For discussion related to the book
Marlfox.
@James Gryphon: If these topics are considered unnecessary please delete.
Absolutely loved this book. Of course it was entertaining because it was Redwall, but the conflict between Dannflor and his dad was really cool, too, my favorite aspect of the book.
This is/was my favorite one!!! As of my name!!
This book is a true written piece of art, captivating and interesting. Definitely one of the best redwall books that i have read so far.
The first Redwall book I read and... while I don't want to blaspheme the work of Mr Brian, especially the one that lead me to all of this to begin with, I must admit I found the story a bit dull. I don't know maybe I was new to the accents, or hadn't faced many Songbreeze's, or books with songs in them... but i do know that I loved the interaction of the Marlfoxes, which in turn made me read more, and started my minor obsession with vermin.
I think my favourite aspect of this particular book is that it's one of those rare Redwall books that actually has an overarching theme other than the usual "good will always triumph over evil" business that the entire series is always on about. But Marlfox in particular is about how it's wrong to tear children down over their mistakes, and how adults have a responsibility to encourage children as much as possible (as shown in the speech Janglur gives when he chews out Dann's father for yelling at his son, and the scene where Log-a-Log defends Dippler against Fenno's abuse). That's just a really positive message to be sending.
Also, the American cover art for this book is one of my favourite covers in the whole series:
(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/redwall/images/0/03/MarlfoxUS.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20070310152336)
It's just... cool.
Last page of Marlfox after the recorder has signed off:
"Curtain! This narrative has been edited by Florian Dugglwoof Wilfachop, Actor Manager Impresario. Who insists that the entire tale is a drama, which he will be later performing as a play. Hence the three parts being named as acts, and not books. We crave your indulgence for this deviation."
Did the story really happen in the Redwall world?
Are the events exaggerated?
If its edited by Florian, he clearly didnt paint himself in the best light
He insists that is a drama, just that its dramatic or that is is solely a theatrical piece?
was really surprised by this gem at the end of the book
Well I think that all the Redwall books are exxagerated accounts of what 'really' happened as history is written by the winners. I doubt he thought up ALL of it, though I don't remember enough of Marlfox to say exactly what was exxagerated.
Yup nice little fourth wall break. Very Deadpool-ey.
Marlfox was the first book I read from the series
Quote from: gojuchrisa on October 16, 2018, 01:28:21 PM
Last page of Marlfox after the recorder has signed off:
"Curtain! This narrative has been edited by Florian Dugglwoof Wilfachop, Actor Manager Impresario. Who insists that the entire tale is a drama, which he will be later performing as a play. Hence the three parts being named as acts, and not books. We crave your indulgence for this deviation."
Did the story really happen in the Redwall world?
Are the events exaggerated?
If its edited by Florian, he clearly didnt paint himself in the best light
He insists that is a drama, just that its dramatic or that is is solely a theatrical piece?
was really surprised by this gem at the end of the book
Yeah that's one thing I found slightly annoying. Most Redwall books start off as someone retelling a tale of what had previously happened. But then how on earth would someone be able to retell or remember all of the mundane details that happen in the book ? for example cooking food around campfire and so forth. Also we have parts of the book that deal with conversations, daily life and plans going on in vermin camps. How would the re-teller of the story, who is always a "good beast" know what was exactly going on in a vermin camp especially when no woodlanders or good beasts where present there at the time and vermin hordes are almost always completely wiped out...
I don't think we're supposed to scrutinize it that closely. XD
For the most part, the books can be read without the prologue and epilogue. They're just an addition that shows Brian's storytelling spirit.
Quote from: Grond on October 30, 2018, 05:58:06 AM
Yeah that's one thing I found slightly annoying. Most Redwall books start off as someone retelling a tale of what had previously happened. But then how on earth would someone be able to retell or remember all of the mundane details that happen in the book ? for example cooking food around campfire and so forth. Also we have parts of the book that deal with conversations, daily life and plans going on in vermin camps. How would the re-teller of the story, who is always a "good beast" know what was exactly going on in a vermin camp especially when no woodlanders or good beasts where present there at the time and vermin hordes are almost always completely wiped out...
Actually, that's always been my favorite part of Brain's books. The retelling format is one that I've actually used fairly frequently. Also, with the mundane things, the recorders would probably (if they took joy in their work. ;D) would probably have taken special notice of those "mundane details". As to what's going on in the vermin camps, meh, we needed to know what was going on, so obviously they flew over in a helicopter and just hovered there for a while. It was a stealth helicopter so that the vermin wouldn't be distracted. ;D
Nah, basically, it sets up the framing narrative of the person telling the story. We get transported back in time to see the events as they unfold, while they tell a story of their version of the events. Rufe Brush couldn't have told the story of The Bellmaker as it is written in one night, for example.
Quote from: Jetthebinturong on October 30, 2018, 09:17:13 PM
Nah, basically, it sets up the framing narrative of the person telling the story. We get transported back in time to see the events as they unfold, while they tell a story of their version of the events. Rufe Brush couldn't have told the story of The Bellmaker as it is written in one night, for example.
I really like the way you described that!
Quote from: Jetthebinturong on October 30, 2018, 09:17:13 PM
Nah, basically, it sets up the framing narrative of the person telling the story. We get transported back in time to see the events as they unfold, while they tell a story of their version of the events. Rufe Brush couldn't have told the story of The Bellmaker as it is written in one night, for example.
On-point.
I absoflippinlutely adore Marlfox. It is my fourth favorite book and it was soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo great! The Marlfoxes are awesome villains, the good characters were actually really great and some of the best in the series and the journeys and the seige on redwall were awesome! Almost every chapter was great and the ones that weren't were still really fun! And when Jacques made characters that you were supposed to hate you really did hate like Fenno and stupid stupid scummy awful I hated his tiny guts Dwopple. I really really really really hated Dwopple so much. He was supposed to be cute and a dibbun that we love but I ended up wanting him not to escape the Marlfoxes. I'm sorry that I just made a rant about stupid stupid scummy awful I hated his tiny guts Dwopple.
I need to calm down.
Welcome to the thirteenth book in our series readalong event: Marlfox! 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 (http://traffic.libsyn.com/frustratedfans/Recorder_Episode_43.mp3), 2 (http://traffic.libsyn.com/frustratedfans/Recorder_Episode_44.mp3), and 3 (http://traffic.libsyn.com/frustratedfans/Recorder_Episode_45.mp3) of Marlfox!
- 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!
I at first didn't like Marlfox and stopped reading. I don't exactly know why. Then, I gave it a try and really liked it.
Marlfox is my favourite book in the Redwall series. It all started sinppy because, well, I like foxes, haha! However, there's more to it then that. There's so much fun poetry and so many riddles to solve in Marlfox. So typically Redwall!
I love the dynamic between the Marlfxloxes themselves. They're siblings but truly awful to each other. They're all spoiled brats that think they're better than the others and, while certain foxes get more character and personality than others (perhapsnthere were too many, really, so they're not all unique), they're still cool. A new (sub)species! Very cool.
The Marlfox Queen Sliph and her daughter, that whole sideplot was great. It was sinister, cunning, and cruel; everything you'd expect from a Redwall villain. And for the princess to have her victory ripped away from her by Mokkan right after tasting the fruits of her plot, HA, classic villain end. So wonderfully eeeevil of Mokkan, and so in character.
The four heroes, I adore. Songbreeze was a strong girl who didnt take any sass but was gentle and kind. I always loved her winding up as Abbess while Dannflor became a worthy warrior. His relationship with his father was a great example of family-tension. Old man Reguba drilling into Dannflor's head how he should be was a great contrast to how Song's father Jangular Swifteye treated his daughter. Dippler was such a *shrew*, haha! I loved his Good Manners song, it was too funny. Burble, he was a wildcard. He made watervoles seem like such chaotic good forces compared to his selfish tribe, came back after thieving their green stick, and became their leader. I miss Burble.
THAT was a treat, too, how the two squirrel dads knew each other from the past, respected each other, and both raised their children in different ways for different reasons. One chill pops and one uptight one gave us a view of two unique woodland parenting styles.
Yiss Yiss will never leave my vernacular. Never. Ever. Ever. XD
Marlfoxes:
You may have outsmarted me, But I have outsmarted your outsmarting!
Doing another one of these because I finished Marlfox just last week. I enjoyed it a lot, and I really wanna get a hold of Long Patrol so I can finish the Cregga trilogy:
1. Who is your favorite character, and why do you regard them as your favorite?
Definitely Janglur. He was really cool, and I often dreaded that something would happen to him just to give the bad guys an edge, but, fortunately, that wasn't the case. He's a great dad, a great fighter (so glad he managed to take out Predak during that first fight), and he was really smart as well. I also just really like saying his name :P
Florian is a close second. Something about hares with no real war experience stepping up when the situation calls for it is endearing to me, and it helps that he's Ballaw's descendant. The concept of an Abbey Thespian who adapts their stories into plays is also cool to me.
Then there's Mokkan, who I really enjoyed up until the end. His meltdown was cool, but I enjoyed his more manipulative side and how smart he was. I wish there had been an actual Marlfox on Marlfox fight with him and maybe Lantur or Gelltor, though.
2. Who was your least favorite character, and why did they bother you?
Either the Grey One or Fenno. I'd say that the Grey One is worse because at least Fenno got what he deserved. The Grey One was just a greedy liar who got no real punishment as far as I remember. Dwopple is an easy choice as well, but I don't think he was AS bad after he got rescued. If anything, Deesum is the problem for treating him like a golden child when he clearly isn't.
3. What was your favorite scene? What stuck out to you about it?
The scene of Silth's death was pretty good because it gave me Princess Bride vibes, lol. Any scene where Mokkan was involved was pretty good, too. I just really enjoy him as a villain.
4. What are your thoughts on the book as a whole? Where does it rank against other Redwall books and why?
I'd consider this one slightly better than Taggerung mainly because the Marlfoxes were much better villains than Gruven. I don't really like ranking the books that much if I'm honest. I tend to like things for their own reasons.
5. Do you have any theories or small details others may not have picked up on when reading?
Since Florian is Ballaw's descendant, then I headcanon the otter brothers as descendants of Kayla (or Tullgrew), Runktipp as Pallum's descendant, and Roop and Muggle as descendants of Grumm. I'd consider Deesum and Dwopple to be descendants of Brome but I'd rather not insult Brome's name like that.
Quote from: JazzOfRedwall98 on November 07, 2023, 04:04:10 PMI'd consider Deesum and Dwopple to be descendants of Brome but I'd rather not insult Brome's name like that.
I only just started reading it, but I already have some idea what you're talking about.
Quote from: Brother Saul on November 13, 2023, 02:45:14 AMQuote from: JazzOfRedwall98 on November 07, 2023, 04:04:10 PMI'd consider Deesum and Dwopple to be descendants of Brome but I'd rather not insult Brome's name like that.
I only just started reading it, but I already have some idea what you're talking about.
Lol, I just don't care for them as much as I care for Brome. But you'll see more of what I mean.