Sweet Sounds: Mossflower by Brian Jacques

Goodreads Synopsis:

The thrilling prequel to "Redwall". The clever and greedy wildcat Tsarmina becomes ruler of all Mossflower Woods and is determined to govern the peaceful woodlanders with an iron paw. The brave mouse Martin and quick-talking mouse thief Gonff meet in the depths of Kotir Castle's dungeon. The two escape and resolve to end Tsarmina's tyrannical rule. Joined by Young Dinny the mole, Martin and Gonff set off on a dangerous quest for Salamandastron, where they are convinced that their only hope, Boar the Fighter, still lives.

Audio Review:

Brian Jacques, in my opinion, is one of the few authors in the last thirty years whose works crossed the line from just "books" to "literature." What is the difference? A fictional book becomes literature when, at minimum, it contains excellent vocabulary and sentence structure, a semi-complex plot, and well rounded characters that develop and grow throughout the course of the story. Redwall does not disappoint in any of these respects. This series is enjoyable to read, but even more fun to listen to. (Just ask my twenty year-old brother who after discovering the series about ten years ago has listened to all the Redwalls available on audio at least four times a piece and is still listening...) The recently deceased Jacques with a full cast of actors narrate all the Redwall audios. 

The only negative I would mention is also one of the aspects that gives Redwall its unique charm. Jacques has given many of the species of animals an unusual accent. The most notable example of this are the moles who articulate with exceedingly thick brogues and use such words as "girt." As a result, there are times when it can be difficult to understand what the characters are saying. If you are new to Redwall, there are a few different places you could start.  I would suggest beginning either at the beginning with "Redwall" or with one of the prequels such as "Martin the Warrior" or "Mossflower." I particularly enjoy "Mossflower," as it chronicles the events that lead to the founding of the famed Redwall Abbey and gives the listener a tingly, delicious, sense of beginning. 

The thing I probably appreciate most about this series is the multiple narrator format. In my opinion it makes the story more engaging and helps keep the multitudinous characters distinct. For these stories this works well, but I have found that I also enjoy a single narrator. For example, John R. Erickson does a phenomenal job narrating the Hank the Cowdog series. (You can read more about Hank here.)

What do you think of audiobooks with multiple narrators and radio theatre? Do you prefer this format or a single narrator?

If you like Redwall, check out these obscure gems:

Note: these are not available in audio format that I am aware of.



~Alyssa

The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge

Throwback Tweens Read Thursdays

Goodreads Synopsis:

When orphaned young Maria Merryweather arrives at Moonacre Manor, she feels as if she’s entered Paradise. Her new guardian, her uncle Sir Benjamin, is kind and funny; the Manor itself feels like home right away; and every person and animal she meets is like an old friend. But there is something incredibly sad beneath all of this beauty and comfort—a tragedy that happened years ago, shadowing Moonacre Manor and the town around it—and Maria is determined to learn about it, change it, and give her own life story a happy ending. But what can one solitary girl do?

A new-fashioned story that is as wonderful as the best fairy tales.

Review:

After my post about the importance of old books, I decided it was high time we began reviewing them! Introducing: Throwback Tweens Read Thursdays! We'll start with this gem of a book. The Little White Horse has all the right components that comprise a good fairy tale: a struggle between good an evil, character growth, romance, and magic. Elizabeth Goudge is an excellent wordsmith and brings every moment to life in a deliciously lyrical manner.

The Little White Horse exudes a quirky brand of charm. The name of the characters in particular suggest a vivid imagination and love of words in the author. Indeed, these names suggest the personality of each character, before description is ever given. For example, give your imagination reign with these tasty confections: Loveday Minette, Marmaduke Scarlet, and Zachariah the Cat. Perhaps you imagined sweetness in Loveday, a temper in Marmaduke, and realized that Zachariah is no ordinary cat.

Maria, the primary protagonist, is a strong female character in possession of many of the qualities desirous in an effective leader. I particularly love Maria's tenacity. She has her faults, but each time she is confronted with them, she does not try to make excuses or pass blame on someone else. Rather, she faces them, immediately takes steps to change them, and perseveres in her improvement. This quality is what truly characterizes Maria as a mature thirteen year old who is "wise beyond her years."

I was a little frightened to reread this book, because occasionally some of the charm disappears from first read to second. Not so with The Little White Horse! Now, I must admit, as with most books, this is not a book for everyone. (In fact, I only know of one that fully fits that description.) However, if you or your tweens enjoy a good fairy tale with a strong portrayal of good and evil, this is the book for you!

What are some of your favorite "throwback" books? Let us know!

~Alyssa