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Redwall

Book 1 in the series:Redwall

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Redwall by Brian Jacques is a classic children's fantasy novel that follows the adventures of Matthias, a young mouse living in Redwall Abbey. When the peaceful life of the abbey is threatened by the evil rat Cluny the Scourge, Matthias must rise up to become a hero and lead the fight against the forces of darkness. The story is a coming-of-age tale filled with themes of courage, friendship, and good triumphing over evil, set in a richly detailed world inhabited by anthropomorphic woodland creatures.

The plot unfolds with Matthias discovering his true destiny as a warrior and embarking on a quest to save Redwall Abbey from Cluny's tyranny. The writing style is engaging, with vivid descriptions of characters and settings, creating an immersive fantasy world where readers of all ages can get lost in the epic battle between good and evil.

Characters:

Characters are diverse, with a mix of heroes and villains, each possessing unique traits and a backstory.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by vivid descriptions and rich detail, particularly regarding food, making it engaging for both children and adults.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around woodland creatures defending their home from evil forces, highlighting themes of heroism and community.

Setting:

The setting features a medieval-like abbey populated by anthropomorphic woodland creatures, creating a rich, fantastical world.

Pacing:

The pacing is a mix of action and slower moments, creating an engaging reading experience.
MATTHIAS CUT A comical little figure as he wobbled his way along the cloisters, with his large sandals flip-flopping and his tail peeping from beneath the baggy folds of an over-sized novice’s habit. ...

Notes:

Redwall is a fantasy series written by Brian Jacques, beginning with the first book titled 'Redwall'.
The story revolves around the inhabitants of Redwall Abbey, mainly mice and other woodland creatures, who defend their home against evil forces led by the rat Cluny the Scourge.
The series explores themes of good versus evil, courage, and the importance of community.
Jacques originally wrote the stories for visually impaired children, which is why the descriptions are so rich and vivid.
There are over 20 books in the series, and they can be read in any order as most are standalone stories.
The stories are filled with humor, adventure, and great character development, with charming protagonists like Matthias, Constance the Badger, and Brother Methuselah.
Each book features elaborate descriptions of feasts and foods, often making readers feel hungry while reading.
The characters have distinct dialects, adding depth and personality to the storytelling.
Despite being aimed at children, the series often touches on darker themes and violence, making it suitable for older kids and adults as well.
The audiobooks feature narrations by Brian Jacques himself and sometimes include a full cast, enhancing the storytelling experience.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

There are some scenes of violence and battle which may be intense for sensitive readers.

From The Publisher:

When Redwall was published in 1987 it catipulted author Brian Jacques to international stardom. And small wonder! This enthralling tale is jam-packed with the things we long for in a great adventure: danger, laughter, hairbreath excapes, tragedy, mystery, a touch of wonder, a truly despicable villain, and a hero we can take to heart.

That hero is Matthias, a young mouse who must rise above his fears and failures to save his friends at Redwall Abbey. The villain is Cluny the Scourage, one of the most deliciously despicable rats of all time. The unforgettable cast of supporting characters includes the stalwart badger Constance, an irrepressible hare named Basil Stag Hare, and the elderly wisemouse Brother Methuselah.

But most of all there is Matthias, seeking his true destiny in a journey that will lead through danger and despair to true wisdom.

Ratings (108)

Incredible (15)
Loved It (49)
Liked It (28)
It Was OK (9)
Did Not Like (7)

Reader Stats (251):

Read It (114)
Currently Reading (2)
Want To Read (62)
Did Not Finish (3)
Not Interested (70)

3 comment(s)

Loved It
2 weeks

The exciting story of Redwall abbey and their efforts to stop and attack by Cluny and his henchmen.a secondary story focuses on the monk Matthias, the mouse warrior Martin and his journey to awaken the warrior within.

 
Incredible
3 months

5 stars

RTC

Happy Reading!!

 
Incredible
6 months

A favorite from my younger years. The lore is deep and detailed without ever bogging the story down. The world is beautifully crafted without expounding endlessly on things that aren’t critical to the story. The battles were intense and way more gorey than I remembered.

One of the main complaints about this series is that the 23 entries can be a little repetitive as Jacques chronicles Redwall Abbey’s many brushes with doom and peril. As a stand-alone novel Redwall is a classic. We’ll see if this criticism holds up as I make my way back through the rest of the series.

 

About the Author:

Brian Jacques was born in Liverpool in 1939. He left school at age 15 and found work as a docker, a truck driver, a policeman, and a stand-up comic, all before turning his attention to writing. He wrote his first…

 
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