Repost: Redwall

Given how long I have been doing this mostly humble blog, it feels wrong that I should post a great piece then we never see it again. So here is a re-post of one of my favorites:

The Redwall series by Brian Jacques: one of the most notable Fantasies in the genre not just for its length of 22 books, but also for its animal cast of characters centered around the peaceful sanctuary that is Redwall Abbey. Well, ideally peaceful were it not for its turbulent history both past and present in an Epic Fantasy world that fills the mundane with wonder.

Redwall has long held a special place it my heart not because I read it but, ironically, because I watched it – the first, third, and sixth books forming the Redwall animated series that, as subsequent research revealed, is a more than worthy adaptation. 

So worthy that, having watched it as a small child, what scattered memories I had of it stuck out and year after year returned to me until, finally, I sought out and found it again online. A touching tale, perhaps, but now that personal history it out of the way one can delve into what makes Brian Jacque's work (both in ink and on screen) so evocative. Three elements that build upon and support one another: rhyming riddles, a true warrior code of peace, and limited magic of the subtlest kind.

The Tapestry of Martin the Warrior

Tomb of Abbess Germaine

Beginning with the first – and I am going to try my level best to avoid spoilers here – are the rhyming riddles left by long dead creatures to guide their decedents and/or spiritual heirs. Martin the Warrior for example, Redwall's greatest hero, is only slight less mighty in death as he was in life as his spirit often acts as a guide to creatures of the Abbey, usually its future Warriors, Abbots, and Abbesses. Generally, he appears in dreams and will present the young creature with a riddle or puzzle of some sort that they must solve in order to survive or save a friend. The quote I will note, however, is from Abbess Germaine, one of Redwall's founders and formerly the last Abbess of Loamhedge Abbey. As aforesaid, I am trying to avoid spoilers, so suffice to say that the ancient mouse left this to held future generations find the exact location of Loamhedge Abbey should they need it (which they did):

"Those who wish to challenge fate,
to a jumbled shout walk strait.
Sunset fires in dexteree,
Find where Loamhedge used to be.
At the high place near the skies,
Look for other watchful eyes.
Sleep not ‘neath the darkpine trees,
Be on your guard, take not your ease.
Voyage when the daylight dims,
Danger in the water swims.
Make no sound with spear or sword,
Lest you wake the Longtail Horde
Shades of creatures who have died,
Bones of warriors who have tried.
Shrink not from the barren land,
Look below from where you stand.
This is where a stone may fall and make no sound at all.
Those who cross and live to tell,
See the badger and the bell.
Face the lord who points the way,
After noon on summers day,
Death will open up its grave.

Who goes there . . . ? None but the brave."

This may sound convoluted but, believe me that it outlines the dangers of a certain rescue mission fairly well. Read (or watch) Mattimeo to learn more.

Moving right along, here one of the best quotes I have heard in a long time. Simple yet deep and wise on multiple levels, epitomizing the morally of the High Fantasy as well as Redwall's true warrior code of peace:
"Always use the sword to stand for good and right, never do a thing you would be ashamed of, but never let your heart rule your mind." - Brian Jacques

Finally, the use of magic in the series at large is quite limited. Recall how in The Lord of the Rings one does not see Gandalf casting a lot of spells or throwing fireballs; rather, when danger comes Gandalf draws Glamdring (his sword). Yet there is still a steady presence of magic in Middle-earth, subtle yet bright, clear, and elegant. Much the same in true in the Redwall series, mostly in the form of Martin's spirit, though there are other examples such as the crow Mangiz being a successful seer. Granted that this magic is technically even more limited than that which Tolkien employs, yet its presence, elegance, and potent role in the story is no less.

Quote of the month

"When does a hero's journey begin? 

The moment you step outside the safety of your home? 

Or when you realize the fight has just begun? 

Is is when you comprehend how small you are compared to the vastness that threatens to destroy you? 

When did you learn that the journey isn't a lonely road,

and you didn't have to face the darkness alone? 

Lesser souls lose heart and lay down their swords.

But a champion risks everything for the greater good. 

Take comfort in this: True heroes never die."

- Erebos

Tell me again why Darth Vader wore the mask and not the Emperor

Tell me again why Darth Vader wore the mask and not the Emperor (Darth Sidious). I understand the need for a breathing apparatus, but, in the end, Palpatine's face was just as, if not more, ugly. Yes, I know it was the only way to keep Vader alive – but Sidious could have given the Medusa a run for her money.

I have started Dreams Lie Beneath by Rebecca Ross

I have started Dreams Lie Beneath by Rebecca Ross.

Fell dreams can be scary enough, but when the ancient curse of a betrayed Duke brings them to life once a month...that is what one calls a true nightmare. Add magicians tasked with defending the realm of Azenor fighting over territory, at least one of whom has good looks and bad enough manners to challenge Clementine's father, and Clem's life is about become something truly undreamt of. Still, adversity tis the parent of progress and every curse can be broken. If revenge can be set aside, secrets overcome, and more artistic forms of magic used, of course, plus maybe a rather revealing mirror in a creepy mansion. All I know is that any Fantasy reader knows the power of dreams in the genre, so a book built upon them...

I have finished Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire by Don Martin

I have finished Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire by Don Martin.

"Everything wants," as is said, for that is the stuff of how contracts are made. Yet deals run two ways and Verity Vox, witch-in-training, found more than she bargained for in the Appalachian town of Foxfire next to a mountain that was old when the moon was young and holds a power within desired by the fell magician Earl who plays by no rulebook humanity wrote. But never had he faced an adversary such as Verity, whose courage and wit, songs and lore, awoke the mountain and freed the town once more.

An utter delight and delightfully whimsical book, Verity and the rules of witchcraft stole my heart within the first pages and never let go. A tale of community that overcomes years of hardship against a terrible inhuman force and finding love amidst such desolation. Is there a better ending than riding and flying off into the sunset? A bit of a cliché, but perfect in my mind. Not that it be a true ending, as I learned that this is Book 1 of the The Verity Vox Series, so no goodbyes this time. Verity Vox, Jack-Be-Nimble, Tacita Tarry, Gilly & Earnest, Mae and Del Miller, I will be seeing you all again in less than a year.

3rd grade alchemists

I wrote this on my personal facebook four years ago today and, looking at it, cannot think why I did not post it here. So I shall now correct that error:

"Never thought I would say this, but I think a few of the 3rd grader may be reading too much Fantasy. Yes, I actually just said that and only partly in jest 🤫 See, a girl had a nosebleed today and naturally a drop of blood hit the blacktop, so what do the other girls do when their friend is taken in to get cleaned up? They instantly used chalk to draw alchemical symbols around the drop of blood as if it were a blood magic altar!"

Seriously, who starts these rumors?

So a student comes up to me today and asks, "Mr. Adler, is it true you've read every book in the world?"

I burst out laughing, then answer, "Oh gosh no! A person could read every moment from the day they were born to the day they die even if they lived to over a hundred, and still not have read the barest fraction."

Student: "Really? They're that many?"

The scary part is that in no point during this conversation was the kid anything less than completely earnest, and was legitimately surprised when I replied "an incomprehensible amount, and that does not even include books that have been lost" after which I told them of the tragically lost Library of Alexandria.

Then, later, a different pair of students asked me if I had read every book in the library, or just most of them. Naturally I told them neither, though I could claim a decent amount of the Fantasy section.

 

For the record, I never did or said anything that could have planted the seeds for these (or past somewhat more fantastical) rumors. I tell riddles and like any good librarian make book recommendations.