Arthur and the Invisibles

Arthur et les Minimoys #1-2

by Luc Besson

Enjoy the dazzling adventures of film director Luc Besson's Arthur and the Minimoys and Arthur and the Forbidden City together for the first time. Join Arthur as he embarks on a journey to the land of the Minimoys, a tribe of people less than one inch tall, to find his missing grandfather and a stolen treasure. Arthur joins two Minimoy friends on a trip to the forbidden city of Necropolis, where they battle the evil wizard Maltazard. Now a major motion picture brought to life by Luc Besson himself!

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction, Audiobook, Media Tie In, Young Adult, Middle Grade

416 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Luc Besson is a French film director, writer and producer. He is the creator of EuropaCorp film company. He has been involved with over 50 films, spanning 26 years, as writer, director, and/or producer, including the Transporter series.

Reviews

[Pascale · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun audiobook to listen to! Jim Dale is a truly great narrator.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prendete un nonno scomparso,uno sfratto imminente, un tesoro nascosto in giardino, e la leggenda di un piccolo popolo. Mischiate il tutto, aggiungete alla storia un bambino di 10 anni affamato di avventure, ed ecco che avrete Arthur e il popolo dei Minimei.

Devo essere sincera, Luc Besson, principalmente conosciuto per film come Nikita e Léon, non mi sembrava la persona più adatta a scrivere un libro Fantasy per bambini.
Le mie aspettative nei confronti di questo libro erano quindi molto basse, ma ho dovuto ricredermi, il viaggio con Arthur non è stato affatto male.
Sicuramente non ci troviamo davanti ad un capolavoro della letteratura per bambini, ma questo libro ha dimostrato di essere una buona fonte di intrattenimento.
All'inizio non è stato semplicissimo entrare nella narrazione.
Nel primo capitolo è molto evidente il tratto dello sceneggiatore, ogni cosa viene descritta per azioni, quasi come se Luc Besson stesse cercando di dirigere i suoi personaggi all'interno di una scena. Per fortuna, andando avanti nella lettura questo aspetto si addolcisce, rendendola più scorrevole
Nonostante questa storia segua una linea narrativa molto prevedibile, la buona dose di azione presente nel libro riesce a rendere il tutto più accattivante e meno noioso di quello che sarebbe potuto essere.
I personaggi sono simpatici, tra i protagonisti il mio preferito è stato Betameche, invece non ho amato particolarmente la principessa Selenia.
Nel caso specifico di questo personaggio, ho trovato da parte dell’autore, un falso tentativo di creare un personaggio femminile forte ed indipendente.

[Lydia]

For a moment, I thought the Bogo-Matassalai tribe actually exists!

Through Arthur's grandfather, Luc Besson describes the Bogo-Matassalai as an African tribe, people who were long and thin, and "they looked like distant cousins of girraffes, with the same strange gracefulness". Like the Chinese Yin and Yang, the balance in the lives of the Bogo-Matassalai are the Minimoys, miniature people, measuring less than an inch tall, who live undrground.

Arthur, 10, lives with his grandmother who unfortunately faces financial problems. All they need is some of Grandfather's rubies to pay off their debts. Grandfather has hid them and only two knows where they are: Grandfather and no one. Grandfather has disappeared years ago and has not returned. Just when all hope is lost (the electrical supply to the house gets cut off and they are to forced to move out in three days), Arthur stumbles upon a clue, left by his grandfather, that guides him to the world of the Minimoys. Intriguing!

Arthur races against time to enter the Minimoys land as the its gateway opens only on the seventh moon of each year. How Arthur enters is interesting enough to keep me glued to the book. Arthur, now a Minimoy, meets Princess Selenia and her brother, Betameche. Together, they embark on a journey to seek and battle the evil Maltazard. Selenia can be arrogant at times and a bully to Betameche. Readers may find Betameche cowardly, but I prefer to think he is just being extra cautious. Betameche is a character to like; he is humorous and quite amusing.

During his journey to Necropolis, many things that are seemingly normal to him, are now giants to Arthur. The water in the water tank is a sea, the lawn is a forest, his drinking straws are boats and walnut shells are boats as well as flying vehicles. As they journey further, Arthur finds what may seem yucky in his mouth (ours included) turn out to be a delicacy to the Minimoys. Arthur first decides the pink dessert Betameche offers him is... say, quite different. Then, when Betameche tells him that they are dragonfly eggs, Arthur spits everything out to the surprise of Betameche who is clearly relishing in every bite and chew of the treat. Arthur repeats his unpleasant experience when he unknowingly buys himself a delicacy, made from caterpillar eggs!
Luc Besson does not disappoint too when business is done (or so). The journey back to Minimoys land is intensively adventurous and heart pumping. The story wraps up pleasantly and Grandfather is back, to the joy of Grandma.

The only thing I find somewhat unnatural is somewhere in the story, Arthur becomes the husband of Minimoy Princess Selenia. Arthur, marries at 10? I find this rather far-fetched but then in fantasy and fiction, anything goes.

Arthur and the Invisibles is a 2-in-1 book. It includes Arthur and the Minimoys and its sequel, Arthur and the Forbidden City. This book is originally published in French and is now a major motion picture directed by Luc Besson himself.

This book is a delightful experience.
Now to watch the movie.

[M.Luciana.R · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the way may be old, ancient book Arthur and the invisibles has proved its worthiness. It takes me to another world series all your attention leaving you only to focus on the words in front of you... It takes you to a unreal reality, fantasy are you never know what happens next. Once again I suggest this book for the younger readers maybe 11 year old. It is worth your investments and your time.

[Veronika · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it as a kid 👌

[pingu · Rating 5 out of 5]

what an amazing book! hope i can find the sequals!

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly wise. Easy to read.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Narration was fantastic and the story so fantastically written. A bit of devotion, integrity, fantasy, good deeds, and bad people made for an enjoyable listen. Love the writing, love his movies.

[Marsha · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Arthur and the Invisibles” (really two novels in one) lacks any sense of true wonder. It is too filled with the usual clichés: young child wandering or blundering into adventure, non-stop perils (made meaningful only because of the protagonist’s reduced size), witless adults who haven’t a clue as to where the little one has vanished to and a member of royalty who is supposed to marry the hero(ine) by journey’s end. The storyline was further crippled for me by the inclusion of a snotty princess who was proud, vain, arrogant and, at many times, needlessly thoughtless and cruel. Yet we’re supposed to believe that a ten-year-old boy would be madly smitten with her.

I thought ten was an awfully tender age to imagine oneself in love and kept getting a rather unsettling feeling every time Arthur inwardly professed that he loved Princess Selenia. To his credit, Mr. Besson writes that Arthur at times doesn’t fully understand what the feeling churning inside him is or what love truly entails. (Selenia’s description that it involves complete, blind trust seems more like the demand of a manipulative dictator than a future loving spouse.) But love for Selenia is meant to be the motivating factor for Arthur’s actions. Apparently, trying to save his Grandma from losing her home isn’t incentive enough.

There is a brief throwaway to the Arthurian legend but it’s so obvious that it barely merits attention (you can see it coming a mile away). There are some ingenious tricks and maneuvers the various good guys pull out of their hats. But it’s not enough to make a compelling story.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Middle-grades fantasy audiobook. Selected because it was available now on overdrive, and because it is read by Jim Dale (narrator of the Harry Potter series). Arthur, age 10, is the main character. He lives with his grandmother because his parents are too busy to properly care for him (or something like that). His grandfather – an explorer / adventurer / anthropologist? – is missing, which is the subject of some gossip in their community. Some evil real estate guy is trying to buy up the property, and it looks like he is going to get it because the grandmother has no money and a tax payment (or some such) is coming due. Arthur stumbles upon a possible solution to all their troubles – clues that may have been planted just for him by his grandfather, before his disappearance. He embarks on a journey to the land of the Minimoys, a tribe of tiny people. He joins forces with Princess Selenia and her brother to battle the evil wizard Maltazard. And by the way, this is all taking part in his grandmother’s lawn (and he’s partially responsible for the destruction of the Minimoys because of his fun little projects diverting water with straws). Will he find treasure in time to rescue his grandmother?

To be honest, the plot didn’t always make sense, and it wasn’t a compelling tale, but it was enjoyable. Jim Dale is a great reader.

[Δx Δp ≥ ½ ħ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhh *nyorakin Mizan*

Mizan payah neh! masa buku kedua si Arthur gak diterjemahin? huuhh.. padahal pelemnya ajah udah rilis dua biji.... padahal buku yg inih jauh lebih seru drpd buku pertama. lebih kaya dengan detail. konfliknya juga tambah seru! Pelemnya juga. eh ngomong-ngomong yg maen di pelemnya tuh si Freddie Highmore (lagih [image error]. Bosen.. neh anak nongol mulu di banyak pelem, Finding Neverland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, August Rush, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Astro Boy, Golden Compass, Arthur and the Vengeance of Maltazard, A Fox's Tale, A Good Year, Five Children and It, sampai yg mau nongol, Arthur and the War of Two Worlds, Master Harold...and the Boys dan Homework.

bosen liat dia mulu.. tapi ektingnya bagus seh [image error]

gara-gara Mizan pula, saia mesti ngeprint ebook dan ngejilid sendiri [image error]

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arthur continues his big adventures in the kingdom of the little people, the Minimoys. Together with Minimoyan Princess Selenia and her brother , they embark on a journey to the forbidden city of Necropolis, to confront the evil wizard Maltazard, and hopefully retrieve the jewels that he stole from the Minimoys. These jewels are the "buried treasure" that his grandfather wrote about before he went missing. The treasure is actually entrusted to the care of the Minimoys, less than an inch-sized people who live underground in Arthur's backyard.

Arthur needs it to prevent the foreclosure of their property, so through a ritual, he shrinks into a Minimoy to get what is rightfully his. His bravery helps the kingdom of Minimoys defeat the evil Maltazard. Most of all, he not only gets the treasure back, but also his beloved grandpa.

Light and easy reading with a predictable happy ending, no need for worry or concern while reading. It's not actually bad, but I think I've had enough of this Minimoy stuff. On the other hand, Arthur is a lovable character, so I'll wait for when Arthur gets older and maybe a YA book will happen for him. :)

[Brent Stratton · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fun story. I listened to the audio book because it was read by Jim Dale and like he does with HP it was fantastic!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I read this book a few years ago and absolutely adored it. Since then I watched the movie and it made me think differently about the book. The images that the writer had described to me in the words in the book were different to what they were in the movie, so my recommendations for this book would probably be for everyone, but read the book first. Girls and boys would like this book, especially if you have a great imagination.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful read! I had only seen the movie before browsing a local bookshop to discover it was initially a series of two novels. I think there is some more mature content in there that might slip over children's heads, which is why I also marked it young adult. Truthfully, I think it's captivating at any age. It's the classic hero's journey tale and it's a marvelous and fun read. I only wish there was a third! If there is, someone please inform me.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast read. With all of the current fantasy books out there, this one was fun and imaginative--just right for younger readers who might be looking for something to capture their imagination. I would like to see the movie now that I have read the book just to see how it compares to the picture in my head.

[Literary Chanteuse · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone that has dreamed of stepping into a fantasy world with adventure and with hopes of becoming a hero this is the perfect choice. Interesting characters with a wonderful amount of humor. My daughter and I read this book together and both us are in agreemnent on a 5 star rating. This goes into both our favorite middle grade book pile.

[Shayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute book. The plot was interesting, the characters were likable, and although the ending was a bit too fluffy for me, overall, it was a great book. And the character development was excellent.

[Pinkyuenyee · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all I was attracted by the cover its really lovely. When I started reading I found this an unbelievably amazing book as I strongly recommend all readers,the characters are cute and the plot is exciting you must read this fabulous novel. ❤

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolutely charming read. The characters had distinct personalities, grating as some were, and for what is essentially a children's book, I still found myself on edge several times. I'm kind of looking forward to seeing the movie adaptation now.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Narrated by the legendary Jim Dale of Harry Potter fame this delightful children's story has all the elements of the traditional Hero's tale. The characters are well drawn especially the children/Minimoys. A fun read.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids love this movie. When I found out Jim Dale was the narrator for the audio book I grabbed it so I could listen to it in the car. I love Jim Dale, he is so entertaining!

[Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saw this on the shelf after watching the movie, wondered what it was like - pretty much like movie.

[Maddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could rate this book a thousand stars I would because it is the best book I have ever read. I love it.

[Tanderton · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a brilliant book I liked it also because they had two stories in one book.I recommend it to all people young and old!

[K Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

The movie was the book. Kinda nice for the kids to have the details behind the movie.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real good but could the ending have been a little less soppy? Otherwise bril!!!

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story and movie.

[Beril Naz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. Great life lessons.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is great but it's not perfect.