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Brian Jacques
Well, this isn't so much an author I was unaware of before, but one that I suddenly remembered was actually from Lancashire (Liverpool), although I went to Edinburgh to meet him. I've been reading his books since I was about 10, so that's seven years now, and he's one of the few authors whose books I'll buy new as soon as they come out.My favourite of his is Rakkety Tam from the Redwall series. Redwall Abbey, a place where peace-loving creatures of all species can gather and enjoy living together, is under threat from a monster the like of which they have never before seen. The evil pine martin Gulo the Savage and his band of flesh-eating vermin has come south to find the legendary treasure: the Walking Stone. Rakkety Tam MacBurl is also from the north, forced to leave his home in the borders, travelling south in search of adventure. Roped into service for a squirrel king, he becomes disillusioned. Particularly when his warriors are attacked by a band of flesh-eaters and all the squirrel king is concerned about is the loss of his banner. Extracting a promise of freedom from his oath in return for finding the banner, Tam sets off on the trail of the marauding vermin, his fate becoming inextricably bound up with that of the fabled Abbey of Redwall. It's a brilliant read, and though it's usually in the children's/teenage section of the library, it's the sort of book anyone can enjoy, from the vivid culinary descriptions to the wide range of characters. Don't let yourself be put off by the fact it's about talking animals.
Along with the bestselling Redwall series, there's also the Castaways of the Flying Dutchman trilogy, following the adventures of Neb and his dog Den (later Ben and Ned). Press-ganged into service on the Flying Dutchman, they too share in its curse of eternity. But unlike the evil seamen, Neb and Den are pure of heart and, rescued by an angel, they are set on dry land to spread peace and help people to overcome evil. Another brilliant set of books from Brian Jacques, and I can't recommend them enough.
29 August 2009 from Joanna
Finds
Recent posts
- Allen Clarke on the BBC website
- Brian Jacques
- Mist over Pendle-Robert Neill
- Francis Thompson....poet or serial killer......
- BBC Radio Lancashire
- Lancashire are ready to start the hunt!
- Reading Detectives are go!
- Chorley Library
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