This book, and the subsequent others that followed became a stable in our house as my children grew up, or rather as my son grew up; he couldn’t get enough of them. So I was greatly surprised when I came across them in a box the other day, and decided to start my journey through them again at Redwall Abbey.

This is definitely a children’s book and as such it has a simplified cast of characters that younger readers can easily connect to and travel with on their adventures. Through the characters in these books young readers can learn a lot about life and the differences between us, without being overwhelmed and feel as if they are being educated while they read. There are villains which will make you boo and hiss; good guys that will have the reader cheering them on and wishing them well , but all of them are animals and I mean this in the literal sense. For those who have not read any of these books their main characters, and the remainder of the cast of hundreds are mice, foxes, rats (boo hiss) and badgers.

The book is excellently written, its descriptive wording makes the reader savour the sentence, the act or the food. I loved the way in which the food was described, in fact in some places it actually made my stomach growl. Another thing that would keep young readers engrossed is the way in which the Author is able to change settings and points of view without coming over as confused. Through this constant change the reader is able to experience both sides of the conflict laid out in books pages, and gain knowledge of the strategies used in both camps.

This is an excellent read for both the intended age group and any adult who is looking for something simple and interesting to read to while away a few hours.


Originally reviewed on: http://catesbooknuthut.com/2014/12/05/review-redwall-redwall-1-brian-jacques/





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I remember all the Redwall series being very popular so I decided I'd give in and read them for myself. First off, these books are really boring. They're very slow moving and leave a lot of questions in the end. Plus, it's an unoriginal idea - talking mice, living human-like lives, saving all the woodland creatures from the (non-present) humans. [b:Watership Down|76620|Watership Down (Watership Down #1)|Richard Adams|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1405136931s/76620.jpg|1357456], anyone? ( )

Literally one of the best books I have ever read, an all-time favorite. Jacques is a wizard with words. I love all riddles and puzzles, the action is just right, and along with the superb story of how Mattias and the inhabitants of Redwall Abbey foil the attacks of Cluny the Scourge as he tries to take over Mossflower wood. And just the description of the food alone makes my stomach rumble. I would recommend this book as a must read. ( )

Tried to get interested in it, but it seemed too juvenile. Not at all like "Watership Down" or "Duncton Wood."

Considering it is written for children, I think it is an okay book.
However, it reads as if the plot was determined before much of the characters were finished.
I had read "Mouse Guard" by David Petersen recently and was intrigued by his take on mice fending of evil and protecting their kind. Coming from Petersen's lively mouse world, Redwall just falls flat. The world makes no sense whatsoever. I think this would have been a better book, if it was written using humans instead of animals. Then there would have been the need to at least give some kind of reason for the whole conflict apart from [insert species] being evil.
The story is not very interesting, and I only finished, because I dislike letting books stay unfinished.

After a while I also started to resent the protagonist for being such a prick to every new character he met. You should not be able to make friends by collaring them and having the kindness of not outright murdering them...
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