book data
194 ratings, 3.49 average rating, 25 reviews
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published
2006
(first published 2004)
by Hyperion
binding
Paperback, 240 pages
isbn
0786816597
(isbn13: 9780786816590)
description
In the ancient Northumbrian town of Fulwich, there is an old man whom nobody knows. This man, Thorston by name, has lived a secret life so that he may...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 272)
Reviewed by Carrie Spellman for TeensReadToo.com
What defines a life? How can you know that you've really lived your life? These are questions that Sybil has never thought about, until now. Now her master, Thorston, has died, and she and Odo, his talking bird, are likely to end up on the street. Unless they can figure out Thorston's secret for making gold.
Thorston was a magician. Not just an ordinary magician, but an alchemist, concerned with finding eternal life above all else. Now he's...more
What defines a life? How can you know that you've really lived your life? These are questions that Sybil has never thought about, until now. Now her master, Thorston, has died, and she and Odo, his talking bird, are likely to end up on the street. Unless they can figure out Thorston's secret for making gold.
Thorston was a magician. Not just an ordinary magician, but an alchemist, concerned with finding eternal life above all else. Now he's...more
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Read in July, 2007
I want to give this 2.5 stars. I did like it, but it had a slow beginning and the characters often did things that didn't make sense. A friend correctly told me that Avi is hit and miss. This was certainly a miss, but it was a nice diversion. I do hate to leave a book by the wayside unless it's really awful. The Book Without Words is full of magic and, yes, a bit of fable. If you want, you could extrapolate Jesus or the present U.S. political condition or what have you. Avi's not dumb, he...more
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Read in October, 2007
recommends it for:
Everyone
Avi creates authentically medieval moods with his writing. I love books with magic, especially during this time in history. And it doesn't hurt that one of the characters is a talking raven. This is a great book to read out loud with the family on rainy, bleak fall & winter nights around the fire.
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Read in June, 2006
I read this on a car trip this summer when I had finished my book and I hijacked one of the ones my sister wasn't using. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Avi was still awesome because I remembered reading and loving a few good Avi novels when I was younger.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
—
Read in November, 2008
Jerrit Schramm
12-1-08
8-1
The book without Words
This book takes place in the northern ancient province of North Umbria, in a town called Fulwich where a notorious alchemist by the name of Thorston is living and making gold to keep for himself with the help of his black bird named Odo and his 13 year old girl servant named Sybil. Thorston is also working on a potion that makes him live forever. But the potion needed 7 ingredients, shredded gargoyle ears, chimera crumbs, scales from a l...more
12-1-08
8-1
The book without Words
This book takes place in the northern ancient province of North Umbria, in a town called Fulwich where a notorious alchemist by the name of Thorston is living and making gold to keep for himself with the help of his black bird named Odo and his 13 year old girl servant named Sybil. Thorston is also working on a potion that makes him live forever. But the potion needed 7 ingredients, shredded gargoyle ears, chimera crumbs, scales from a l...more
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Read in May, 2008
I didn't really like this book. I wanted to(really, I did!), but it just seemed to lack . . . well, everything. The basic plot was good, but the way it was put forward was very bland. The characters didn't make much sense either, not thinking or acting like normal people. And for some reason they would be talking all medieval style one minute, and then the next be talking like modern day elementary kids. The ending didn't make much sense either. Really, I had to look twice to make sure it was th...more
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Read in August, 2007
recommends it for:
young teens
This mysterious tale takes place in medieval times. Thorston uses a seemingly blank book as part of his evil plot to become young again. An old priest, a young servant girl, a green-eyed boy, and a talking raven join forces to stop Thorston. If he succeeds, Sybil and Odo will die.
The best part is this quote: "A life unlived is like a book without words."
Not my favorite book by this author, but good for younger readers.
The best part is this quote: "A life unlived is like a book without words."
Not my favorite book by this author, but good for younger readers.
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Read in June, 2008
Hmmmm. What is it about Avi that I have a hard time with? I've tried other books of his and I seem to have a hard time finishing them. The story plot line was good - and I liked the characters - but at times it seems like they were cardboardy - Nothing wrong with Avi - he's just not my taste - even though I LOVE historical fiction.... hmmm
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Read in November, 2008
I was really disappointed in this book. I have read much better by this author: see Crispin: the cross or Don't you know there's a War On?. Now those were good books. This was so-so at best. I wouldn't have enjoyed it at all if it weren't for theNLS narrator.
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Could have been better, but this medieval fantasy will hold the attention of the 10-14 age group I believe. Avi is a good author and involves wondering who to trust, magic and adventure. Harry-Potter-ites will like it.
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Read in January, 2008
I saw this book on the juvenile fiction shelves as I was picking up a book for Anna and the title drew me in. Unfortunately, it wasn't as fascinating as the title led me to believe!
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Honestly? I remeber reading this book and finding it okay, but i have no idea what it was about any more.... my guess is it had something to do with a book with no words.....:)
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Read in July, 2008
I actually listened to the playaway digital book and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was rather dark, but I enjoyed the characters.
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This book is about an old man named Thorston who has lived a sercret life. This book is good. But, it's a little confusing.
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Read in January, 2008
Listened to this in the car as a family. I don't think any of us loved it that much, but it helped to pass the time.
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A mysterious book with a mysterious story and mysterious characters... just how mysterious people like it!
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Read in January, 2007
This one can be a bit scary for a younger reader. But I think it does so in a compelling way. It's a page turner
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Read in December, 2008
This book has amazing descriptive on every page. I really enjoyed it!
Creepy camp fire type of tale. Not for younger children.
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