An author you probably have never heard of but should have

This is an unabashed fan-boy page for Andre Norton who sadly is not well known even though she had a large impact on Science Fiction and Fantasy literature. Don't take my word on it here is the Wikipedia entry. A friend of mine has just started reading her and asked for book recommendations and after trying to jam a ton into an IM I just decided to post my views on them over here. In short if you see her name on a book you should most likely read it.

I figure I would cover some broad scope ideas before I start individual books or series. None of the following has any scholarly back up just what one fan felt reading her stories. Foremost is that her work is considered young adult to a large degree and rightly so. I will be 50 in 2015 and am largely aware of and content with who I am however when I started reading Andre Norton I was probably 10 or so. I mention this because it does have a bearing on the appeal of her stories to me. At first I didn't enjoy them beyond being what they are on the most basic level really enjoyable stories. No matter your age Andre Norton writes a story that you will want to read. Her settings, characters and plots are engaging and interesting. One thing I like that might annoy some people is do not expect to get an explanation of the nuts and bolts of either her science or magic. Things work consistently but there isn't the speculative explanation of some "hard" science fiction nor do she she get into how to cast a spell. Her stories are about characters first and foremost and they and their interactions get most of the attention in her works.

Early teens (or any other alienated group) will find her works particularly appealing I suspect. Not being popular in my early teens I don't know for sure but I suspect just about everyone in the 12 to 16 age range feels alone in that confusing and terrifying time when you change from someone's child into yourself. Andre Norton's stories frequently revolve around someone of that age and usually they are an orphan or otherwise without a parent or guardian. I have no idea why she choose that for so many of her characters but it was why I identified with her stories. I am not an orphan and I had a circle of friends in high school (many I still have and see semi-regularly to this day) but I still felt a strong bond with her totally alone heroes for some reason. Her protagonist is usually alone, usually young and usually in a hazardous situation that they triumph over through self reliance. Oh yeah usually there is a, uh... well sorta love interest I guess? It is tricky to explain the hero has someone they love but not necessarily romantic love. For instance in Night of Masks the hero (who starts as an accomplice to kidnapping) becomes a big brother type to a younger boy or in Catseye it is a group of telepathic animals. This should not be taken to mean her writing is repetitive, it isn't, I am only pointing out what to expect in one of her stories.

Keeping in mind she was published between 1934 (I think) and 2005 with most of her works being written from the mid 1950's through the 1970's I can still recommend her work without the hesitation I feel even admitting to reading the Tom Swift books; or Edgar Rice Burroughs. You cannot ignore the times in which those were written and the horrifying racist and sexists off hand remarks in them are staggering. What is worse is the sense I get that the authors were trying to show how progressive they were <shudder>. In both cases I can honestly say if you are not a white, male american don't read either of them, if you are brace yourself to feel guilty for what or country used to be like. Ms. Norton's works don't contain cringe inducing content although that maybe because of them being Space Opera/Fantasy works. The other thing that bears mention is WW III prior to the fall of the Berlin Wall the majority of Americans felt there would be a nuclear war in their lifetime. I don't remember the exact percentage but I recall being in the Air Force in the early 80's and the mass media making a big deal about it. In her works there was either a world war causing large areas to be uninhabited or in one series aliens exterminating Earth. I mention it not because it is a huge part of any of the stories but because of her casual mentions of the wars effect and the relative lack of reaction of her characters to it. We expected it to happen so it wasn't a big deal.

Animals and Native Americans also should be mentioned as they also frequently appear in her works. Animals first as they are in almost every story. They are friends at the very least and more than likely the equals of the humans although rarely are they anthropomorphic. A lot of the time they are telepathic cats or cat like beings. Eh, I never found it to be done in a heavy handed or obnoxiously preachy manner so try not to read that and go "Oh a cat lady". I will approach commenting about Native Americans with more trepidation. I have no idea if her portrayal of Native Americans should be considered okay or shameful. I live in New England and have for my whole life pretty much and just really don't know. I like the stories but I am a white guy from the suburbs so what do I know.