The Death-Defying Pepper Roux

Pepper Roux is supposed to die on his 14th birthday...at least, that is what his twisted, uber-religious Aunty has been telling him since birth. When his birthday comes and goes, Pepper succumbs to the idea that he is supposed to be dead, and his family is disappointed that he is not, so he sets off to run from death. He ends up traveling all over France, trying to figure out what to do about his curse and if he can get out of it. Along the way he meets all kinds of bizarre and interesting characters, some who want to help, some who don't, but all end up under Pepper's spell in one way or another. This is an incredibly imaginative story, with Pepper not only on the run from real dangers, but his imagined ones brought on by years of show more mental abuse at the hands of his family. The characters are especially rich, like Duchesse, the ships steward and Exe and Why, the telegram dispatchers in Aigues Mortes. The story was great, if somewhat darker than I expected, with really beautiful writing it was just a pleasure to read. show less

When he was born, Pepper's aunt predicted he wouldn't live past 14. On the morning of his fourteenth birthday, he walks out of the house, and just keeps on walking, then running away from it all. Assuming one identity after another, he tries on the various roles of adulthood, getting more deeply in trouble with every turn, and more convinced the angels are after him. But he still hasn't died -- does he have a guardian angel after all? Or maybe he has finally outrun his fate....

There is nothing saccharine in this nevertheless very sweet tale of a sheltered boy finding his way in the big, wide world. Pepper is a scrappy survivor in a confusing world where things are never quite as they seem, to him at least. It is a world populated with show more other survivors: the poor, the outcast, the lower class, and the misfits. A fast-paced, quirky read with an unconventional story line. show less

Like all of us, Paul Roux is born to die, however, unlike most people, Paul Roux knows when he will die - on his fourteenth birthday. Upon his birth, Paul's Aunt Mireille receives a message from Saint Constance. Pepper will die at fourteen. So, while other children are attending school, making friends, and preparing for adulthood, the young Paul is attending Mass, making daily penance and preparing for Last Rites. His resigned mother, Madame Roux, so often refers to him as "mon pauvre" my poor thing, that local children mistake his name for "poivre," or Pepper. All of this is accepted, of course. Saint Constance decreed it to be so. Aunt Mireille reminds them so. It must be so.

But on his fourteenth birthday, Pepper suddenly realizes show more that he doesn't feel like going to his eternal rest. The saints will be looking for him. But suppose they can't find Pepper Roux?

After all, "People see what they expect to see. Don't they?"

Captain Roux? Yes, I am Captain Roux.
Here is a placard. Yes, I am a protestor.
Do you work here? Yes, I am the meat slicer.
You've worked for a newspaper? Yes, I am Pepper Papier.
You are a delivery boy? Yes, I am Konstantin Kruppe.
Good day, dear. I am home.

And so, the doomed Pepper steps from one life into another, and another, and another. And though Saint Constance is seeking to harvest him, Pepper's quick-thinking and earnestness keep him one step ahead of his judgement day.

The Death-Defying Pepper Roux is an exciting tale of adventure; some of the lives into which Pepper deposits himself are less than savory ones! But Pepper is never dispirited, never bitter; and his various predicaments are often humorously improbable - he is by turns a grizzled sea captain, a grocer's boy, a reporter, a fugitive on the run, a hard-drinking husband, a soldier in the French Foreign Legion - all before his 15th birthday!

The Death-Defying Pepper Roux is also, improbably, a deep philosophical novel about faith, family, honesty, destiny and friendship. Pepper's unlikely friend Duchesse, is a funny and colorful addition to the story - a strong and seaworthy steward, taken to dispensing valuable advice and wearing women's clothing.

A rousing and rollicking read that should be popular with kids and teens. A book that begs to be read twice. Move over Despereaux, here comes another French hero who will win reader's hearts! show less

Charming, quirky tale of a boy named Pepper. Told that he will die on his 14th birthday by his horrid aunt, Pepper leaves town and goes on a French adventure. He becomes a ship's captain, a journalist, a caretaker of horses and many other things.

McCaughrean's tale is fun but sometimes becomes too self-absorped in its own oddities. I really wish she had written a story focused on Duchesse, the cross-dressing steward from the ship. Definitely one of the most fascinating and unique characters I've come across in children's fiction.

Imagine your aunt had prophesied that you would die at the age of fourteen, and worse still that everyone believed her. That's what happened to Pepper Roux, which led to him having a very strange childhood - growing up with his religious nut of an Aunt, his absentee drunken sailor of a Dad, and a mother, who knowing he'd be dead soon, didn't bother much with him. So, when Pepper reaches fourteen, he resolves that if he is to die it will not be a wasted death, so he runs away to sea. This is the first adventure of many amongst the low-lifes of Marseilles and the Camargue for the youngster on the run. For death seems to follow him around, and each time he believes it should have been him. A helpful lad, he tries to do good turns along the show more way, but they often backfire on him, and the gendarmes are on his trail.

McCaughrean has conjured up a wonderful setting with a cast of sailors, horse-theieves, and gangsters who all try to take advantage of young Pepper, who nevertheless is growing up fast and living life to the full - each day still believing that it could be his last. He learns along the way about truth, lies and their consequences which, although written for young adults, makes this book a really satisfying adult read. Pepper's adventures make for a quick and witty page-turning read, but you will think about the story for ages afterwards.

(Book supplied by the Amazon Vine programme). show less

So strange I'm not even sure how to rate. But I did really like an awful lot of it, especially the fact that it is so original, so trope-defying. Another reviewer compares it to Candide, I saw a bit of The Gingerbread Man. Parts are awfully dark and/or mature for the 11 year old children who will read up to this, and some of the satire will go over their heads. But on the surface it's a fun romp, so maybe they'll read it when 11 and again at 14? I think it would be worth their time.

What would you do if you were told you would die on your fourteenth birthday? If you're Pepper Roux, you would try to escape death by taking on someone else's life, and in so doing, learn how to live, rather than how to die.

Pepper's entire life has been spent preparing for his death, as foretold by his Aunt Mireille, but it looks like he might find a way to sidestep fate. He will simply slip into another life. Where ever he goes, Pepper tries his hardest to spread happiness and joy. But it seems the Saints and Angels find him with each new identity - from ships captain, to newspaper reporter, to the French Foreign Legion - and the shadow of death seems to be right behind him. Or is it something, or someone, else that is following our show more innocent and naive Pepper?

This is a very unusually odd and quirky read, but the reader will find themselves drawn into the story if, for no other reason then to discover - will Pepper Roux live beyond the age of 14?

As wonderfully captivating as the book is, the audio version is even more so. The characters and action come alive through Anton Lesser's brilliant vocals. Lesser does an amazing job of capturing every character in voice - Pepper's eager innocence and the Duchess's slow, contemplative drawl all way down to the American thugs! Absolutely outstanding! show less