Readers who couldn't get enough of the peculiar children would be wishing the leaves turn red, yellow, and orange at this very instant. Ransom Riggs announced the sequel to "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" and its two sequels. The first book is scheduled for publication this fall.
It was natural that the success of "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" would lead to an adaptation of the bestseller to the big screen. Tim Burton felt at home in a peculiar surrounding, but his take on Riggs's novel was a downer. For one, the director also drew certain episodes from the sequels, namely "Hollow City" and "Library of Souls". (In fairness to Burton, he may not be anticipating the box-office success of his adaptation of Riggs's novel. It would remain to be seen if 20th Century Fox gives the green light to film "Hollow City".) Second, the American filmmaker omitted much of the first half of the book, which took place in the real world. It was a shame, as the episodes were as intriguing and engaging as Jacob Portman's excursion inside the loop. Last but not the least, Riggs depicted a very fascinating, if not mysterious, history of the cold Welsh countryside. The author grew up in sunny Florida.
If you haven't read the trilogy, then you're not too late to start on it sooner. Here are three reasons:
Jacob Portman is an unextraordinary lad. Riggs would deceive his readers at the very beginning, as Jacob seemed to have it all. He was working in his family-owned company, which happened to be his first job. His colleagues resented his lack of resolve to work harder, as the teenager was aware that he would get a part of the (family) stock in the near future. It turned out that Jacob was precocious for his young age; he wasn't good in lying, as he preferred to drop the pretense (in the presence of adults). He had an unsentimental attitude towards friendship, as his peculiar habits made other teens uneasy toward him. And he was too thoughtful for his own good. In other words, Jacob was unlike any teenage boy. Then again, many authors have used this type of character as their lead for an unforgettable adventure. It was a dark fantasy in this case, but Jacob would grow on the readers.
Psychology may not be for everyone. It had nothing to do with some terms, which may be too technical for the human mind to comprehend at an instant. It was about being aware of one's capabilities and limits, which would be a sensitive issue. In this regard, Riggs analyzed the strong bond between Jacob and Abraham, his grandfather, and the distance between Abraham and Franklin, his son. (Franklin is Jacob's old man as well.) Franklin didn't resent the lack of quality time between him and his father, as he would describe him as an emotional Fort Knox. Franklin, a frustrated author, would believe that the Second World War was the reason behind his father's inability to embrace his family during his younger years. It wasn't hard to figure out the real reason: It was Jacob, not Franklin, who inherited Abraham's peculiar powers. "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" showed that Jacob and Abraham were the only ones who could see hollowgasts, humanoid, tentacle-mouthed creatures, while "Hollow City" revealed Jacob's ability to talk (and control) them. Readers must look into "Library of Souls" to find out Jacob's other gift, but the title would give them a hint. And Franklin couldn't still get it.
Cairnholm should be a top tourist destination. A teenage boy as old as Jacob was willing to sacrifice his young life to appease the spirits of the bogs on the other end of the Cairnholm. Fog would keep the other half in perpetual gray, where Miss Peregrine and her (peculiar) wards have been hiding for decades. This Welsh seaside community may be far from a setting of a Shakespeare tragedy, but the enigma could profit the inhabitants. Think of Loch Ness. Do a Google search on the medieval castles. Read Harry Potter again.
This is the beginning. Wait for the next episode.
