Hardlucky: The Story of a Boy Who Learns How to Think Before He Acts

Gr 2–4—This version of a Jewish parable originally written in 1973 (Lippincott) is less successful than the original. In both versions, Hardlucky experiences bouts of bad fortune. However, the main character has changed from a man to a boy, though the gist of the story remains the same, as does the lesson: think before you act, and you can change your luck. Second, as opposed to the original in which Hardlucky is counseled by an old man riding a mule, in this version, he is advised by the rabbi of Kotsk, which in itself is not a problem for the story. The greater issue is that the reworked text feels stunted and even didactic, while the illustrations merely add to Hardlucky's burden. What was humorous in Fernando Krahn's original cartoonlike pictures has become weighed down by a somber beige palette and dark pen-and-ink characters, particularly Lisowski's portrayal of Hardlucky, who is turned from a buffoonish man into a weary-looking boy. Twice, young Hardlucky gets thrown into jail due to his bad luck, and his sad, dark figure set against a stylized cell door is anything but funny. Many of the situations in which Hardlucky finds himself seem inappropriate for a boy, particularly when compared to the original, which has a much more affectionately amusing tone. Ultimately, the overall heaviness of both the text and the illustrations make this an additional choice at best.—Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library