What do you think?
Rate this book
The Forest of App
Twelve, a young witch, Needle, an elf, and Stout, a dwarf rescue Nob, a young cripple abandoned in the forest by his people
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
154 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1983
23 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 8, 2021
I admit I went into this book with a jaded expectation. My sister waxes poetically about how this one book ruined the sci-fi/fantasy genre for her for over a decade. She was quite young and this book is rather dark for an 8-year-old.
I also admit that I glimpsed a few of the reviews before reading and was intrigued about Mester Stoorworm--who was just as wonderful as my greatest hopes thought he could be. Everybody needs their own Stoorworm--or rather, every foolish mortal need to be lorded over by a Stoorworm.
By the time I got to the halfway point, I was convinced this story was an allegory for dementia. Everyone is so confused, lost and only a story can bring back their memories.
I also kind of want to draw a picture of the yunicorne--complete with tusks and curving horn. Actually, now that I think of it, it was described similarly to a wooly mammoth with a curved horn.
EDIT: Forgot to add that the tone of this novel, while clearly a wee bit depressing, reminded me of a lot of The Adventures of Frog & Toad. If you enjoyed Frog & Toad's antics, you'll enjoy this book, too.
I also admit that I glimpsed a few of the reviews before reading and was intrigued about Mester Stoorworm--who was just as wonderful as my greatest hopes thought he could be. Everybody needs their own Stoorworm--or rather, every foolish mortal need to be lorded over by a Stoorworm.
By the time I got to the halfway point, I was convinced this story was an allegory for dementia. Everyone is so confused, lost and only a story can bring back their memories.
I also kind of want to draw a picture of the yunicorne--complete with tusks and curving horn. Actually, now that I think of it, it was described similarly to a wooly mammoth with a curved horn.
EDIT: Forgot to add that the tone of this novel, while clearly a wee bit depressing, reminded me of a lot of The Adventures of Frog & Toad. If you enjoyed Frog & Toad's antics, you'll enjoy this book, too.
May 14, 2019
Found this in a box of childhood books. The only parts I remembered from previous reads were the description of Twelve's golden skin and olive hair, and the stoorworm. I looooove the stoorworm. I did not remember how much sadness was packed into such a short little novel. Ack.
August 10, 2016
This book came into my possession all due to my youngest child. His eight year-old hands found this in a used bookstore we visited after one of his lacrosse games that happened to be out of town.
Normally this is a book I might have passed up. Yet, he insisted that I purchase it. Why? He wanted to read it himself. Yes my eight year old can actually read an adult book if he takes his time.
Anyway, I decided to see what it had within its pages before allowing him to read it. Something I learned awhile back with my middle son. What I thought would be a harmless science fiction novel, actually had very graphic sex descriptions and difficult lifestyle choices people make. No, this is not a slam on homosexuality. I’m talking about a polyandry lifestyle. In the book it was a polyandry marriage. Yeah, so I ended up having to explain this to my young son along with sodomy and other sexual acts people perform on each other, willingly I might add. At least in the book he read they were willing participants.
Okay, now that that is out in the open, back to the book in this review, The Forest of APP.
As it turns out to my pleasant surprise this was a very enjoyable, yet short tale of Magic, Bards, friendship, love, loss, despair, fear, regret and cruelty. The story is about the magic that is vanishing from the forest of APP, and a young crippled orphan who wanders into the forest. Becoming hopelessly lost, he is then rescued by a young Witch-Brat (once you read about her it will all make sense), an Elf and a Dwarf, who take him in and nurse him back to health.
He was in the forest to begin with because of the band of storytellers he was born into. When the children of this band get to a certain age they are sent off to learn new tales to tell, bringing these stories back to the band of traveling entertainers.
Nob (a sad yet slightly fitting name. Once again read the book to understand.) Having been born crippled due to an illness. On the day his name is eligible for being chosen to leave, he is denied this honor. You see, he is looked down upon and ridiculed by the rest in his band because of his small size and injured body. They think him to weak to care for himself because of his disability.
Well Nob, runs away and finds stories beyond imagination.
This was one heck of a fun read and realized world. The characters were very well fleshed out and believable. There are over and undertones regarding hunters and the way man fits in the world and the damage they bring with them. I will say the way the forest friends handle a certain situation was extremely enjoyable for me to read and experience. That’s right, I felt I was right there with them, exacting the nightmare upon the hunters. Lord was it fun. A lot is packed into this very short tale. Though it is not done in a heavy-handed manner. The author has made an adult story that is perfect for the young as well. In fact it is a wonderful book that can be shared by the young and older readers.
Now I did have a few problems with this story. First off the back cover says that Nob and his new friends might be able to save the forest’s magic. Okay? Yet, I don’t remember any explanations as to why the magic was vanishing. It just was, and there never once was any conversation or mention of how to go about getting it to stop vanishing or making it return. All the characters just went about their daily lives and adventures within the forest. Helping other and getting into personal mischief. Which was both fun and entertaining to read. The other issue I had is there is no sequel. The tale ends with a somewhat cliffhanger and no hope of any conclusion. Talk about frustrating. This is a story begging for a second part.
I did learn that unfortunately it is out of print and hard to locate. I lucked out because I went to a used bookstore with my youngest son, whom I can’t wait to have him read this book.
Normally this is a book I might have passed up. Yet, he insisted that I purchase it. Why? He wanted to read it himself. Yes my eight year old can actually read an adult book if he takes his time.
Anyway, I decided to see what it had within its pages before allowing him to read it. Something I learned awhile back with my middle son. What I thought would be a harmless science fiction novel, actually had very graphic sex descriptions and difficult lifestyle choices people make. No, this is not a slam on homosexuality. I’m talking about a polyandry lifestyle. In the book it was a polyandry marriage. Yeah, so I ended up having to explain this to my young son along with sodomy and other sexual acts people perform on each other, willingly I might add. At least in the book he read they were willing participants.
Okay, now that that is out in the open, back to the book in this review, The Forest of APP.
As it turns out to my pleasant surprise this was a very enjoyable, yet short tale of Magic, Bards, friendship, love, loss, despair, fear, regret and cruelty. The story is about the magic that is vanishing from the forest of APP, and a young crippled orphan who wanders into the forest. Becoming hopelessly lost, he is then rescued by a young Witch-Brat (once you read about her it will all make sense), an Elf and a Dwarf, who take him in and nurse him back to health.
He was in the forest to begin with because of the band of storytellers he was born into. When the children of this band get to a certain age they are sent off to learn new tales to tell, bringing these stories back to the band of traveling entertainers.
Nob (a sad yet slightly fitting name. Once again read the book to understand.) Having been born crippled due to an illness. On the day his name is eligible for being chosen to leave, he is denied this honor. You see, he is looked down upon and ridiculed by the rest in his band because of his small size and injured body. They think him to weak to care for himself because of his disability.
Well Nob, runs away and finds stories beyond imagination.
This was one heck of a fun read and realized world. The characters were very well fleshed out and believable. There are over and undertones regarding hunters and the way man fits in the world and the damage they bring with them. I will say the way the forest friends handle a certain situation was extremely enjoyable for me to read and experience. That’s right, I felt I was right there with them, exacting the nightmare upon the hunters. Lord was it fun. A lot is packed into this very short tale. Though it is not done in a heavy-handed manner. The author has made an adult story that is perfect for the young as well. In fact it is a wonderful book that can be shared by the young and older readers.
Now I did have a few problems with this story. First off the back cover says that Nob and his new friends might be able to save the forest’s magic. Okay? Yet, I don’t remember any explanations as to why the magic was vanishing. It just was, and there never once was any conversation or mention of how to go about getting it to stop vanishing or making it return. All the characters just went about their daily lives and adventures within the forest. Helping other and getting into personal mischief. Which was both fun and entertaining to read. The other issue I had is there is no sequel. The tale ends with a somewhat cliffhanger and no hope of any conclusion. Talk about frustrating. This is a story begging for a second part.
I did learn that unfortunately it is out of print and hard to locate. I lucked out because I went to a used bookstore with my youngest son, whom I can’t wait to have him read this book.
April 23, 2015
This was a wonderful book! The characterizations were interesting and complex. Rank really brought the forest to life and made you feel like you were THERE. I wish this book was still in print and received more attention.
November 19, 2015
I read this book in elementary school. My mom picked it up from the library for me after I started to really get into "Harry Potter." I loved this book and am still disappointed that there is no sequel!
July 31, 2010
Another one I wished had a sequel.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews