Book Review: Mattimeo by Brian Jacques
Sep. 29th, 2006 07:45 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
juushikaTitle: Mattimeo
Author: Brian Jacques
Published: London: Random House, 1989 (1990)
Page Count: 446
Total Page Count: 31,399
Text Number: 90
Read For: my own enjoyment, from my personal library
Short review: The third book in the Redwall series, Mattimeo is the story of Mattimeo, Matthias the Warrior's son, who is captured by a slaver and taken on a long journey far to the south of Mossflower Woods—a journey that will turn him from a youth into a warrior. Slagar the Cruel, a masked fox, is a slaver determined to bring ruin to Redwall and to the warrior Matthias in particular. When he kidnaps Matthias's son, Mattimeo, along with a number of other youngsters from Redwall, it seems that Slagar will achieve his goal. As he forces the slaves on a long march deep into the barren, dangerous southern lands, Matthias and a band of warriors go to rescue their children. In their absence, the Abbey is attacked, leaving the peaceful abbeydwellers to defend it. The three storylines run concurrently, keeping the action moving. Riddles hidden deep within the Abbey bring aid to the rescuing warriors and reveal long-forgotten knowledge about the Abbey's founders. A coming of age story is combined with exploration, riddles, and battle, making for a meaningful, readable story.
Mattimeo is a direct continuation of Redwall, the first book in the series, and it contains a number of reappearing characters. Because it carries on a direct lineage (Matthias to Mattimeo), the story deals with issues such as child-parent relationships, coming of age, and familial bonds in more depth than any other Redwall book. Mattimeo begins as the spoiled, immature son of the Abbey warrior, experiences real danger and hard work, and becomes a mature, hardened, dedicated warrior. He makes his father proud and, for the first time, the two can see eye to eye. Mattimeo is a warrior like Matthias, but the two remain distinct individuals that fight differently, accomplish different things, and lead different lives. As such, this is a wonderful book for children in particular—it will encourage them in their own journey towards maturity and help them explore their family relationships and ties.
As a Redwall book, Mattimeo isn't particularly exceptional but it is enjoyable and explores a lot of new and interesting territory. It lacks a certain spark (such as a sufficiently evil villain, large discovery, or historical event) and is not one of the more memorable or important books in the Redwall series. That said, it is still a fast-paced, emotional, and entirely enjoyable read. Matthias and Mattimeo are both wonderful characters, especially towards the end of the book. Their far-reaching journey into the southern lands—new to the map of Redwall—are exciting and expansive. The discovery of part of Redwall's history should interest all fans of the series, and as always the concurrent plot lines keep the book moving at a swift pace. And then, the Redwall staples are there: good food, various cultures, amusing characters, maps, riddles, villains, battles, and always the legacy of Martin the Warrior. It may not be the best in the series, but this book is far from disappointing. The coming of age story is meaningful, the exploration is exciting, and the battles are triumphant. I enjoy rereading it, and I recommend it.
Review posted here at Amazon.com.
Author: Brian Jacques
Published: London: Random House, 1989 (1990)
Page Count: 446
Total Page Count: 31,399
Text Number: 90
Read For: my own enjoyment, from my personal library
Short review: The third book in the Redwall series, Mattimeo is the story of Mattimeo, Matthias the Warrior's son, who is captured by a slaver and taken on a long journey far to the south of Mossflower Woods—a journey that will turn him from a youth into a warrior. Slagar the Cruel, a masked fox, is a slaver determined to bring ruin to Redwall and to the warrior Matthias in particular. When he kidnaps Matthias's son, Mattimeo, along with a number of other youngsters from Redwall, it seems that Slagar will achieve his goal. As he forces the slaves on a long march deep into the barren, dangerous southern lands, Matthias and a band of warriors go to rescue their children. In their absence, the Abbey is attacked, leaving the peaceful abbeydwellers to defend it. The three storylines run concurrently, keeping the action moving. Riddles hidden deep within the Abbey bring aid to the rescuing warriors and reveal long-forgotten knowledge about the Abbey's founders. A coming of age story is combined with exploration, riddles, and battle, making for a meaningful, readable story.
Mattimeo is a direct continuation of Redwall, the first book in the series, and it contains a number of reappearing characters. Because it carries on a direct lineage (Matthias to Mattimeo), the story deals with issues such as child-parent relationships, coming of age, and familial bonds in more depth than any other Redwall book. Mattimeo begins as the spoiled, immature son of the Abbey warrior, experiences real danger and hard work, and becomes a mature, hardened, dedicated warrior. He makes his father proud and, for the first time, the two can see eye to eye. Mattimeo is a warrior like Matthias, but the two remain distinct individuals that fight differently, accomplish different things, and lead different lives. As such, this is a wonderful book for children in particular—it will encourage them in their own journey towards maturity and help them explore their family relationships and ties.
As a Redwall book, Mattimeo isn't particularly exceptional but it is enjoyable and explores a lot of new and interesting territory. It lacks a certain spark (such as a sufficiently evil villain, large discovery, or historical event) and is not one of the more memorable or important books in the Redwall series. That said, it is still a fast-paced, emotional, and entirely enjoyable read. Matthias and Mattimeo are both wonderful characters, especially towards the end of the book. Their far-reaching journey into the southern lands—new to the map of Redwall—are exciting and expansive. The discovery of part of Redwall's history should interest all fans of the series, and as always the concurrent plot lines keep the book moving at a swift pace. And then, the Redwall staples are there: good food, various cultures, amusing characters, maps, riddles, villains, battles, and always the legacy of Martin the Warrior. It may not be the best in the series, but this book is far from disappointing. The coming of age story is meaningful, the exploration is exciting, and the battles are triumphant. I enjoy rereading it, and I recommend it.
Review posted here at Amazon.com.
