To the extent there’s “angry politics” in The Borribles, it seems to me to be, uh, libertarian or something. Certainly the upper-crusty Rumbles are not the most fearsome or hateful villains in the book. Dewdrop and Flinthead, each a vile authoritarian in his own way, vie for top honors in this category. I suppose you could wedge Dewdrop into the capitalist robber-baron category, whereas Flinthead is a perfect Fascist.

And then there’s the cops.

Younger readers will thankfully be spared consideration of possible socio-political commentary when reading the books. They are really good.

It’s such a shame de Larrabeiti didn’t write more. I love the angry politics to the books, the unabashed violence, death and strong emotion.

I felt like de Larrabeiti – like all good childrens’ lit authors – understands that childhood is not something that children themselves view as nostalgic, but rather a time of intense emotions, fear, violence and love, etc. So much more resonant than watered-down vision of childhood a la famous five or what-have-you.