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Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes
by Jonathan Auxier (Goodreads Author)
by Jonathan Auxier (Goodreads Author)
Betsy's review
bookshelves: childrens, fantasy, middle-grades, talking-animals
Mar 29, 12
bookshelves: childrens, fantasy, middle-grades, talking-animals
Read in March, 2012
Auxier must have grown up reading the greats--there is much in this book that reminds me of wonderfully told tales, great authors, and wildly inventive persons/places/things. I think it's a touch long--especially the first half, and I also had trouble buying into blind Peter's prowess at being able to navigate a strange castle in the midst of a battle--skilled though he was at sensing events and landscapes around him.
That being said, there is a lot to love in this quirky fantasy novel. It calls to mind Pinocchio (dogfish anyone? the notion of a "real boy" finally at the end), great battles in which the underdogs miraculously triumph (Helms Deep comes to mind), Peter Pan (not the least of which reminders includes a prominent fishhook in action and the title character's name), Oliver Twist (poor chap taken in by master thief), anthropomorphic animals with noble or ignoble hearts (too many to name here, but the feel of Narnia comes to mind),.... There's another striking Narnia reference at the end, but I don't want to spoil anyone's fun.
All in all, this is just what a great children's fantasy novel should be--or, the very, very good start. Auxier, give us more!
Some concerned parents may wish to know that there is some striking violence in this book. I didn't mind it in the least--in some ways, it's reassuring to know that bad guys (who are really, really bad and have just crunched someone up to eat him/her) also get their fair shrift, that war is bloody, but healing tears can sometimes wash that blood away, and that when right triumphs in the end, it is often at a cost. The tone regarding the violence is very matter of fact and there is not a lot of graphic description. It's just what you'd expect if a horde of angry apes is fighting to the death against a horde of loyal, magnificent ravens in a kingdom that had vanished but has now resurfaced....
In addition, this book is filled with some outstanding, quotable material. My personal favorite is this:
"Now, there is a wonderful thing in this world called 'foresight.' It is a gift treasured above all others because it allows one to know what the future holds. Most people with foresight end up wielding immense power in life, often becoming great rulers or librarians." (p. 181)
Book borrowed from my local library; review also posted on Literaritea
That being said, there is a lot to love in this quirky fantasy novel. It calls to mind Pinocchio (dogfish anyone? the notion of a "real boy" finally at the end), great battles in which the underdogs miraculously triumph (Helms Deep comes to mind), Peter Pan (not the least of which reminders includes a prominent fishhook in action and the title character's name), Oliver Twist (poor chap taken in by master thief), anthropomorphic animals with noble or ignoble hearts (too many to name here, but the feel of Narnia comes to mind),.... There's another striking Narnia reference at the end, but I don't want to spoil anyone's fun.
All in all, this is just what a great children's fantasy novel should be--or, the very, very good start. Auxier, give us more!
Some concerned parents may wish to know that there is some striking violence in this book. I didn't mind it in the least--in some ways, it's reassuring to know that bad guys (who are really, really bad and have just crunched someone up to eat him/her) also get their fair shrift, that war is bloody, but healing tears can sometimes wash that blood away, and that when right triumphs in the end, it is often at a cost. The tone regarding the violence is very matter of fact and there is not a lot of graphic description. It's just what you'd expect if a horde of angry apes is fighting to the death against a horde of loyal, magnificent ravens in a kingdom that had vanished but has now resurfaced....
In addition, this book is filled with some outstanding, quotable material. My personal favorite is this:
"Now, there is a wonderful thing in this world called 'foresight.' It is a gift treasured above all others because it allows one to know what the future holds. Most people with foresight end up wielding immense power in life, often becoming great rulers or librarians." (p. 181)
Book borrowed from my local library; review also posted on Literaritea
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Quotes Betsy Liked
“Now, there is a wonderful thing in this world called "foresight". It is a gift treasured above all others because it allows one to know what the future holds. Most people with foresight end up wielding immense power in life, often becoming great rulers or librarians.”
― Jonathan Auxier, Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes
― Jonathan Auxier, Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes
“In my experience heroes are no more good than you or I. And though occasionally noble, they are just as often cunning, resourceful, and a little brash.”
― Jonathan Auxier, Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes
― Jonathan Auxier, Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes
“...I have called you forth not because of what you may become, but because of what you already are.”
― Jonathan Auxier, Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes
― Jonathan Auxier, Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes
