The adventurousness and at times almost film-like activities of the characters make the insights into the psychology of the child attractive. The witty but didactically emphatic stress on the ethical dimension of human actions and responsibility for one’s own behaviour are part of Futová’s characteristic poetics of good fun and the process of discovery of an inquisitive child.
Eva Faithová
The strong side of Futová’s narration is an attractive story presented through the personal experience of the protagonist. It gives readers a feeling of authenticity and helps them to “step into” the action. In this case too the author has relied on a naturally narrated plot. Her aim is to help readers identify themselves with the way of thinking of an animal. They witness its behaviour, its inner feelings. They can come to know its needs better and be amused by the situations the little tomcat finds itself in on account of its “baby-like” thinking. The author lets her readers identify themselves with the story and form their own opinion of it. She trusts in the strength of the narration without unnecessary explanations and lecturing.
Timotea Vráblová
Futová’s problematic characters “suit” her very well as an author. They are lively and attractive from the reader’s point of view simply because she allows them freedom. She lets them show themselves to be as they probably are. In short, she does not shape them like bonsai.
Timotea Vráblová
In their book Zmätené dvojičky zo slepej uličky (Neobyčajné postrehy dvoch školákov) / Confused Twins from a Blind Alley (Remarkable insights of two schoolchildren) Gabriela Futová and Roman Brat offer the narration of twelve-year-old twins Ria and Riša, which enables them to look at situations at once from “both sides of the coin”. The protagonists take turns to tell their intimate story boldly, sincerely and each from their own point of view. The dialogue is developed not only between the characters, but also between the authors. Each of the authors supports their own protagonist. It is a brilliant idea and the little book is infused with the atmosphere of good humour, light-heartedness and fun that probably accompanied this cooperation. As they grow up, Futová’s Ria is a healthily confident, intelligent, sensitive partner for Brat’s Riša, who as a boy seems to be maturing at a somewhat slower pace. The twins “insights” reveal that they are both in their own way leader types. Suitable model figures. Typically for their age, they waver in strength of character, they blunder between childlikeness, childishness and mature judgment. They are a credible example of a couple of siblings who rarely show openly their understanding and love of each other. Nevertheless behind the scenes they never cease to protect and support each other. By getting to know the problems of men and women they give each other a valuable view from the other side. The implicit message of the book is motivational and encouraging. It gently provokes the reader to look beyond the surface of emotions and see the goal they consciously or unconsciously wish to reach, that is, a sincere, excellent relationship, the ability to take responsibility, the knowledge of who they are, who and what they can rely on in life and what they are able to achieve.
Timotea Vráblová
