Avi. The Book without Words: A Medieval Fable. Even if I were ten, I don't believe this book would hold my attention for long. Which is a shame, because it has a lovely cover. :)
The book opens in 1046 in a small town in northern England. Thorston is an old man who has been practicing alchemy, but the false gold he creates is for purposes other than mere wealth. This is a story of greed, the greed for the "gold" and Thorston's greed for eternal life. His servant girl Sybil is thirteen and necessary to his plan. In a little twist on the mythic Sybil, this poor orphan yearns desperately to live, not just to exist in her hand-to-mouth situation.
Other characters include Odo, the talking raven; the monk Wilfred; Bashcroft, the local reeve; Alfric and Damian, two young boys. All of the characters seemed quite flat to me, and the story seemed to plod along. Despite so many elements that could have been charming, it was-- for me-- an empty experience that seemed too pedantic.
Fiction. Fable/fantasy. 2005. 200 pages.
Sorry to hear that. It does have a great cover. The only Avi I've read is the short story book, Strange Happenings, which I read for the R.I.P. Challenge. I enjoyed it...short, creepy tales.
ReplyDeleteHopefully the other entries in your Once Upon a Time list will be more rewarding.
Carl - I've just started one that I've already fallen in love --The Spirit Gate by Kate Elliot. I've not read her before, and she has several series that I can't wait to try...
ReplyDeleteBummer, it does sound like it would have been such a cute story too! Well, at least you already have one book down on your challenge :)
ReplyDeleteempty, flat, pedantic - maybe I'll find a different book to substitute for this one. Sorry you had to waste your time on it.
ReplyDeleteiliana - Yep, one down! And I'm sure other people might like this one.
ReplyDeletebooklogged - I was sorry I didn't enjoy it, but it wasn't very long. :)
Aww, such a shame. The cover does look very inviting. I'll be reading my first Avi book for the challenge - the one Carl read for the RIP challenge.
ReplyDeleteGlad to read that your second book is working out better for you!
Quixotic - just goes to prove the old adage, "You can't...." :)
ReplyDeleteSpirit Gate, however, is a winner!
Too bad, it sounds like it has all the elements for a great story, which I think makes it all the more disappointing when it isn't.
ReplyDeleteHmm. I actually had this book in my hands at the library yesterday, but resisted the urge knowing I had too many too finish first. It's been gnawing at me until now...glad I resisted!
ReplyDeleteLesley - It does have some interesting elements, but oh, well...
ReplyDeleteDebi - This is just my opinion; the same things don't appeal to all of us. I WANTED to like it!