DeathtoTrite
Troubadour
Sorry if this is a duplicate thread. A quick search only showed a long dead discussion of Inkheart. This is just for general discussion of Funke and her style.
What I find especially interesting about Cornelia Funke is that she manages to defy many things this forum recommends and yet is more successful than just about anyone here (if GRRM or JK Rowling is lurking, I apologize). Some things she does VERY differently-
POV- she doesn't have any consistency. You might get one random chapter told from a villain's perspective, or some minor character. She doesn't have the same more rigid approach someone like GRRM has, or some of the discussions here recommend.
Magic- Most of us like or elaborate, hierarchical magic systems. It has a clear source, well-defined rules, and its scope is clear. Think the magic in Eragon. Cornelia Funke's magic tends to be an eclectic variety with little or no overarching design. The Mirrorworld novels are a great example. Sure, fairie's are the most powerful, but their are all kinds of varieties of power.
Length- Most of Cornelia Funke's books tend to be a reasonable length, and often are self contained works- Dragon Rider and the Thief Lord both come to mind. Wheel of Time and ASOIAF move in the complete opposite direction, with a truly insane length. She accomplishes this by moving through thinks at a pretty remarkable pace that, when I attempt, tends to come of as rushed.
Some of Funke's strengths could also be called weaknesses. Not everyone enjoys a helter-skelter magic system, nor does everyone enjoy quick actions and short chapters.
Also a question; what age do you think her books are for? I read Dragon Rider in 2nd grade, but having just read Reckless (featuring:Tailor who wears human flesh, attempted wedding massacre, parents killing children due to to disease...) I'm not really sure how right that is for children...
What I find especially interesting about Cornelia Funke is that she manages to defy many things this forum recommends and yet is more successful than just about anyone here (if GRRM or JK Rowling is lurking, I apologize). Some things she does VERY differently-
POV- she doesn't have any consistency. You might get one random chapter told from a villain's perspective, or some minor character. She doesn't have the same more rigid approach someone like GRRM has, or some of the discussions here recommend.
Magic- Most of us like or elaborate, hierarchical magic systems. It has a clear source, well-defined rules, and its scope is clear. Think the magic in Eragon. Cornelia Funke's magic tends to be an eclectic variety with little or no overarching design. The Mirrorworld novels are a great example. Sure, fairie's are the most powerful, but their are all kinds of varieties of power.
Length- Most of Cornelia Funke's books tend to be a reasonable length, and often are self contained works- Dragon Rider and the Thief Lord both come to mind. Wheel of Time and ASOIAF move in the complete opposite direction, with a truly insane length. She accomplishes this by moving through thinks at a pretty remarkable pace that, when I attempt, tends to come of as rushed.
Some of Funke's strengths could also be called weaknesses. Not everyone enjoys a helter-skelter magic system, nor does everyone enjoy quick actions and short chapters.
Also a question; what age do you think her books are for? I read Dragon Rider in 2nd grade, but having just read Reckless (featuring:Tailor who wears human flesh, attempted wedding massacre, parents killing children due to to disease...) I'm not really sure how right that is for children...