Monday, December 22, 2014

Top 10 fictional feasts in children's books

Christopher William’s Hill’s latest book is The Lily-Livered Prince, book three in his Tales From Schwartzgarten series. At the Guardian he tagged ten top fictional feasts in children's books, including:
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by CS Lewis

“It is dull, Son of Adam, to drink without eating,” said the Queen presently. “What would you like best to eat?”

“Turkish Delight, please, your Majesty,” said Edmund.

The Queen let another drop fall from her bottle on to the snow, and instantly there appeared a round box, tied with green silk ribbon, which, when opened, turned out to contain several pounds of the best Turkish Delight. Each piece was sweet and light to the very centre and Edmund had never tasted anything more delicious. He was quite warm now, and very comfortable.

While he was eating, the Queen kept asking him questions. At first Edmund tried to remember that it is rude to speak with one’s mouth full, but soon he forgot about this and thought only of trying to shovel down as much Turkish Delight as he could, and the more he ate the more he wanted to eat, and he never asked himself why the Queen should be so inquisitive.

In The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Turkish Delight is forbidden fruit, and therefore all the more delicious. We know for a fact that Edmund is crossing over to the Dark Side as he wolfs down each morsel of this delectable sweetmeat. Several pounds of Turkish Delight would be more than enough for most children – but not Edmund. As soon as he’s consumed the contents of the box he’s desperate for more. I was such a child and have unfortunately grown up to become such an adult. Gluttony is a sin, no doubt – but a truly delicious way of sinning, don’t you think?
Read about another entry on the list.

The Narnia Chronicles pop up on Paul Goat Allen's list of the ten most badass women in fantasy literature. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is on Melissa Albert's list of a few of the most memorable holiday gifts in fiction and Lev Grossman's list of the six greatest fantasy books of all time.

--Marshal Zeringue