Gregor the Overlander was written by Suzanne Collins and published in 2003. Gregor the Overlander tells the story of an 11-year-old boy named Gregor who embarks on a quest to find his long lost father. This story contains all the elements of a good fantasy novel, with personified animals and mystical worlds underneath the city of New York. Some people might consider this book to be more suitable for younger audiences but I was truly captivated by what Gregor experiences in this story, and in my opinion, this can be a book for all ages.
In Gregor the Overlander Gregor and his sister fall through an old air duct grate in their apartment building's basement. To their surprise, it leads to a world miles under New York City. This world is inhabited by humans with almost transparent skin, and the people co-exist with rats, bats, and cockroaches the size of humans. Gregor and his sister find themselves in a city that is on the brink of war, and the rats are trying to overtake the realm. The Regalian council believes Gregor to be this warrior, and they try to convince him to undertake the quest mentioned in the "Prophecy of Gray". This prophecy states that an Overland "warrior" will stop any attempt by the rats to take over the underground realm once and for all.
Character development is prevalent in the story, as Gregor learns how to live in this new world he has fallen into. However, I would like to focus on something that I enjoy from the book. In Gregor the Overlander there are two distinct settings: New York City and the Underland. Most of the story takes place in the Underland. Collins has done a remarkable job of creating a fantastical world that resembles a city that exists in the real world, or the Overland, and modifies it to fit the fantastical setting of the Underland. In the book, there are all sorts of customs and rituals that are unique to the Underland and have been created by the author to give the world an outlandish feeling.
Another thing that I find interesting is the theme of this story. I believe the theme is "strength in differences." The Prophecy of Gray is about all races being equal. There must be two bats, two spinners (spiders), two crawlers, (cockroaches), two Overlanders, two Underlanders, etc. Although the city is at war and two species, humans and rats, are fighting to annihilate one another, in this quest, all species are equal, and that equality of being is the only hope of survival. This is clearly a message from the author about finding strength in the species’ differences, which can only be performed through equal treatment. I think this also speaks to issues that are going along in the real world regarding racial equality.
All in all, this is a very interesting and admirable book. Everything about it is likable and the characters, the plot, the setting, etc. are all unique and splendid in their own way. I highly recommend this book to anyone who desires to read a fantastical story.
This analysis not only wants to make me read this book, but to start reading more Fantasy books in general. The plot sounds so captivating and well written. This sounds like a very interesting and special book. I'll be reading it for sure!
ReplyDeleteWhile the story of the human being transported to a world much smaller is not a new concept this book seems pretty interesting. The plot reminds me of the nutcracker in terms of humans going to a smaller world and rodents being the main villains. It also does not seem pointed too much to younger audience so this is quite an interesting book I may read.
ReplyDeleteWhat interesting world-building! It's great to find good fantasy books set in unique worlds and from your review, it sounds like Collins did a great job of crafting one. I think the theme you've identified speaks to the way we as humans tend to go throughout seeing ourselves as the center of everything. I like that this book highlights that animals can be formidable adversaries if they choose to be. Great post!
ReplyDeleteWow! I didn't know that Suzanne Collins wrote this book. I really enjoyed her other books so I will probably check this one out. The plot and setting sounds really interesting. I love it when fantasy books have a well thought out world that I can get lost in. Can't wait to read this!
ReplyDeleteI have heard about this book, but I haven't read it, so I will have to give it a try! The world this book is set in sounds very interesting and unique, which is really cool. The plot seems really captivation too. Great article, I'll definitely read this!
ReplyDeleteThe concept of this novel sounds really interesting! I liked The Hunger Games, but I didn't know Suzanne Collins had written other books. It also sounds like the ideal fantasy book, so I'll definitely want to read it.
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