty, and the dangers of the bayou. It seemed everything was stacked against them but they fought to stay together.
With Grandma Moccasin, it was a different story. As her tale was weaved through with the kittens’, the reader saw how she chose hate and anger instead of love, and for it she was rewarded with imprisonment. Upon her freedom, she had another choice to make: devour the hound and kittens, or set them free. Choose love. Choose family. Choose hope. Make the choice she should have made centuries ago, one she ultimately regretted. Grandma Moccasin freed Ranger from the chain that had kept him imprisoned for years, granting this family the freedom to finally be together on their own terms, and giving Grandma Moccasin peace.
Gar-Face is the villain of this story, and I found it interesting how Appelt made it clear from the beginning that there was no redemption for him. His abusive upbringing and cruel nature shaped the man he became, and it was obvious he never even considered choosing love or the happiness of someone else. His choices were driven by his selfishness and his need to prove his skill as a hunter, his only real talent. He could have gone the route of Grandma Moccasin and chosen to set Ranger free, but his fate was sealed the moment he entered the bayou as a child.
The Underneath is a harrowingly sweet tale about the power of love and hate, the fragility of happiness, and the importance of making good on your promises.
The Underneath Rating: ★★★★
Although a middle grade novel, Appelt’s writing style didn’t leave me feeling like I was being talked down to. She is precise in her word choice and is a master of imagery. Her style of storytelling reminded me of the books I used to read – and love – in elementary school. Her story left me feeling nostalgic for those summer days spent reading in a blanket fort in my backyard.
It was interesting to read a book so focused on the power of love and hate. She explored it not only through the makeshift animal family, but also Grandma Moccasin, this ancient snake creature who was trapped for thousand years waiting to exact her revenge.
In terms of Ranger and the kittens, their love for each other ran so deep. They faced incredible odds: a raging river, Gar-Face’s cruelty, and the dangers of the bayou. It seemed everything was stacked against them but they fought to stay together.
With Grandma Moccasin, it was a different story. As her tale was weaved through with the kittens’, the reader saw how she chose hate and anger instead of love, and for it she was rewarded with imprisonment. Upon her freedom, she had another choice to make: devour the hound and kittens, or set them free. Choose love. Choose family. Choose hope. Make the choice she should have made centuries ago, one she ultimately regretted. Grandma Moccasin freed Ranger from the chain that had kept him imprisoned for years, granting this family the freedom to finally be together on their own terms, and giving Grandma Moccasin peace.
Gar-Face is the villain of this story, and I found it interesting how Appelt made it clear from the beginning that there was no redemption for him. His abusive upbringing and cruel nature shaped the man he became, and it was obvious he never even considered choosing love or the happiness of someone else. His choices were driven by his selfishness and his need to prove his skill as a hunter, his only real talent. He could have gone the route of Grandma Moccasin and chosen to set Ranger free, but his fate was sealed the moment he entered the bayou as a child.
The Underneath is a harrowingly sweet tale about the power of love and hate, the fragility of happiness, and the importance of making good on your promises.
The Underneath Rating: ★★★★