Marlfox: A Tale from Redwall
by Brian Jacques
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Book Summary Information
Author: Brian JacquesBrand: Penguin Group USA
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-01-13
ISBN: 0142501085
Number of pages: 400
Publisher: Firebird
Book Reviews of Marlfox: A Tale from Redwall
Book Review: "The Marlfox Cannot Be Bested..."
Summary: 4 Stars
This was the first of Brian Jacques's "Redwall" books that I have ever read, despite being the eleventh in the series. Luckily for me, each book is a stand-alone read, and though I'm sure that reading in order would have given me from context as to the history and cultures of this world populated by anthropomorphized animals, it was easy enough to follow without familiarity of the previous novels.
The inhabitants of Redwall Abbey are enjoying a glorious summer, soon joined by a family of squirrels, a wandering troupe of performers, and a band of warrior shrews, all of whom bring disturbing news to the Abbey. Throughout the countryside there have been sightings of the mysterious Marlfoxes: creatures who prowl the woods in search of treasure to take back to their island home and who seem to have the ability to disappear at will. Working on the orders of the vain and neurotic Queen Silth, the Marlfoxes have set their sights on the riches of Redwall.
The story is roughly divided into two parts; that of three youngsters who set out to retrieve the famous tapestry of Martin the Warrior that has been plundered from the Abbey, and the adults who are left to defend the Abbey from within its walls. The narrative switches back and forth between the quest and the siege, with some extra intrigue in the court of the Marlfoxes, where Queen Silth is being haunted by a strange white ghost. On the way, the young adventurers meet up with a range of characters that help or hinder them in a journey that provides a nice contrast to the more claustrophobic happenings back in the Abbey.
Jacques strikes up a good balance of action, suspense and restfulness in a way that is quite reminiscent of The Prydain Chronicles or The Hobbit. The picturesque countryside is vividly rendered, the animal characters are a blend of Sylvanian Families and C.S. Lewis's plethora of Talking Beasts, and there is an emphasis on food and drink that calls to mind the stories of Enid Blyton. Altogether, it is a very English book, particularly in Jacques use of regional dialects in character dialogue (sample: "Just where you'd expect the rouges t'be, Sister, top o' the bloomin' wall at the northeast corner, wetter'n water-weed an' yellin' to be saved from a drownin.'")
The characters are likeable and lively, particularly the capable trio that go in search of the Marlfox's island and a theatrical hare that provides most of the comic relief with his tall tales and melodramatics - though there is a bratty mouse-child that causes nothing but trouble and probably would have been better off in the hands of the Marlfoxes that he so idiotically lets himself get kidnapped by. Dotted throughout the text are various poems and ditties which neither add nor detract to the story; much like Tolkien, you can tell they're only there because Jacques enjoys writing them. If you're not interested you can easily skip them.
It is hard for me to rate "Marlfox" within the context of the rest of the Redwall series as it is currently my first and only read of a book in the series. Though it is categorized as a children's book, I found some parts quite dark, with plenty of violence and character deaths, though nothing so disturbing that it'll cause nightmares! Those used to the series will no doubt find this a familiar trait, though newcomers might be a bit taken aback. Altogether "Marlfox" is a well-told and steadily-paced tale that will probably appeal more to fans of the series, but still provides enough interest and fun for those who are new to the "Redwall" books.
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