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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
I read this book when I was a kid. All I remember is that it made me really want soup. 10/10
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
my favorite book in the whole world
I think this book was slightly disappointing only because the movie is so exceptional. Which makes the book very hard to rate. Somewhere between 3 & 4 stars.
Cute story! DiCamillo teaches you that everything happens for a reason, about true love, heroism, and some new vocabulary along the way!
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was not expecting this story. I knew the name but I didn't know why, and I had read another of DiCamillo's books so I gave her a go. This is the story of a very little mouse called Desperaux, as well as a rat born into darkness and a girl with a simple, impossible wish. These three along with a castle of characters is the start of a heartfelt but sometimes saddening tale.
The beginning sets you up in a very odd way around Desperaux and his family, and introduces us to the mouse world in an old castle. But then just as you get settled DiCamillo changes our focus elsewhere and we see the start of another story. This continues through the story and it is really clever. It shows the different lives of everyone involved and how one small action can cause such a big reaction.
There are simple realities and small brutalities but nothing over the top, unless you think too much about it. But DiCamillo doesn't make you pity any one too much. She offers small things that balance out the bad and takes a characters own pity away so you lessen your own, and what these characters offer, especially those in the wrong, provide small glimmers of forgiveness.
This is a great read, it shows how understanding can be a powerful force but also how desperation can create terrible consequences.
A version of this review was also published on my blog http://lostinagoodbk.wordpress.com/2013/01/24/the-tale-of-despereaux-by-katie-dicamillo/
The beginning sets you up in a very odd way around Desperaux and his family, and introduces us to the mouse world in an old castle. But then just as you get settled DiCamillo changes our focus elsewhere and we see the start of another story. This continues through the story and it is really clever. It shows the different lives of everyone involved and how one small action can cause such a big reaction.
There are simple realities and small brutalities but nothing over the top, unless you think too much about it. But DiCamillo doesn't make you pity any one too much. She offers small things that balance out the bad and takes a characters own pity away so you lessen your own, and what these characters offer, especially those in the wrong, provide small glimmers of forgiveness.
This is a great read, it shows how understanding can be a powerful force but also how desperation can create terrible consequences.
A version of this review was also published on my blog http://lostinagoodbk.wordpress.com/2013/01/24/the-tale-of-despereaux-by-katie-dicamillo/
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
"Stories are light. Light is precious in a world so dark. Begin at the beginning. Tell Gregory a story. Make some light."
This story and I have a long history. I fell madly in love with the film years ago, played the video game based on it, I was enchanted with the concept of a valiant little mouse who brought light back to a kingdom that desperately needed it. But somehow, I never read the book it was based on. Time went on, I look back on the film fondly but haven't watched it in years. Finally I decided, it was time. I was going to read "The Tale of Despereaux".
Let's start out by saying that this story is dark. Literally and metaphorically. Kate DiCamillo warns at the beginning that this story is not made of sweetness and light. A lot of the story is desperately sad, full of anger and revenge and adults failing children. There's violence and abuse and perfidy (which I did, in fact, have to look up) ((it means deceit))
But at the same time, the story is endlessly hopeful. Despereaux himself is a character you can't help but love, one who's just doing his best to be as noble as he can, charming at every turn. And did I want to cry every time another echo or parallel appeared between his story and that of Roscuro, Miggory Sow, and Princess Pea? ... why yes, yes I did.
So yes, I adored this book. It's scary and beautiful and captivating, all about forgiveness and trying your best. I'm almost glad it took me so long to read it, so I could read it just when I needed it. Five stars, easily. I loved it so much.
((also the theme song of this book is "enchanted" by taylor swift. no i will not elaborate.))
"Once upon a time," he said out loud to the darkness. He said these words because they were the best, the most powerful words that he knew and just the saying of them comforted him.
This story and I have a long history. I fell madly in love with the film years ago, played the video game based on it, I was enchanted with the concept of a valiant little mouse who brought light back to a kingdom that desperately needed it. But somehow, I never read the book it was based on. Time went on, I look back on the film fondly but haven't watched it in years. Finally I decided, it was time. I was going to read "The Tale of Despereaux".
Let's start out by saying that this story is dark. Literally and metaphorically. Kate DiCamillo warns at the beginning that this story is not made of sweetness and light. A lot of the story is desperately sad, full of anger and revenge and adults failing children. There's violence and abuse and perfidy (which I did, in fact, have to look up) ((it means deceit))
But at the same time, the story is endlessly hopeful. Despereaux himself is a character you can't help but love, one who's just doing his best to be as noble as he can, charming at every turn. And did I want to cry every time another echo or parallel appeared between his story and that of Roscuro, Miggory Sow, and Princess Pea? ... why yes, yes I did.
So yes, I adored this book. It's scary and beautiful and captivating, all about forgiveness and trying your best. I'm almost glad it took me so long to read it, so I could read it just when I needed it. Five stars, easily. I loved it so much.
((also the theme song of this book is "enchanted" by taylor swift. no i will not elaborate.))
"Once upon a time," he said out loud to the darkness. He said these words because they were the best, the most powerful words that he knew and just the saying of them comforted him.
This is about her book that I recommend for young readers or those with young listeners.
I read this well over a decade ago and think back on it from time to time with fondness, especially for a small mouse with a love for books.
I read this well over a decade ago and think back on it from time to time with fondness, especially for a small mouse with a love for books.