Lock This Topic Too! (By Next New Year's Day!!!)

[Wylder Treejumper]

Redwall is more significant than it seems on the surface. I could practically write a whole essay on it, but suffice it to say that the scenes within the abbey are actually as vital to the series as the main quest plot, although it might not seem like it. The feasting, the games, competitions, celebrations- all illustrate a particular way of life: community, friendship, the value of simple things over material wealth (which the vermin always waste themselves in pursuing, yet find no true happiness even in possessing). The quests and the Long Patrol bring us courage, sacrifice in defense of the good, self-discovery...

What makes it truly special, however, is Brian Jacques' sparkling prose. I read Redwall as much for the writing as I do for the story. He is the absolute master of descriptive writing, and that is the reason that he can write all of those feasts and celebrations without boring us.

[Sebias of Redwall]

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[Booklover]

Nor could I.

[shisteer of nothing much]

Yep.

[Wylder Treejumper]

There is a wonderful letter which Brian wrote, which illustrates his writing style beautifully. I'll quote just part in brief:

The advice I continually give to young writers is this "Learn to paint pictures with words." Not just once upon a time, but... In the long secret dust of ages, beneath a blue forgotten sky, where trade winds caress the sun bleached shores of unknown realms... See, as much as there are words in poetry, there is a poetry in words. Use it, stay faithful to the path you have set your heart upon and follow it.

[shisteer of nothing much]

Mm. That is delightful.

[Booklover]

What did you expect? It is Brian Jacques, after all.

[shisteer of nothing much]

True, true.

[Booklover]

Would I lie to you?

[Ebantu the Kararehe]

You might, under the right circumstances (or the wrong circumstances, perhaps).

[shisteer of nothing much]

Would I lie to you?

I don't know. Still, it was Seb who recommended the books anyway, so it's his honesty that's in question.

Now, everything is being really slow and my phone is almost dead, so I'm going to go do some writing.

[Booklover]

You might, under the right circumstances (or the wrong circumstances, perhaps).

Perhaps.

[shisteer of nothing much]

Mhmm.

[Booklover]

Hmhh.

[shisteer of nothing much]

Mm-m.