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High Rhulain.
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It was one of those books that are entertaining because its Redwall, not much else to it.
Spoilers for High Rhulain:
Spoiler
I thought Riggu's death was extremely anticlimactic. Pitru's was much more formidable.
One of my favorite in the whole series ^.^
I never really enjoyed this book. I won't go into too much detail, but for me it seemed that pretty much everything past The Taggerung was tired and filled with Redwall cliches.
Do we have a journey? Check.
Do we have to retrieve something? Check.
Are there any bad guy(s)? Check.
Is there a new land/place in need of saving? Check.
While each Redwall book utilizes these basic plot-points, High Rhulain didn't put a unique twist on it. Everything seen here has been done better in previous Redwall books. While I can go back to Mossflower and re-read it again and enjoy it, (check out out the audiobook version!) I feel no urge to go back to these later books.
I'll post a more in-depth review if anyone wants it, but these are my feelings on the post 2001 Jacques novels in a nutshell.
I personally never found High Rhulain boring. First of all, we learn more about the nuances and inner workings of the otter tribes. Secondly, we expand our horizons in the Redwall world. We also have a heroine who is a bit of Warlady, if you will. I mean, sure, there are other female warriors in the series, but it seems like the only position of leadership the ladies of the good species get is Abbess. Tiria is both a queen and a warrioress.
Also do you think the Slothunog was of Mr. Jacques's own invention, or if it had roots in our world? Anyone know of a reptilian creature that lives in warm/hot water? ;D
The Slothunog seemed like Bessie(?) is that her name?
Nessie
Aye! Nessie.
I was surprised to read that this book got such mixed reviews. It hit all of the right spots for me, featuring characters in a setting that were inspired by my adopted country, and a great female protagonist.
This might sound sappy and overly personal, but that meant the world to me growing up.
I wouldn't change who I am for the world, but I found out that there are a lot of people that think that if you're a girl, you're second-rate, not smart or strong or steady or sturdy enough to take care of things. If you're sweet, you're a pushover; if you're not, that's even worse! There's so much pressure on young ladies, and I suppose that's why I looked at Tiria as a sort of role model. She's ladylike and a great leader, while just being herself. She showed that you don't have to compromise who you are to have an impact on the world.
Maybe some people think she's too perfect, but I think she represents the sort of heroine that we need in literature, who's recognised as special just like the male heroes, to affirm to girls that they have a bright future ahead.
I remember loving this book when I first read it. That's probably mostly down to the fact that it focuses on the otters, but I never had any complaints about Tiria, though I do acknowledge comments about her being too perfect as valid. I still maintain my position that practically every male Redwall protagonist is a Mary-Sue. Mary-Sues are kind of a Redwall staple and I don't see why everyone has something bad to say about the female protagonists, particularly Tiria and Mariel, but never have any complaints about the same or similar issues in male characters.
High Rhulain was the first Redwall book I finished and I thought it was fantastic. While I was new to the Redwall formula then (which I believe there is one, although it's a very good formula because it sold over 20 million books, lol), it's still one of my favorites after having read all of the books at least once!
One of my favorite parts in it (and possibly the whole Redwall series) is when the otters are all down on their luck sitting around a fire, feeling pretty upset about everything and then BAM a random hare appears and starts ordering them to do stuff like he owns the place! The biggest otter of the bunch (a sort of 'little-john' esque otter, for those who have read Robin Hood) steps up and eyes the long-eared guy up and down. He asks in a gruff voice who the heck they have to do all this for. The hare, not blinking an eye gives them the answer they'd long given up on: "I believe her name is Rhulain, sah."
BOOM! gives me chills every time. Really great delivery by Brian Jacques
Ooh, yeah, that part was very clever.
Third favorite book in the series.
Quote from: Darkenmal on January 09, 2017, 04:23:17 AM
I never really enjoyed this book. I won't go into too much detail, but for me it seemed that pretty much everything past The Taggerung was tired and filled with Redwall cliches.
Do we have a journey? Check.
Do we have to retrieve something? Check.
Are there any bad guy(s)? Check.
Is there a new land/place in need of saving? Check.
While each Redwall book utilizes these basic plot-points, High Rhulain didn't put a unique twist on it. Everything seen here has been done better in previous Redwall books. While I can go back to Mossflower and re-read it again and enjoy it, (check out out the audiobook version!) I feel no urge to go back to these later books.
I'll post a more in-depth review if anyone wants it, but these are my feelings on the post 2001 Jacques novels in a nutshell.
That's true this book is very similar to Mossflower
Welcome to the eighteenth book in our series readalong event: High Rhulain! For those who have not already seen, here are a couple things to note before you start discussing:
- Please keep your posts here and in the entirety of the General Discussion board on-topic and constructive. When discussing topics like favorites, it always helps to give reasoning as to why you chose your favorite character, scene, etc. When in doubt, add more! It is always fun to see what other people think and respectfully debate with them.
- If you would like to participate but don't own the book, there are a few resources that may be of use to you. Libby, Audible, and (of course) your local library, are all good ways to rent books/audiobooks for free (Audible is free only for the first 30-day trial). There is no harm in permanently expanding your Redwall collection, though, if you can afford it!
- If you want even more Redwall discussion, please check out the Recorder on the Wall (http://redwallabbey.com/forum/index.php?topic=10104.0) podcast episodes for the book! Every three weeks we will be posting the relevant episodes, so please check them out. Here are the episodes for Parts 1 (https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/frustratedfans/Recorder_Episode_58.mp3), 2 (https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/frustratedfans/Recorder_Episode_59.mp3), and 3 (https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/frustratedfans/Recorder_Episode_60.mp3) of High Rhulain!
- If you have created any writing, art, voice acting, or any other form of media based on this book and/or its characters, send a link (or image if it is art) to me through PMs and I will share it in this post! Seeing how other people portray the story through their own work is a wonderful way to be drawn deeper into the story and wider Redwall community.
Finally, here are a few guiding questions for discussion if you are unsure what to talk about:
- Who is your favorite character, and why do you regard them as your favorite?
- Who was your least favorite character, and why did they bother you?
- What was your favorite scene? What stuck out to you about it?
- What are your thoughts on the book as a whole? Where does it rank against other Redwall books and why?
- Do you have any theories or small details others may not have picked up on when reading?
- And anything else you want to mention!
Have fun, and happy discussing!
High Rhulan was my favorite book in the series. I think Tiria was dynamic, something I didn't really notice in other protagonists. From here on, spoilers.
Spoiler
At the beginning when she accidentally killed a vermin (Forgot exactly what kind) she felt really bad about it, but later on she toughens up to purposefully kill Riggu Felis.