Maurice Sendak

Maurice Sendak is so interesting. I always loved Where the Wild Things Are when I was a kid, and Chicken Soup with Rice. I didn't know anything about the man behind the books until around 4 years ago when I saw him on Now with Bill Moyers.

You can view the whole interview here: http://www.pbs.org/n...rts/sendak.html

Be sure to click on part 2 when the first one finishes.

He talks about where inspiration for Where the Wild Things Are came from, witnessing the death of his best friend when he was a child, and his poor family-life. I was baffled by how dark the interview was.

He recently did an interview with Terry Gross on NPR. Discussing his new book "Bumble-ardy", and looking back on his life.

  Quote

"When I did Bumble-ardy, I was so intensely aware of death," he says. "Eugene, my friend and partner, was dying here in the house when I did Bumble-ardy. I did Bumble-ardy to save myself. I did not want to die with him. I wanted to live as any human being does. But there's no question that the book was affected by what was going on here in the house. ... Bumble-ardy was a combination of the deepest pain and the wondrous feeling of coming into my own. And it took a long time. It took a very long time."

Audio interview here: http://www.npr.org/2...-sendaks-latest

I've been so drawn to him for several years now. I have difficulty with not tearing up when I talk about him. Anyways, look at the interviews (in the order I posted, preferably) and discuss I guess.

'where the wild things are' is brilliant! i've the first edition on the shelf, the same copy i was given as a child. i read it regularly

Agreed, I've read his newest Bumble-Ardy 3 or 4 times now. I recommend it. Watch that Bill Moyers interview then, troon. The idea behind it is fascinating.

alright

wow, that was incredibly good. interesting sendak's vague reaction to suggested symbolism, reminds me of tolkien

wild things is my fav book ever so maurice sendak is bascially my hero

I loved his books when I was little, great stylized illustrations. I also remember the one about being in the kitchen at night orsomething, I forget what it was called.