«"- Shouldn't we be orphans? Barnaby B asked.
The Willoughbys children were seated on the front steps playing a complicated game which only Tim knew the rules.
- Why? asked Barnaby A, moving down a step because the rules said he must if he asked a question, and of course «Why?» was a question.
- Because, Barnaby B explained, we are like children in an old-fashioned book. And -
- Mostly they are orphans, Jane said. She moved down two steps because she had interrupted, which was against the rules, and now she was the lowest of the four.
- Worthy and deserving orphans, Barnaby B added.
- Winsome too, added Jane...
- A sea voyage sometimes produces orphans, Barnaby A pointed out. There are often pirates. Or icebergs.
- And sea serpents, his twin added, event though I don't entirely believe in sea serpents.
- I believe in giant squids, Jane said with a shudder.
- Good point, Tim acknowledged. And piranhas. Are our parents planning a vacation, by any chance? On a ship?"»
Un hommage cocasse et délicieusement irrévérencieux aux classiques de la jeunesse. Lois Lowry plonge le lecteur dans un monde où les clichés littéraires d'antan foisonnent, où les personnages complotent ouvertement les uns contre les autres, sans censure, et sans s'encombrer du politiquement correct: bref, une histoire à la Dickens, sans les bons sentiments... nourrie par une plume désopilante! C'est un bijou stylistique que j'ai dévoré goulûment, jusqu'à la fin de la bibliographie (oui, oui, le glossaire et la bibliographie vous feront autant glousser de bonheur que l'intrigue principale!). Un hybride parfait entre la structure classique et la plume caustique, entre la poignante saga familale et la dérision... un paradoxe de finesse et d'impertinence! Sublime!
Lili lui donne: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
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