Maurice Sendak Passes Away Age 83 [VIDEO]

May 09, 2020

Maurice Sendak Passes Away Age 83 [VIDEO]

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Maurice Sendak

Author of Where the Wild Things Are, passes away at age 83

“It is rare for an artist to remain beloved throughout his lifetime. Attitudes shift and tastes evolve. As they do, even hallowed creators and entertainers watch themselves become relics in their own time.”(@ The Atlantic)

Maurice Sendak beloved and renowned all over the world for his 1963 book, ‘Where the Wild Things Are’, passed away at the age of 83 on Tuesday May 8, 2020. Certainly one to successfully play on emotions, Sendak drew hearty laughs from the audience of the Colbert Report in January as him and Stephen Colbert sniffed markers on set.

Cover Outside Over There via Amazon

An artist that could accurately capture the darker side of a child’s mind, Maurice Sendak never was one to humor the critics. In fact the louder the critics got, the deeper Sendak dug. His work Outside Over There (1981) which featured an infant who was turned to ice and kidnapped by goblins, produced not only haunting images, but bought to live Sendak’s own inner turmoil of dealing with the newspaper photograph he saw in 1932 of Charles Lindbergh’s murdered son.

Viewing the parent culture as overprotective, Sendak clearly showed the need that children have to express their own inner emotions through Max, the naughty, pint sized young boy who traded reality for a world Where the Wild Things Are. Maurice Sendak believed that when children are forced to deal with feelings such as grief, yearning, anxiety, and rage they seek comfort in fantasy, imagination and pretend worlds. World-renowned series, The Lord of The Rings, came from the inspiring mind of a young 7-year-old J.R.R. Tolkien, who often sought his Middle Earth over reality.

Fans of Maurice Sendak praise his depiction of a character that children are able to relate to. Characters that portray both the fears and vivid imaginations that are found within real children.

Although some say Maurice Sendak scared children because he loved them, one line that shall resonate throughout history in association with the author is, ‘We’ll eat you up — we love you so!’ In fact one of his youngest fans did exactly that when Sendak returned his letter with a drawing of a wild thing.

Maurice Sendak not only was a master at story telling, but truly an anomaly when it came to painting his words through a child’s imagination. Electronic versions can never do justice to legendary tales like Where the Wild Things Are. Because of this, Sendak ensured great literature will forever live on, the same as every child thrives on a healthy imagination.