Redwall
by Brian Jacques
The (a) story follows a group of forest animals living peacefully within the walls of their beloved Redwall Abbey. Peacefully, that is, until an infamous rat known as Cluny the Scourge shows up at their doorstep, intent on conquering the abbey and all who live there.
Now it is up to a small group of monks and a handful of their friends to defend their home from Cluny’s terrible reign. Among them is a young mouse named Matthias, whose destiny is intertwined with that of the legendary Martin the Warrior. But is one little mouse enough to smite the evils wrought by Cluny and his army? And what of the deeper, darker dangers that lurk in the woods beyond the abbey’s walls?
The (A) story is about heroism and inner strength. This is most obviously demonstrated through the character of Matthias and the legend of Martin the Warrior. Both are mice, and undoubtedly some of the smallest and meekest among the creatures that inhabit Redwall. Matthias, in fact, is clumsy and awkward at the start of the book. At first glance, it is hard to imagine him as a fierce warrior. But the legend of Martin inspires and uplifts him, and as trouble brews within Redwall Abbey, he rises to the occasion and gradually becomes a leader, a warrior, and, finally, a hero.
But the story of Redwall is also a story about community. As Cluny lays siege on the abbey, the small group of pacifist animals comes together to put a stop to his villainy. Each animal utilizes their own unique talents—be they climbing, digging, or brute force—to protect their home and the ones they love. No species of animal, no gender, and no age group is discriminated against when it comes to who can help defend Redwall. Their actions demonstrate the wisdom of working together and never taking anyone’s ability to contribute for granted.
So… the first time I read this, I hated it. I couldn’t even remember why I hated it, or any solid details of the story whatsoever. I just know that I cringed at the thought of having to read it again. And after having visited it a second time, I still don’t understand why I hated it.
At first, the writing really bugged me. I felt there was a lot of telling versus showing and that the main characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting. I spent much of the first few chapters rolling my eyes in exasperation. But then I realized I was making the same mistake I had been making with other recent reads: I was judging a book meant for younger audiences as if it was written for an adult.
Once I made this realization, the reading went a lot smoother. And I started to remember the things that had stuck with me from the first reading. Like the adorableness that is Silent Sam. Or the chittering speech of Warbeak and the other Sparra warriors. Or the haunting presence of “Asmodeussssss…” In the end, it didn’t fully redeem itself in my eyes, but I no longer hate it. It’s a fun little adventure story, much like an extended fable, and I am confident that kids, or adults who loved it when they were kids, will always have a special place in their heart for it. If you don’t mind writing that leans heavily on the younger side, then I would say go ahead and give it a read.
