I'm on a bit of a Robin Jarvis kick at the moment, and it was when I reread 'The Dark Portal' (the first in the Deptford Mice series) that I came to realise something.I think that Jarvis taught me the concept of story, in a way. I think he taught me the concept of telling a single story within a greater whole. I am a fan of him, avowedly so, and love his work from the Whitby series to the Deptford books; from Aufwader to Green Mouse and everything in between. His books are big books. They are unashamedly children's books too; scary, challenging and yet accessible literature, told in a rolling style that does not dress itself up behind dense stylistic shapes. These are stories which want to be told, to be read, and when they are read, they have the curious impact of pushing themselves under your skin and settling in that odd unsure space between reality and fiction. I grew up near Whitby and could almost see Aunt Alice, cycling over the bridge and tramping the beach, Ben and Jennet at her side.But the Deptford books, oh the bigness of these books astounds me so (and my thanks to my equally beloved Michelle Magorian for teaching me the proper way to pronounce Deptford). These books are stories which stand hugely in their own right but also layer and cut against each other, their sediment shifting and revealing more of the individual story the more you read the other. This is great and clever work and patient, too, that quiet belief in the story to happen when and how it needs to happen, that shift in perspective that comes when you read one and come back to reread another. I admire this, I admire it greatly. And so The Dark Portal sits, as a beginning to the Deptford Mice, but as a sequel to the Deptford Histories and as a companion to the Deptford Almanac (one of my most treasured books ever). It is, nominally, the story of a group of mice and a group of rats and an evil, terrifying figure in the shadowy sewers called Jupiter. The rats serve Jupiter and the mice keep their wary distance, living above the 'Grille' and rarely making trips down into the sewers. But there is magic in the Grille, dark magic, and one day it makes a mouse called Arthur Brown enter the sewers and so begin a series of dark and terrifying events which could change the world forever.It is a story which sits comfortably and superbly so within itself. The world of the rats and mice (and squirrels, and bats) is huge and layered in mythology, story and truth. There's not one inch of this world I don't believe, and there's a part of me that wouldn't be surprised, even now, to see Twit shimmy up one of the plants outside. His competency in this world, the thick, dense taste of it, is beguiling. And it is powerful, hugely so, These are books that show relatively young readers just what can be achieved in books, in story.(Do note, that if you're reading this with your own mouselets, there are some scary and bloody moments in it so do, as ever, read the book yourself and trust your instincts)The Dark Portal is also a story that swells and grows, the more you read of Jarvis' work. You learn character backstories, motives, rationale and so much more. There are things in these stories which would feed the internet for weeks, and the puzzling out of meaning, the dull suspicion of something more than coincidence, and then the bright clarity of connection , is something that will always make me relish Jarvis' work.Children's literature is good, guys. It's been good for a long while, and I think it's in a bit of a brilliant and golden position right now with the quality of work being produced. But with every trend there are individuals who are ahead of the curve, who are producing world-changing, genre-defining books ahead of their time. Jarvis was, is, one of those authors and The Dark Portal is a wonderful introduction to his work.
I read this a very long time ago and remember enjoying it. I managed to get hold of the series again recently and re-read this first installment. It was like reading a new book. I couldn't remember any of it which was brilliant! It was just as good as I remember and the rating will stay on 4 stars.I can't remember at what age I was when I read this but I'm suprised it didn't give me nightmares. For a children's book it is very dark and quite gruesome!As the rat struggled for breath Jake snatched up the torch and plunged it deep into his enemy.He snapped Fletch's head off, and blood spilled all over the altar.Come to think of it I don't think I read the rest of the series. I wonder why?!Robin Jarvis originally drew a story about mice and rats and the book came afterwards as a result of this. The original books I had had these beautiful illustrations in them. I managed to find them on ebay recently and can't wait to read the rest in the series, with illustrations!
What do You think about The Dark Portal (2001)?
When I was a child I did not read much, my brother was a different kettle of fish and read quite alot (although these days the roles are reversed) I mention this because I remember him reading this one what must be 15 years ago so when I stumbled across it by accident I decided to give it a try.I was anxious that perhaps this would read lke a childrens book (a reasonable assumption) however I am pleased to report that although it is clearly aimed at young people it is certainly a book that can be enjoyed by adults. It is a story of adventure above all else and most people like a good adventure story often regardless at what age group it is aimed at. The story takes place in the sewers underneath London. A group of foul ,murderous rats worship a cat they believe is a god. A small community of mice live in fear of the sewers and rats however the curiosity of one mouse has dire consequences for all the others when he is caught spying.I thoroughly enjoyed the book and found it both entertaining and exciting the story is easy to follow but not dull either and the characters are excellently thought out.This is the first book in a trilogy and I fully intend to read the other two eventually.
—Chris
Despite my disparaging status updates, this book wasn't bad. It took Redwall to darker places. It reminded me of Gregor the Overlander (and not just because it was underground and involved bats). The characters were a bit too simple for me. I liked Audrey and Twit, though. They weren't so bad. Oswald was fine as well, but Arthur didn't have enough character development and neither did Piccadilly. I think I will read the rest of the books in this series, though this book definitely isn't on the same level of a lot of the other books I've been reading. The Tale of Despereaux is even more moralistic and psychological, despite its simple writing style.
—Nix
Another mouse story and another DNF. This must be British because one of the characters meets a very untimely and horrific death (off page) in the first chapter or so. That’s so like the British. Dark children’s literature. I would actually have read it all, and maybe the other two in the series, if I wasn’t pressed for time. I picked it up more because I’m trying to get a sense of what we have in the collection so I can hand-sell some of these books and series. I loved the world building and the magical, mystical qualities of the story. A more grown up (and probably better written) Gregor the Overlander which the librarian read to the third grade last year.
—Elizabeth
