Title: Merriol and the Lord Hycarbox
Author: Jennifer Hashmi
Publisher: AuthorHouseUK
ISBN: 9781491889923
Pages: 76
Genre: Juvenile Fiction/General
Reviewed by: Carol Davala
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Jennifer Hashmi’s “Merriol and the Lord Hycarbox” is an imaginative and worthy collection featuring four children’s stories that serve to illuminate the varying states of greed, misfortune, and imbalance that plague our world. As intended, the ultimate reveal is to suggest the connection between consciousness and the universe, and to recognize that morality and judgments affect the overall state of our planet.
Initially we meet Merriol, the messenger for Hycarbox, The Lord of the Earth. As a servant to this Lord of Ever Ever Land, Merriol works as the intermediary attending to necessary matters that often involve distressing states of human affairs and a fading moral compass. Adding to the mystery of this realm, Hashmi incorporates a fantastical element by visibly displaying Merriol’s thoughts and feelings via a TV-like screen in his chest. In the opening story of “Merriol and The School Children”, the focus is on a group of boys being extorted for money by their older classmate, Ravi. To appease the bully, the boys feel forced to lie and steal from their parents, but eventually come clean. Meanwhile Hycarbox enlists the aid of another emissary in order to show Ravi the error of his ways, it is a lesson that sticks, as Ravi soon steps forward to confess and atone for his wrongdoings.
“Merriol and The Little Cat” exemplifies the value of all creatures to this planet. When young Ben offers shelter to a small cat caught in a storm, his parents clearly want no part in entertaining this creature in their home. Subsequently they are made aware of a Golden Retriever’s heroic rescue of their son from a near drowning and kidnapping. In a moment reminiscent of the classic Americana “Lassie” television series where that beloved Collie informs us that Timmy has fallen in the well, Ben’s parents soon realize the importance of our furry friends, and ultimately acquiesce to having the little feline join their family. A third story, “Merriol and The Old Lady” involves a class project where students are expected to perform good deeds. Here a simple act of kindness allows an ill and mistreated woman to reunite with her welcoming family.
In the final tale of “Merriol and The Biknor Demonstration” we see the harm of industrial pollution. Here the Lord of the Earth is concerned that luxury and profit are taking precedence over the health of the population, and the environment. Worried about his sister’s asthma condition, we see Danny and a group of friends demonstrate against a negligent company owner. Amidst police intervention, the press, and a clever Morse code escape incident, attention is brought to Danny’s cause and a younger generation factory owner agrees to update the facility and incorporate a modern business vision.
While illustrations for this collection are limited, those provided by Floyd Ryan Yamyamin are keenly reflective of the narratives’ central action. Characters in colorful sari garb, and Merriol’s appearance as a turban-clad winged messenger wearing curl-toed shoes, lend a cultural flair and magical vision to these stories.
Though born in England, the author spent much time in India. For several years Hashmi was associated with the Abhishiktananda Society in Delhi, an organization which highlighted the spiritual experience of the One-ness of God and creation. Through her connection with Sisters at the Convent of Incarnation in Oxford, and talks about reparation to heal the distance between God and Man, Hashmi felt the acceptance of non-duality without sensing it as a compromise to her faith in Christ. Clearly Hashmi’s religious thought and background proved inspirational in writing this children’s book. It is a work instilled with important teachings and valuable life lessons. Whether these stories are experienced by a child reading on their own, or referenced by a parent or teacher as an instructional tool, Hashmi has woven the elemental themes of spirituality, nature, and humanity into an intricate and thought-provoking tapestry of engaging children’s literature.
