Denver

The stars given are, in this instance, for the illustrations, which are superb as one would expect from McKee. Full of his expressive people (and animals) with lots of flat colour and interesting perspectives, they are jolly and wonderful. However, this reviewer found some problems with the parable in the text. Denver is ‘very, very rich’, and he uses his riches to make the village people happy. He hires them to work in his big house, he gives out school prizes, and at Christmas he plays Santa. Everyone loves him. But one day a worm enters this paradise in the form of a stranger dressed in black. He sows discontent amongst the villagers: ‘Why should Denver have so much money and you so little?’ he asks. When Denver hears the village gossip, he generously sells up all he has and parcels it out amongst his neighbours. He goes off to paint – his favourite pastime, and in the process becomes prosperous again. His old friends, the villagers, meanwhile spend their money and become discontented once more. Being content with what one has is a good thing, but in this story the ‘content’ seems to be of the ‘rich man in his castle, the poor man at his gate’ variety. Is this a tad out-of-date in our world?