Del-Del
This is a follow on post from ‘Thanks Victor Kelleher‘
I just finished reading another of his books called Del-Del. It’s a book that won the Children’s book of the year in 1992 but for some reason I had neglected to read it until now (even though I bought my copy of the book in 1993!). It was a fantastic read! It had me up late and gave me some very tired mornings!
I don’t want to give away too much for those who haven’t read it, but all in all it’s a very clever book on how families – and children in particular – deal with grief, death, and loss of someone they love. I don’t know how VK came up with the concept to write a book about this issue in such a unique and creative way. Brilliant!
And for those who’ve read the book before, here is my theory on the name Del-Del which is left open ended at the conclusion of the book: Perhaps the delete key on the keyboard “DEL”? and the parrallels with deleting feelings, erasing memories? Well I like it. It fits well with me.
Victor Kelleher has visited this site at least once before so maybe he can give us his thoughts? Though, I suspect that if he wanted to make it clear he probably would’ve written it…
Worth the read. Buy it. Borrow it. Read it.
May 16th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
This book totally freaked me out when I read it as a kid. I don’t remember much, but it would be interesting to see if it makes the same impressions on me now as it did then…
May 19th, 2008 at 9:42 am
I had never noticed the VH comment on your previous post… wow!
May 19th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Yeah, we’re in the big time Pete.
This site is world famous!
May 24th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
just finished reading it…I think knowing in advance that the book was about grief really coloured my perspective of it as I read- in a good way I think- it was less freaky, but still raised my curiousities! How would one cope with their child going through that? I liked the conflicting values and ideas the characters brought to the situation too. Plus…. gotta love a short book!
May 30th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
you see…. I told you!!!
i read this when i was 12 (1992) when it first came out and it CHANGED ME!
thank you VK!!!
January 3rd, 2009 at 4:35 am
i read this book a few years ago and it is still one of my favourites.
i always thought it would be brilliant if adapted to a film.