Redwall (1986)
Redwall is a 1986 children's fiction book written by Brian Jacques.
Life at Redwall Abbey runs on bread, cider, and long summer feasts, until the one-eyed rat Cluny the Scourge and his horde roll a war-wagon up to the gates. Brian Jacques fills his world entirely with animals: peaceable mice, moles, and hares defending their home against rats, weasels, and stoats. At the center is Matthias, a clumsy young mouse who becomes convinced that the lost sword of the legendary Martin the Warrior is the key to saving the abbey. It is a rousing quest tale, cozy and bloody by turns, written to be read aloud.
Quick answers
What is Redwall about?
Life at Redwall Abbey runs on bread, cider, and long summer feasts, until the one-eyed rat Cluny the Scourge and his horde roll a war-wagon up to the gates. Brian Jacques fills his world entirely with animals: peaceable mice, moles, and hares defending their home against rats, weasels, and stoats. At the center is Matthias, a clumsy young mouse who becomes convinced that the lost sword of the legendary Martin the Warrior is the key to saving the abbey. It is a rousing quest tale, cozy and bloody by turns, written to be read aloud.
When was Redwall published?
Redwall was published in 1986.
Who made Redwall?
Redwall was written by Brian Jacques.
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A few thoughts on Redwall
The animated series Redwall adapts this book and its sequels almost beat for beat, a natural watch after reading. For the same small-hero, big-quest spirit in film, The Tale of Despereaux follows a brave little mouse with an outsized sense of honor. Both keep the woodland warmth and the real stakes.
Talking-animal heroes defending their home against invaders
Redwall fills its abbey with peaceable mice, moles and hares standing off rats and weasels at the gate. These share that world of woodland creatures with swords and courage, small animals banding together to protect a home from a hungry, cruel horde.
Knightly quests for a legendary sword
Matthias in Redwall becomes convinced the lost blade of Martin the Warrior can save the abbey, and the hunt for it drives the book. These follow the same medieval pull, young would-be knights chasing swords, dragons and old legends toward a fight they were not born ready for.
Young-hero fantasy quests full of myth and adventure
Redwall hands a clumsy young mouse a quest far larger than himself, cozy and bloody by turns. These carry that same spirit for anyone who likes a green newcomer, an old prophecy and a journey into folklore, myth and enchanted woods.