Redwall by Brian Jacques
Ranked #3,747 in Books, Poetry & Writing, #135,209 overall
Redwall - Book Review
Redwall is the first book written in a series, which also has the name Redwall. The author, Brian Jacques, is from Liverpool, England and the story is set in a rather English type of countryside. There is one important difference, however, the characters are all talking animals!
My daughter and I decided to read Redwall, and the rest of the books in the series, quite a while ago. Actually, they're not written in the order of the chronology of events, which caused me a bit of confusion at one point. But Redwall was written first, and it is a wonderful introduction to the whole world, the creatures, and the style of storytelling that has become a favorite in our house. This review hopefully gives a flavor of that world, without any real spoilers!
Redwall from Amazon.com
Table of Contents
- Redwall
- The Animals of Redwall
- Introduction to Matthias, the hero of Redwall:
- Matthias is an Unlikely Hero!
- The Redwall Style
- Why I Love Redwall
- Your turn
- About the Author Brian Jacques
- The Redwall Series on DVD
- More books in the Redwall series
- Are you a Redwall Fan?
- The official Redwall site
- About Me
- Some of my recent pages on Squidoo
- Copyright Notice
Redwall
The first book written by Brian Jacques in the Redwall series
Redwall (Redwall, Book 1)
Amazon Price: $4.95 (as of 02/16/2012)
This is the book that started the whole Redwall series - the enchanting books by Brian Jacques that have youngsters, as well as those of us of the more mature persuasion, devouring the tales with almost as much glee as the animals in the books enjoy their magnificent feasts!
“A great tale set in an almost real world of talking animals.”
The Animals of Redwall
Redwall is an abbey, and it is populated by animals. There are badgers, hedgehogs, moles, mice, squirrels, otters, shrews, hares, and various birds who are all basically the good guys. Their young ones are called "Dibbuns" and are usually mischievous, but also often save the day.
Badger, Fox, Owl, and Mouse
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The vermin (mostly rats, but also ferrets, weasels, and sometimes foxes) are the villains. There are also miscellaneous creatures, often reptiles, like snakes and toads, and giant fish (well giant compared to mice, rats, and shrews!) that are dangerous to both sides.
Introduction to Matthias, the hero of Redwall:
"Er, sorry, Father Abbot. I tripped, y'see. Trod on my Abbot, Father Habit. Oh dear, I mean ..."
Matthias is an Unlikely Hero!
Matthias enters the story on page 1, introduced as a "comical little figure" who trips and lands at the feet of the abbey's leader, Abbot Mortimer. Hence, the stumbling explanation of his plight posted above. From such an introduction Matthias seems an unlikely hero.
Oh and yes, Matthias is a mouse!
But this is the world of talking animals and we soon come to love Matthias and his friends, especially when they encounter the craziest creatures on their quest to save their home from the evil rats that threaten to take it over.
The Redwall Style
Redwall was written to be suitable for children, specifically blind children, and so has a very descriptive writing style. Jacques made used words to paint pictures of the scenes, the creatures, and the action. This style gave the blind children the best chance to create the stories accurately in their imaginations.
I was not sure I'd love books written for children in this fashion, being a bit lacking in patience myself! But they captured my imagination instantly. Although Redwall hasn't made it to my list of Favorite Books to Re-read, that's only because I haven't finished reading the whole series yet! Surely when I get to the end, I'll be happy to pick up the first one and start all over again.
Redwall Gift Set: Outcast of Redwall; Mossflower; Martin the Warrior
Amazon Price: $26.78 (as of 02/16/2012)
Why I Love Redwall
- 1Well, first off, I just love the way all the different animals have their own dialects. The moles go "Hurr, Burr" and love "deeper'n'ever turnip'n'tater'n'beetroot pie." The shrews are led by "Log-a-Log" who gets called "Log-a-Thing" by the hares, who generally speak like British country gentlemen, all "wot, wot," and "good old chap" and make fun of every "bally" thing, even the direst dangers. There are also the Sparras (sparrows) who shout stuff like "killee, killee, chop up all mouses, killee dead quickfast!" And in a later book there's some birds from the North Country who have Scottish accents - McTalon is one of my favorites! And all these funny creatures get along so well (at least the good ones do, the evildoers tend to fight among themselves a lot).
- 2I love the descriptions of the amazing delicious food they serve at their feasts, and even at the homes of friendly creatures the brave ones meet on their quests. It's incredible how many types of drinks, pies, cakes, salads, and generally delicious foods they manage to make from the berries, fruits, herbs, plants, and nuts that would grow in an English countryside. Just reading the book makes your mouth water!
- 3Even though the story is in some sense predictable - good triumphs over evil - there are so many twists and turns, riddles and unexpected friends appearing, that it's just a joy to read. The characters develop too. Some go from being a young "Dibbuns" to reaching adulthood, while the adults also age, usually quite gracefully.
- 4The message of the story is undeniably good. Good is better than evil. Friendship and trustworthiness are valued. Care and compassion make for a better life. But when evil threatens those you love, your family, your home, you'd better fight to protect them, even at the cost of your life! And, yes there are deaths and not just the bad guys - true to life really
- 5And finally, I guess I really love this story because its setting is so British! In many ways the characters and the countryside just seem so familiar, so real, so comfortable.
Your turn
Write a review, add a comment, or debate someone who disagrees with you.
What did you think?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byLove it! Great read.
writer_cb says:
I have read a few of the Red wall books; I then got intimidated by the realization that there were many, many more books in the series waiting for me. So I stopped. But I remember liking the series; it reminded me in some ways of Narnia and of The Hobbit. I am sure I will pick it up again some day. Great lens! I like your reasons for liking it; your list is very personal and honest.
Posted March 02, 2011
says:
good lens
Posted December 08, 2010
Geoffrey Rodriguez says:
I am 17 years old and I am reading this book for my Senior Exit Research Paper Novel...That's how great this book is. It's for anyone, any age.
Posted September 29, 2010
Mattemeo says:
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! READ IT IN SCHOOL!!! GREAT MIDDLE SKOOLER BOOK!!!
Posted August 25, 2010
AlishaV says:
I've read a few a few of the Redwall books and adore thm. They're so fun and interesting
Posted September 15, 2009
Sorry, not my cup of tea.
About the Author Brian Jacques
The author of Redwall is Brian Jacques - his name is pronounced "Jakes" because although his father's lineage has French origin he was born in Liverpool, England into a family of Irish ancestry. He realized at an early age he had a talent for writing, when his teacher refused to believe he wrote the story he wrote about animals himself!
Leaving school at 15, Brian became a merchant seaman. After traveling the world, he got tired of the lonely life and returned to his hometown of Liverpool. There he had a variety of jobs, one of which involved delivering milk to a school for the blind. Redwall was written for the blind children at that school.
The ideas for the characters and their stories come from Brian's life experiences, and the stories of the people he has met. The good creatures are based on people who live in different parts of Britain, complete with their different accents. Living through World War II, and the Battle of Britain in which bombs fell on Liverpool daily, Brian Jacques was inspired by the bravery, even recklessness, of the air force pilots who saved the day. The theme of defending your home when attacked by evil comes from his war experiences.
Image of Brian Jacques from Wikimedia Commons.
The Redwall Series on DVD
For those who like to watch stories in animation, the Redwall stories come to life on DVD!
More books in the Redwall series
Vote for your favorites, or add any I missed.
There are already 20 books in this series! More are still being published.
Taggerung (Redwall, Book 14) by Brian Jacques
In the fourteenth Redwall adventure, by New York Times more...3 points
The Long Patrol: A Tale from Redwall by Brian Jacques
The murderous Rapscallion army is on the move. Dea more...2 points
Mossflower (Redwall, Book 2) by Brian Jacques
Martin the warrior mouse and Gonff the mousethief more...2 points
The Legend of Luke: A Tale from Redwall by Brian Jacques
Joined by Trimp the Hedgehog, Dinny Foremole, and more...2 points
Mattimeo (Redwall, Book 3) by Brian Jacques
Slagar the Fox is determined to vanquish peaceable more...1 point
Mariel of Redwall (Redwall, Book 4) by Brian Jacques
When the rat pirate Gabool the Wild attacks the mo more...1 point
Loamhedge: A Tale from Redwall by Brian Jacques
Martha, a wheelchair-bound haremaid, is sure that more...1 point
Pearls of Lutra: A Tale from Redwall by Brian Jacques
The Tears of All Oceans are missing. Six magnifice more...1 point
Martin the Warrior: A Tale from Redwall by Brian Jacques
On the shore of the Eastern Sea, in a cold stone f more...1 point
Rakkety Tam: A Tale from Redwall by Brian Jacques
There has never been a Redwall hero quite like Rak more...1 point
High Rhulain (Redwall) by Brian Jacques
The otters of Green Isle have long been enslaved t more...1 point
Lord Brocktree: A Tale from Redwall by Brian Jacques
The young haremaid Dotti and the badger-warrior Lo more...1 point
Salamandastron (Redwall, Book 5) by Brian Jacques
The inhabitants of Redwall relax in the haze of summer-but more...1 point
The Bellmaker (Redwall) by Brian Jacques
It has been four seasons since Mariel, the warrior more...1 point
Doomwyte: A Novel of Redwall (Redwall) by Brian Jacques
On a moonless night, two rats follow hypnotic lights more...0 points
The Sable Quean (Redwall) by Brian Jacques
He appears out of thin air and vanishes just as quickly. more...0 points
Triss: A Tale from Redwall by Brian Jacques
Enslaved by the evil ferret King Agarno and his da more...0 points
Marlfox: A Tale from Redwall by Brian Jacques
A villainous new presence is aprowl in Mossflower more...0 points
Eulalia! (Redwall) by Brian Jacques
The aged Badger Lord of Salamandastron sends a you more...0 points
Outcast of Redwall: A Tale from Redwall by Brian Jacques
Abandoned as an infant by his father, the evil war more...0 points
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Are you a Redwall Fan?
Have you already visited the wonderful world of Redwall, or are you thinking of checking it out after reading about it? Let me know!
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tirial
May 27, 2010 @ 9:44 am | delete
- What a wonderful review lens!
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Sylvestermouse
Jan 7, 2010 @ 9:45 pm | delete
- So Beautiful! So Perfect! So Awesome! I just had to return and leave Angel Blessings to this Most Excellent review!
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JaguarJulie
Nov 27, 2009 @ 1:44 pm | delete
- You know we were just talking about our own Matthias last night in our garage -- chewing into the good bag of cat food. Cute.
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Heather426
Nov 14, 2009 @ 4:34 pm | delete
- Love the lens, congrats on the purple star! ~blessed~
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WindyWinters
Nov 14, 2009 @ 1:23 am | delete
- Congrats on your Purple Star! :)
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The official Redwall site
- Brian Jacques
- The official site about Brian Jacques and the Redwall series.
About Me
Some of my recent pages on Squidoo
Copyright Notice
Copyright © Jennifer P. Tanabe, 2009.
This page was created on September 13, 2009 and is the property of jptanabe (Jennifer P. Tanabe) and Squidoo, LLC. Please do not copy my material!
by jptanabe
There are some things I can't do without, and a good book is one of them! I just love to read. Movies and TV are great and I enjoy them too, but they... more »
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Now you can cook a Redwall feast!
The Redwall Cookbook (Redwall Companion Books)
Amazon Price: $13.38 (as of 02/16/2012)
Recognize Redwall Enemies, and Friends of course!
Redwall Friend & Foe: The Guide to Redwall's Heroes & Villains (with Giant Poster)
Amazon Price: $2.55 (as of 02/16/2012)
