David and the Phoenix
Encyclopedia
David and the Phoenix is a 1957 children's novel
about a young boy's adventures with a Phoenix
. It was the first book written by American Edward Ormondroyd
, a tale of friendship between two different species, a young boy and a magical bird, beginning with David's education in the ways of the mythical world and ending with the Phoenix's rebirth.
for several weeks and David had, of course, never seen anything like the Phoenix before. The Phoenix seems quite flattered by David's attentions, and takes a shine to him. Thus, the Phoenix decides that he should educate David about the various legendary creature
s in the world—to round out his knowledge. But years of hiding from scientists have made the Phoenix's wings flabby, and David has to coach the rather comical bird on his flying.
The first adventure in the Phoenix's curriculum
for David involves seeing the Gryffins, said to be the friendliest of three similar races: the Gryffins, Gryffons, and Gryffens).
On this journey, they first meet a Witch who goads the Phoenix into a race, which he later wins. Though David never actually meets a Gryffin on his first journey, the Phoenix attempts to talk to a lazy Gryffen. But they get captured by the violent and arrogant Gryffons, who sentence the Phoenix to death for bringing humans into their magic world.
After escaping the Gryffon Cave through combined ingenuity, the Phoenix keeps his appointment with the Witch. David returns home to meet the unpleasant Scientist visiting his parents. David's evasiveness makes the villain suspicious. David warns the Phoenix as he unceremoniously shows up later that night, exhausted from his race. The two friends begin implementing various plans to avoid the Scientist, firstly by finding some buried treasure with the help of a gruff, but friendly Sea Monster, and spending the gold coins on magic items to foil the Scientist's plot to capture the rare bird.
While visiting the magical world to buy necessities, David has a brief adventure with a prankster Leprechaun, meets a cantankerous potion-selling Hag, and even makes friends with a Faun, who races and plays with the boy before joining his people for an alluring dance in the Forest. However, the Phoenix rescues David from remaining too long in this world, which could absorb those beings who are not magical.
Using their collected magical items, the Phoenix and David sabotage the Scientist's equipment and frighten him into leaving town—at least for the moment. However, the old Phoenix celebrates his 500th birthday, and soon reveals he must "bow to tradition," and build himself a pyre
of cinnamon
logs. David tearfully complies with his friend's wishes, buying the necessary items from town.
Unfortunately, the Scientist shows up and follows David up the mountain trails. The Phoenix is reborn, but as a hatchling, does not yet comprehend its peril. David appeals to the young Phoenix, who dimly recognizes a friend, and flies away to avoid captivity. David watches as the Old Phoenix's token, a blue feather, changes to a golden hue.
. However, as the scientist uses a gun and deadly traps, it also might be a criticism of endangered species—the author is also a known environmentalist who has long fought to preserve the Finger Lakes
region of New York, where he currently resides.
However, Edward Ormondroyd's major theme seems to be the ongoing conflict between childhood and adulthood—instead of putting away "childish things," the older Phoenix seeks to educate David (and the reader) that adults can also have imaginations, and can enjoy fantasy on its own merits. Too often, parents and teachers discourage fantasy literature as being frivolous and unprofitable—the Phoenix argues that without mythology, David's education is not complete.
David meets many mythological creatures, including; The eponymous Phoenix
, Griffin
s, Faun
s, Sea Monsters
, a Banshee
, Nymph
s, and Leprechaun
s. However, the author concludes that fantasy should not be confused with reality—the Phoenix actually rescues David from falling permanently under the influence of the magical world; instead, he returns the boy to his home.
and the filming of Roald Dahl
novels during the past decade. As of October 2005, there have been negotiations between the author and a private animation-film company to produce a feature-length "David and the Phoenix," but nothing concrete has been announced by the author as yet.
In 2002 Full Cast Audio released an unabridged recording of the novel, as read by a cast of ten actors, and featuring Ormondroyd himself as narrator. The production was hailed by AudioFile Magazine, which said, "Every line of the book's warmth, humor, and gentleness comes to life in Bruce Coville's superb multicast production."
Some Dark Shadows
fans have speculated as to the surface similarity between Ormondroyd's whimsical novel, and the 1967 subplot featuring Laura Murdoch Collins, who reveals her true sinister nature as Laura the Phoenix, as she tries to claim her estranged nine year old boy—named David. However, writer Malcolm Marmorstein
has never been asked whether this book might have inspired his decision to make Laura Collins into this mythological creature.
New York Times best selling author David Weber
used the book as a recurring motif in the Honor Harrington
novel At All Costs
, with a brief footnote about his own childhood love for the book. In fact, the original cover of At All Costs shows Honor Harrington reading from David and the Phoenix to her infant son Raoul.
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
about a young boy's adventures with a Phoenix
Phoenix (mythology)
The phoenix or phenix is a mythical sacred firebird that can be found in the mythologies of the Arabian, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Chinese, Indian and Phoenicians....
. It was the first book written by American Edward Ormondroyd
Edward Ormondroyd
Edward Ormondroyd is an American author of children's books. He is best known for David and the Phoenix, a fantasy novel. His time travel novel Time at the Top was filmed for television in 1999....
, a tale of friendship between two different species, a young boy and a magical bird, beginning with David's education in the ways of the mythical world and ending with the Phoenix's rebirth.
Plot summary
The novel begins with David moving to a new house at the base of some beautiful mountains. Rather than settle in the new house, he decides to climb the next day. Upon reaching the summit, he encounters the brash Phoenix. At first they are frightened of each other, as Phoenix had been chased by a ScientistScientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
for several weeks and David had, of course, never seen anything like the Phoenix before. The Phoenix seems quite flattered by David's attentions, and takes a shine to him. Thus, the Phoenix decides that he should educate David about the various legendary creature
Legendary creature
A legendary creature is a mythological or folkloric creature.-Origin:Some mythical creatures have their origin in traditional mythology and have been believed to be real creatures, for example the dragon, the unicorn, and griffin...
s in the world—to round out his knowledge. But years of hiding from scientists have made the Phoenix's wings flabby, and David has to coach the rather comical bird on his flying.
The first adventure in the Phoenix's curriculum
Curriculum
See also Syllabus.In formal education, a curriculum is the set of courses, and their content, offered at a school or university. As an idea, curriculum stems from the Latin word for race course, referring to the course of deeds and experiences through which children grow to become mature adults...
for David involves seeing the Gryffins, said to be the friendliest of three similar races: the Gryffins, Gryffons, and Gryffens).
On this journey, they first meet a Witch who goads the Phoenix into a race, which he later wins. Though David never actually meets a Gryffin on his first journey, the Phoenix attempts to talk to a lazy Gryffen. But they get captured by the violent and arrogant Gryffons, who sentence the Phoenix to death for bringing humans into their magic world.
After escaping the Gryffon Cave through combined ingenuity, the Phoenix keeps his appointment with the Witch. David returns home to meet the unpleasant Scientist visiting his parents. David's evasiveness makes the villain suspicious. David warns the Phoenix as he unceremoniously shows up later that night, exhausted from his race. The two friends begin implementing various plans to avoid the Scientist, firstly by finding some buried treasure with the help of a gruff, but friendly Sea Monster, and spending the gold coins on magic items to foil the Scientist's plot to capture the rare bird.
While visiting the magical world to buy necessities, David has a brief adventure with a prankster Leprechaun, meets a cantankerous potion-selling Hag, and even makes friends with a Faun, who races and plays with the boy before joining his people for an alluring dance in the Forest. However, the Phoenix rescues David from remaining too long in this world, which could absorb those beings who are not magical.
Using their collected magical items, the Phoenix and David sabotage the Scientist's equipment and frighten him into leaving town—at least for the moment. However, the old Phoenix celebrates his 500th birthday, and soon reveals he must "bow to tradition," and build himself a pyre
Pyre
A pyre , also known as a funeral pyre, is a structure, usually made of wood, for burning a body as part of a funeral rite...
of cinnamon
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several trees from the genus Cinnamomum that is used in both sweet and savoury foods...
logs. David tearfully complies with his friend's wishes, buying the necessary items from town.
Unfortunately, the Scientist shows up and follows David up the mountain trails. The Phoenix is reborn, but as a hatchling, does not yet comprehend its peril. David appeals to the young Phoenix, who dimly recognizes a friend, and flies away to avoid captivity. David watches as the Old Phoenix's token, a blue feather, changes to a golden hue.
Characters in "David and the Phoenix"
- David – a young boy, protagonist. Highly inquisitive, he begins the story fascinated by the mountain and learns much about life from his adventures with the Phoenix.
- The Phoenix – a mythical bird with a tendency toward arrogance. The Phoenix is wise and seems to care about David. Near the end of the book he turns 500 and is reborn.
- Scientist – The antagonist, seeks to capture the Phoenix for experimentation—uses guns and traps.
Major themes
The book might be interpreted as an extended metaphor for the supposed inability of Science and Mythology to coexist. The Scientist represents a certain aspect of science which seeks to destroy things outside its paradigmParadigm
The word paradigm has been used in science to describe distinct concepts. It comes from Greek "παράδειγμα" , "pattern, example, sample" from the verb "παραδείκνυμι" , "exhibit, represent, expose" and that from "παρά" , "beside, beyond" + "δείκνυμι" , "to show, to point out".The original Greek...
. However, as the scientist uses a gun and deadly traps, it also might be a criticism of endangered species—the author is also a known environmentalist who has long fought to preserve the Finger Lakes
Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes are a pattern of lakes in the west-central section of Upstate New York in the United States. They are a popular tourist destination. The lakes are long and thin , each oriented roughly on a north-south axis. The two longest, Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake, are among the deepest in...
region of New York, where he currently resides.
However, Edward Ormondroyd's major theme seems to be the ongoing conflict between childhood and adulthood—instead of putting away "childish things," the older Phoenix seeks to educate David (and the reader) that adults can also have imaginations, and can enjoy fantasy on its own merits. Too often, parents and teachers discourage fantasy literature as being frivolous and unprofitable—the Phoenix argues that without mythology, David's education is not complete.
David meets many mythological creatures, including; The eponymous Phoenix
Phoenix (mythology)
The phoenix or phenix is a mythical sacred firebird that can be found in the mythologies of the Arabian, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Chinese, Indian and Phoenicians....
, Griffin
Griffin
The griffin, griffon, or gryphon is a legendary creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle...
s, Faun
Faun
The faun is a rustic forest god or place-spirit of Roman mythology often associated with Greek satyrs and the Greek god Pan.-Origins:...
s, Sea Monsters
Sea Monsters
Sea Monsters was a BBC television trilogy which used computer-generated imagery to show past life in Earth's seas. In the U.S. it was known as Chased by Sea Monsters. It was made by Impossible Pictures, the creators of Walking with Dinosaurs, Walking with Beasts and Walking with Monsters...
, a Banshee
Banshee
The banshee , from the Irish bean sí is a feminine spirit in Irish mythology, usually seen as an omen of death and a messenger from the Otherworld....
, Nymph
Nymph
A nymph in Greek mythology is a female minor nature deity typically associated with a particular location or landform. Different from gods, nymphs are generally regarded as divine spirits who animate nature, and are usually depicted as beautiful, young nubile maidens who love to dance and sing;...
s, and Leprechaun
Leprechaun
A leprechaun is a type of fairy in Irish folklore, usually taking the form of an old man, clad in a red or green coat, who enjoys partaking in mischief. Like other fairy creatures, leprechauns have been linked to the Tuatha Dé Danann of Irish mythology...
s. However, the author concludes that fantasy should not be confused with reality—the Phoenix actually rescues David from falling permanently under the influence of the magical world; instead, he returns the boy to his home.
Developments
This book enjoyed a resurgence of popularity in the wake of Harry PotterHarry Potter
Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J. K. Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry...
and the filming of Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl was a British novelist, short story writer, fighter pilot and screenwriter.Born in Wales to Norwegian parents, he served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, in which he became a flying ace and intelligence agent, rising to the rank of Wing Commander...
novels during the past decade. As of October 2005, there have been negotiations between the author and a private animation-film company to produce a feature-length "David and the Phoenix," but nothing concrete has been announced by the author as yet.
In 2002 Full Cast Audio released an unabridged recording of the novel, as read by a cast of ten actors, and featuring Ormondroyd himself as narrator. The production was hailed by AudioFile Magazine, which said, "Every line of the book's warmth, humor, and gentleness comes to life in Bruce Coville's superb multicast production."
Some Dark Shadows
Dark Shadows
Dark Shadows is a gothic soap opera that originally aired weekdays on the ABC television network, from June 27, 1966 to April 2, 1971. The show was created by Dan Curtis. The story bible, which was written by Art Wallace, does not mention any supernatural elements...
fans have speculated as to the surface similarity between Ormondroyd's whimsical novel, and the 1967 subplot featuring Laura Murdoch Collins, who reveals her true sinister nature as Laura the Phoenix, as she tries to claim her estranged nine year old boy—named David. However, writer Malcolm Marmorstein
Malcolm Marmorstein
Malcolm Marmorstein is a British television writer.-Positions held:Peyton Place, Love Bites, Dead Men Don't Die, ABC Weekend Specials, The Witching of Ben Wagner, Konrad, Rose Petal Place: Real Friends, Poochie, Return from Witch Mountain, Pete's Dragon, Whiffs, Mary, Mary, Bloody Mary, S*P*Y*S,...
has never been asked whether this book might have inspired his decision to make Laura Collins into this mythological creature.
New York Times best selling author David Weber
David Weber
David Mark Weber is an American science fiction and fantasy author. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Weber and his wife Sharon live in Greenville, South Carolina with their three children and "a passel of dogs"....
used the book as a recurring motif in the Honor Harrington
Honorverse
The Honorverse refers to the military science fiction book series and sub-series created by David Weber and published by Baen Books. The series is set primarily after Honor Harrington's October 1, 3961, birth; although she is the protagonist in most of the stories, more recent entries make only...
novel At All Costs
At All Costs
-Plot summary:Due to the actions of the High Ridge government in War of Honor, which led to a successful attack on key Alliance shipyards by the Republic of Haven, the Star Kingdom of Manticore finds itself decidedly on the short end of the strategic balance between the two warring star nations...
, with a brief footnote about his own childhood love for the book. In fact, the original cover of At All Costs shows Honor Harrington reading from David and the Phoenix to her infant son Raoul.
Release details
- 1957, UK, Follett (ISBN NA), Pub date ? ? 1957, Hardback (First edition)
- 1981, USA, Scholastic Paperbacks (ISBN 0-590-31276-6), Pub date ? June 1981, paperback
- 2000, USA, Purple House PressPurple House PressPurple House Press is a publishing house based in Cynthiana, Kentucky. Founded in 2000 by former software engineer Jill Morgan, it specializes in bringing out-of-print children's books back into print....
(ISBN 1-930900-00-7), Pub date ? September 2000, hardback - 2001, USA, Purple House Press (ISBN 1-930900-01-5), Pub date ? January 2001, paperback
- 2001, USA, Purple House Press (ISBN 1-930900-13-9), Pub date ? July 2001, hardback
- 2002, USA, Full Cast Audio, unabridged recording
- ?, USA, Scholastic Paperbacks (ISBN 0-590-72122-4), Pub date ? ? ?, paperback