© Brian Jacques.
Recently reading and reviewing the graphic collection MOUSE GUARD, I was reminded of Brian Jacques “Redwall” series, of which I’d only read the first one. Seeing this battered paperback of the second volume in a used book store, I bought it and enjoyed reading it. My main problem with both Mouse Guard and Mossflower is that the lead characters are mice that are fierce warriors. Now, all the animals in both are anthropormorphized: they act much more like humans than animals, dressing in clothes, using tools and weapons, living in furnished homes, and, of course, speaking English. There is a long literary tradition of this, the most popular probably being Kenneth Grahame’s “The Wind In The Willows,” and certainly HIS animals did lots of things no real animal could do. I mean, a toad driving a car, for instance! Somehow, though, Grahame’s superior writing made it work fine for me, though…or maybe it was because I read it as a child, at a less critical age, I don’t know.
I like animal stories of this kind, I have many favorites, but as I’ve said before, it works better for me when the animals don’t go completely against their original animal nature. That’s why fighting mice bother me. And the collection of different species all working together, or in some cases battling each other, is also a bit of a problem because of the size differential. I mean, a mouse fighting a fox or wildcat? We’re talking monumental differences of scale there. But, you know, after reading Mossflower a while, I began to think of the characters more as people than animals, and did eventually reach the “willing suspension of disbelief” that is critical for any fantasy to work for a reader. Okay, since these are humanized animals, they can have human personalities and skills, and probably be closer in size than real ones, too. Swept up in an exciting story, I gave in and went with it.
And it is a book chock-full of exciting adventures, intrigues, and characters. Hard-fought battles between two groups of animals for control of the woods named Mossflower, clever plans and reversals for both sides, including deaths of some characters; an adventurous quest covering large areas of the world around Mossflower, even a pirate ship figure into the story. Nothing terribly deep, but a fun adventure that entertains throughout. Okay, I’m done with the animal/human thing. I’ll probably read more of these in the future. Recommended.
This takes me back; I read a whole lot of the Redwall books when I was younger. I found Mossflower to be one of the weaker books in the series (Or I think I must have, because right now I can’t recall much about it.) but as you found yourself finally fully enjoying the series while reading it then by all means keep reading! Mattimeo is an excellent book, I found it heart wrenching to read in middle school. The series seemed to become increasingly formulaic to me as I got older, but Mattimeo and my signed copy of Martin the Warrior have cherished places on my bookshelf to this day.
Mossflower is the BEST! It was fate that I found it at a Unique Thrift Store. It looked very old (the pages were a bit yellow), but being published in 1988, I was not surprised. But it was the cover that got my attention. “Long ago before Redwall Abbey was built there was no freedom for Wooldlanders…” I thought it might be cool but when I read it, it was awsome! I didn’t know it was part of a series or even heard of Redwall then. But that was before I saw a tiny fine print on the front saying Prequel of Redwall. Redwall? I said. that was when I decided to look them up and read them. I read all 23 books just in a 8 monthes. My mom says I’m insane but I say I crazy for Redwall. (Don’t get me wrong, The Castaways of the Flying Dutchman are soo awsome too, I wish there was more). Redwall Rules and it all started with that faithfull day with Mossflower!
Thanks, Katlin, I’m always glad to hear of someone who enjoys reading as much as I do.