N. D. Wilson is the Master of American Magic. There is no other middle-grade author who writes such powerful fantasy with an American accent. And I don’t mean Wilson’s own accent, though he does go in for hard Rs. I mean the stories themselves. They are the kinds of tales you can’t imagine being narrated by one of our cousins from across the pond. How many fantasy stories do you know like that? His stories are wide open and wild, full of fastballs and six-shooters. The settings are Kansas, Wisconsin, Arizona, and (best of all) West Virginia.
In his latest fantasy, Wilson has given us a Miracle, and more than that, Glory. Sam Miracle and Glory Spalding find themselves caught up in an old war between Father Time and Fate, trapped in a recycling series of calamities that always leave the evil Vulture cackling over the bones of his victims, including Sam’s sister. Sam and Glory are not in a race against time, but a war across time, and every line in their adventure is punctuated by pain.
Pain? But I though this was a kids book. Pain. Yes. Lots of it. This story isn’t safe. But it’s good. It’s very good.
N. D. Wilson writes scary stories on purpose. You can listen to him talk about why in this excellent podcast with Sarah Mackanzie, or read his essay in The Atlantic. Here’s a small part:
Overwhelmingly, in my own family and far beyond, the stories that land with the greatest impact are those where darkness, loss, and danger (emotional or physical) is a reality. But the goal isn’t to steer kids into stories of darkness and violence because those are the stories that grip readers. The goal is to put the darkness in its place. (read it all here)
This book puts darkness in its place, alright. It comes out, guns blazing. Fires fast as a rattler, with both hands. Yes, the main character is a boy with snake arms who shoots guns. Yes, this was somehow allowed to be published in this YOZO (Year of Our Zeitgeist Overlords) 2016. This era in publishing (not to mention education, politics, and media of every kind) is marked by a persistent hostility to boys. It’s refreshing to read a story so friendly to young male readers. I’m grateful! We all should be. There is nothing that would keep girls (who read better and more often than boys at every age level) from enjoying this excellent book. My own brilliant daughter loved it. But Outlaws of Time is rare modern fare that gives boys an example to follow, a hero willing to lay down his life, in a quest to fight evil and rescue one he loves. It’s an old story that’s never cliche. In many ways it’s the story. And here it is again, with snake arms and a time-walking Navaho priest. Wilson, a modern writer who has somehow found the escape-hatch in the tedious, boring prison of p.c. storytelling, is the real Outlaw of Time.
Nate Wilson is a friend, and (disclosure) he gave me an advanced copy of the book. I’ve heard him talk about why (good) scary stories are good (and scary) for kids before. But the recent heap of goodness on the subject came at a particularly important time for me, as I wrestle through the darkness in my next book, The Green Ember Book II: Ember Falls. His wisdom on this subject has sharpened my resolve to lead my readers, many very young, into the mirky waters of a troubling tale. The light shines bright against the darkness, but is unnoticeable when simply set against more light. N. D. Wilson’s light burns like an Arizona sunrise. Long may it light up the sky and scatter the darkness.
I loved Outlaws of Time: The Legend of Sam Miracle. My kids (both female and male he created them) loved it. My wife loved it. They read the paper version and I listened to (American) Macleod Andrews perform the audiobook with energy and mastery. I highly recommend it.
Here’s a video trailer to make the case far better than I can. Behold, a Miracle.
- Make Believe Makes Believers - July 19, 2021
- The Archer’s Cup is Here - September 30, 2020
- It Is What It Is, But It Is Not What It Shall Be - March 30, 2020
I’d love to hear some others’ thoughts on ND Wilson…..My husband and I have both tried to like his books. They came highly recommended from a number of people we respect {including you all here at Story Warren}, but we just can’t. I feel like he fights fear with action, rather than truth. I don’t believe some of his writings fall under the rule of Philippians 4:8. Does he maybe focus on imagined fears that the avg. American child never actually faces, but hears about because of media? Is what he writes dealing with children’s over-exposure to things they aren’t mentally ready for? Why do people feel that American children are living in such fear? What is the source?
As American ex-pats who live in Africa, our family has had to learn to deal with fearful things as part of our life here. Maybe our perspective is so different that we are missing the value in ND Wilson’s books.
Not seeking to be combative at all, just would love a bit of discussion.
Patty, listen to his interview on Read Aloud revival and you might get a better perspective on his writing. Highly recommend it!
Patty, I want to be clear that my thoughts are worthwhile only if they edify you, but I also don’t want you to be ignored, so here are a few:
– While God’s truth is of course a defence against lies that create fear, I agree with your statement that Wilsom fights fear with action, and it’s part of why I like him. 1 Tim 1:7-9, Phil 1:13-15, and 1 John 4:17-19 are examples of a theme I see in the Bible – A theme in which our fear of evil is to be replaced by fear of God and a call to action.
Jesus is our perfect example of love that casts out fear, and His answer to sin was action – the incarnation and a dusty, violent, life and death.
So when I rise in the morning, afraid of all before me that day (and I often do), the call is to love God with all my heart, and love my neighbor (and family) as myself. I am completely dependent on God’s truth for this, but the fear doesn’t really begin to slide off until I start to act.
When I read Wilson’s novels, I see action that depends on Truth for its motivation and direction. And I believe that his novels answer for Phil 4:8 far better than many other books, because they tell the truth about a world that (as you well know) is full of fearful things, yet mastered in the end by an incorruptible seed of Life; because they are full of noble characters acting with courage and love, and so on. I also find them much less graphic or violent than the Old Testament.
I can’t really speak to the plight of American children in general, but I grew up as sheltered as a kid could possibly be, in love, and long before the outside world had shown me anything more scary than dinosaurs, I had nightmares and fears of abandonment. I believe it’s part of the sin condition, part of a fallen world, and not limited to American children.
So… there you go. Thoughts. I hope you find them good for something. 🙂
I really appreciate your reply, James. I like your thoughts on action….if you don’t act on something when you know you are supposed to, you cannot overcome your fear. Someone told me once, faith is the bridge between knowing and doing. Regarding fear, it is true Christ is the end of fear, because He conquers all. In practical, I would like to share one thing that I have found helpful when talking with people that struggle with fear on a regular basis, that is to think truth. Much like you said, Christ is our perfect example, and when faced with temptation, He spoke Truth, the truth of scripture. We have found it helpful for ourselves, our children, and our people here to learn Scripture that speaks of fear, and quote them and claim them when struggling with fear. The truth seems to shine a light in the darkness and press back the dark fingers that seem to crush the soul. Helena Sorensen’s books seem to give a perfect picture of this: these Scriptures are like beautiful lanterns in the shadow.
Thanks for taking the time to share your insight.
I can’t get enough of his podcast with Sarah on read aloud revival. Anyone who questions his writing should really listen to it. He has great thoughts about darkness, magic, and creepy things, I’ve listened to it several times already!