Redwall ANNOTATION
When the peaceful life of ancient Redwall Abbey is shattered by the arrival of the evil rat Cluny and his villainous hordes, Matthias, a young mouse, determines to find the legendary sword of Martin the Warrior which, he is convinced, will help Redwall's inhabitants destroy the enemy.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
When Redwall was published in 1987 it catipulted author Brian Jacques to international stardom. Ans 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.
FROM THE CRITICS
Selma Lanes
His book is artfully structured to rivet the attention of young readers and listeners. Mr. Jacques has woven an energetic, if somewhat simple-minded, fantasy on a refreshingly old-fashioned subject: the struggle between good and evil. ''Redwall'' is both a credible and an ingratiating place, one to which many young readers will doubtless cheerfully return. -- New York Times
Publishers Weekly
Only the lost sword of Martin the Warrior can save Redwall Abbey from the evil rat Cluny and his greedy horde. The young mouse Matthias (formerly Redwall's most awkward novice) vows to recover the legendary weapon. In the course of his quest, Matthias forges strong ties with various local animals. As much as the magic of the sword, it is the help of these new friends that enables Matthias to defeat Cluny once and for all. Jacques's clever use of detail creates an animal world as compelling as that of The Wind in the Willows. From the beginning, each of Redwall's characters is endowed with a unerringly distinct personality: there is a powerful badger named Constance; a mute squirrel named Silent Sam, who knows the forest better than anyone; and his mother Jess, a champion climber who leads a splendid rescue of a piece of the abbey's tapestry. This epic adventure contains elements of all grand quests, with heroic archetypes that will keep fans of Tolkein and King Arthur tales engaged to the final battle. Illustrations not seen by PW. All ages. (June)
School Library Journal
Gr 7 Up-This full scale, unabridged performance is a fine salute to the tenth anniversary of the publication of Redwall (Philomel, 1986). Author Brian Jacques narrates as an outstanding British cast brings the saga to life. Charming musical accents further enhance the reading. Each character's voice is distinct, and the reading is well-paced. Young mouse Matthias' adventures as he tries to save Redwall Abbey from the evil rat Cluny will enthrall listeners. The Redwall fantasy adventure series has a rabid, international following, and this production will serve to swell the ranks of fans.C.A. Prevetti, Milwaukee Public Library, WI
AudioFile - Sharon Grover
Redwall Abbey, the medieval home of a peaceful order of mice, is challenged by the evil blackguard, Cluny the Scourge, and his horde of nefarious rats, stoats and weasels. The resourceful mice, their many brave woodland companions and the foul band are magically brought to life by the masterfully voiced Keith. This consummate aural production pulsates with the struggle between good and evil. Each of the multitude of characters is clearly depicted. Keith is to be hailed for his work. S.G. cAudioFile, Portland, Maine
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