The Mystery of the Fool and the Vanisher

Ellwand, David and Ruth. The Mystery of the Fool and the Vanisher. Candlewick Press, 2008. ISBN 978-0-7636-2096-7

Plot

This book is a photographic notebook and written journal of the author's fictional discoveries related to the disappearance of Isaac Wilde, artist and fairy seeker. The author walked through the South Downs in southern England. This place is thought to be where Neolithic man once lived. Some people believe it is a magical place inhabited by fae, or fairy people. Using a holed flint stone, the author sees a light mysterious flashing through some trees. The light leads him to an abandoned house where he finds an old chest. He takes it to his studio and pries it open. Inside he finds the journal and a collection of strange objects belonging to Mr. Isaac Wilde. One of the objects is a wax cylinder recording. He sends the recording to a specialist who transfers it to an audio CD. The middle section of the book contains a transcript of that recording, an audio journal by Mr. Wilde, and photographs of the objects in the trunk that Mr. Wilde describes. He began his journal as a record of an archaeological dig near a flint mine in the South Downs. The local people told him that children reported seeing pixies leaving the abandoned mine. They are concerned that the archaeological work will upset the pixies. Soon the scientists discover a shaft that leads 21 feet down to a large chamber. There Mr. Wilde has his first encounter with pixies. They are indeed angry over the damage the dig has done to their home in the mine. The leader of the dig, Dr. Gibson Gayle, does not believe that the pixies exist because he cannot see them. Mr. Wilde creates a special camera which allows him to photograph a pixie. He takes the photograph to a meeting of the Photographic Society where it is declared a fake. Later while working in the mine a strange object clatters to the ground. When Dr. Gayle picks it up, he vanishes. Mr. Wilde takes the vanisher apart then hides the pieces. Did pixies somehow get rid of Dr. Gayle to stop the dig? Police inquire about Dr. Gayle, but his disappearance remains a mystery. That is the end of Mr. Wilde's journal. Nobody knows what happened to him after that. The author then reports how he found the pieces of the vanisher and reassembled it.

Critical Evaluation

The sepia photographs and fairy artifacts detailed in the book are visually stunning. The story of Mr. Wilde is mysterious and spooky. The idea that some people can see magical beings like pixies while other people cannot or will not see them is intriguing. The story told by the present day author of his own magical experiences in the South Downs, especially at Barrow Hill, add to the realism of the account.

Annotations

A man wandering in the forest is led to an abandoned house where he finds an old trunk. He takes it home and opens it to find a journal and other objects belonging to Isaac Wilde. Mr. Wilde appears to have collected evidence and photographs that prove that fairy beings inhabit Barrow Hill and the flint mine near it.

Author

This book is the first collaboration of David and Ruth Ellwand as authors. David Ellwand is a professional photographer as well.

Genre

Fiction - journals

Curriculum Ties

Literature arts

Booktalk Ideas

Using a large video display, click through the images found at http://www.foolandthevanisher.com/ and then invite comments. Introduce the book and read through the beginning of the book (pages 6 – 11) to introduce listeners to the magical area known as the South Downs.

Reading Level/Interest Age

Grade 6 (age 11) and up.

Challenge Issues and Defense

None.

Why is it here?

The book is beautiful. It will appeal to young people interested in fairies, photography, archaeology, or old journals.