Jutuvestja

by Edward Myers

Ükskord ennemuistsel ajal elas poiss, kelle nimi oli Jack. See Jack polnud aga kangelane, vaid jutuvestja, seitsmeteistkümneaastane talupoiss, kes läheb kuningalinna õnne otsima. Teel on tal palju ohtlikke seiklusi. Ta kohtab näiteks rääkivat lindu, ühesilmalist röövlit, mustkunstnikku ja nukrat printsessi. Kõigil neil on jutustada oma lugu ning neist põimitakse kokku kirev jutukangas, mille kaudu autor vaatab, milline vägi on neil lugudel, mida me kõik jutustame.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Middle Grade, Teen, Fairy Tales, Adventure

340 pages, Paperback

First published July 21, 2008

Reviews

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really loved parts of this book, but there were a few passages which drove me crazy. Much of the story was clever fantasy, but a few parts were heavy-handed moralizing. There is a framing story which initially serves to get the reader into the tone of the story, but later often distracts, and by the end has become a bit annoying.
The basic premise is that a young man has told stories his entire life, and that he is quite good at it. So, at the point in all good stories where a young man goes out to make his way in the world, our hero goes off to become a wandering storyteller. This leads to adventures both magical and mundane, with lots of twists and turns. That's the good part.
The bad part is the way in which the reader is repeatedly reminded to make the correct moral choices in life, no matter the apparent cost. All well and good, but in fact, the hero's "bad" choice is initially supported by one of his companions, who later changes her mind. When you're not in a position of power, the idea of fighting evil via subterfuge and subversion does seem a lot better than openly fighting and dying, but maybe that's just me...
Also, a couple of things are never quite explained, including one character's very powerful magic, seemingly out of context in the story. The explanation that "he only makes you think he's powerful" doesn't explain the very real effects of his magic at several points in the story.

[Jenne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very disappointed with this tale. It had a lot of potential which I felt the author squandered. Having said that the book did have a couple of redeeming features (otherwise I would never have finished it).

The book begins with a child begging their grandfather for a story, but not just any story, one that doesn't begin with "once upon a time and one they have never heard before". The author puts in little dialogues between these two as the story progresses as reminders that we the readers are eavesdropping on another's tale. Which to my thinking is an excellent way to keep the reader invested in the tale and can easily add foreshadowing elements.

What I didn't like was how flat the characters were. Jack, the hero of the story, is the only rounded character, but he isn't very likeable. Jack wins the old King over with his ability to tell the stories the king "needs" to hear even when it wasn't what he'd planned to say, but when it comes to the new King this ability suddenly is gone. Just when we start to get to see more dimensions of Princess Stelinda, she leaves and her rhyming couplets just got annoying after awhile. None of the other characters had much substance, although Celestina and Garth had so much potential.

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storyteller by Edward Myers is an incredibly detailed book about a humble farm boy, Jack. Jack realizes that he has the marvelous ability to tell stories. He is venturing through the woods one day when he stumbles across the Woman in the Woods. She is a legendary person that has many rumors and scary threats shrouding the true, peaceful nature of this past Queen of Sundar, the kingdom that Jack and every other person lives in. When Jack stumbles upon her cottage, which on page 10, he describes it as looking "...nothing so much as an upside-down birds nest." She teaches Jack about how to use his storytelling to the best of his ability and how to use his storytelling to manipulate his audience's emotions to what he wants them to feel. He then ventures to the royal city of Callitti where he gets captured by the guardsmen, employed by the king and falls in love with the princess, Stelinda. Only one thing stands in his way. Prince Yoss, Stelinda's youngest brother. Read the book to find out how jack stumbles through many a mystery and adventure to free the kingdom and marry his true love, Stelinda.

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tale of Jack, a poor peasant, with a gift for storytelling that leads him to the royal city and so on. I kept thinking this would make a great movie yet I couldn't fully embrace the characters. I felt they were just out of arms reach, as if I were a bystander rather than fully immersed. The dialogue bothered me in many places; I felt sometimes it was too choppy and parts seemed hastily written. Overall, I would really give it 3.5 stars.

[Buzzkill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very cute tale of a boy who loved telling stories.
It had its moments of frustration, where the main character lost their way. But that's what makes a good story.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really glad I read this book. As the storyteller in the book would agree, a good story tells a great tale, but also makes you think. This is a tale of Jack, an ordinary boy, who cannot stop telling stories. He gently eases the burden of his family and others with the tales. Eventually, he strikes out to seek his fortune in the capitol city. He learns a lot about being true to himself and the importance of honoring promises and friendships. This is a gentle read--not a thriller or a page turner, but it was thoroughly enjoyable. It made me think about my own choices and the story I weave of my own life.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Storyteller engages deeply from the start, and keeps the reader wanting to know what happens next! The way it begins and ends, with a grandpa telling his grandchild a tale, reminds me of The Princess Bride. I love the author's instruction that one's life is analogous to a well-developed, well-told story, and we should all boldly forge our identities through the detailed (and not always understood) plots we weave. Recommended for grades 6-8, and for all readers who love classics.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-crafted novel in the lighter vein. Despite the title, the book isn't really about story but a sort of hero's journey which turns on friendship and honor. In the end it's a bit spoiled for this libertarian by uncritical acceptance of the royalty myth.

[Joant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just what I like to read.

[Juny · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was okay. 2.5 stars. It was very blunt and his stories had no subtlety whatsoever about them. They say the characters are clever but they aren't. They are all rather dumb. Jack tells a story that is really just about what is happening or happened to another character, changes 1-2 letters in their names and then the characters listening ask: "What a strange story! What does it mean though?"

One thing I did enjoy about this book is that it moved very quickly which made up partially for the very blunt writing. I also liked how everything tied up at the end, even though it was very predictable. And it's about storyteller and who doesn't like stories? Even obvious stories that got meta, stories within stories (though that aspect was intrigueing).
Also, the writer was also obviously a fan of Princess Bride ;)

[Isabel Bryan [the Bookmark Hoarder] · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give it 3.5 stars. Recommended (for best enjoyment) for ages 8-12, older readers will likely not enjoy it as much. I remembered parts of it from reading it when I was around 11; I am in college now and definitely did not enjoy it as much as I did the first time. The story itself was good overall, but the writing was not the best middle grades I've read (so you know, I still enjoy some middle grades- this is one of those I definitely feel too old for). The frame story bothered me- I didn't like the interruptions of Jack's experiences with narrator's comments. It would have stood on its own without the frame, much of the content in the frame could have been incorporated in the story. It was worth finishing though. In spite of its flaws.

[Victoria Rodríguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me a little of the kind of stories that I read as a child. It has that very beautiful magical vibe. I smiled the moment I finished it. The tale is about Jack, a boy who has the talent to tell stories in a very distant kingdom. Jack begins to gain fame and reaches the king's court. But, there are those who are jealous of him who will do everything possible to hamper his achievements. Jack will have to be very intelligent to be able to continue doing what he loves, which is to tell stories and win not only the king but also the kingdom.

[Alexa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought the story had a good start but after the kings death it just went downhill from there. It felt like a good old fairy tale in the beginning, but after it felt like many different ideas were smashed together to create never ended obstacles. I felt like the character Jack was ok at first but then he kept making stupid decisions and Stelinda as well we're making stupid decisions in the beginning till she changed her mind even though it was her idea in the first place. I had high hopes and gave it an honest chance but it was too much thrown in together.

[Cognatious Thunk · Rating 2 out of 5]

I vaguely remembered reading this in middle school, so I decided to read it again. If Myers had hit readers over the head with the theme that life is a story any harder, we would have had blunt force trauma. By the time I reached the end, I had fully recalled how much I had despised this book the first time through. To be fair, younger children may love this story, but I certainly did not.

[Maddelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not yet found another book that layers this unique, old, clear, and mystic style. It's one of a kind, and utterly amazing.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a wonderful read. And so timely too. The evil minded king Yoss so closely resembles the political climate of our times!!!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a great read.

[Lynnette · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were some really neat and original aspects to this story, but I think the story was random, for lack of a better word. It didn't go into depth on any one story line. It was ok.

[J.A. Sommer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read aloud for ages 11 and above. The storyteller is about a traveling minstrel. It also displays the great power of story telling.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I walked into the library to get a random book, I had no idea which to choose. Then storyteller caught my eye. I instantly wanted to try it. After reading it in only 2 days, I can easily say it was one of the best books I have ever read. It captivated all the senses as you listen as a grandfather tells his grandson a story about a storyteller whom told stories. It has everything to please readers of any type with action, mystery, and even some stories within stories within stories. The plot flows smoothly and has many interesting twists. The characters are well developed, and sensory details are powerful. When the storyteller tells a story trying to get a prince to sneeze, I almost sneezed myself.
Storyteller is about a grandfather telling his grandson a story about a storyteller. The storyteller’s name is Jack. He lives in an ordinary family with an ordinary life. But he has a talent- telling stories. One day, he goes into the woods, and meets the Witch of the Woods, who is really just a nice old lady, and she inspires him to tell more stories. When he tells a story about a treasure, everyone believes him when he’s really just telling the truth. Then the people actually find the treasure, and Garth Golden-eye, the pirate of this treasure, gets pretty angry. Jack sets out in the world to make a living for himself. He meets a sarcastic crow named Loqausto, and they become companions. Loquasto tells the sad story of his love, whom is a fish, and how they can never be together. They journey to the great city of the realm. The king finds out Jack is a storyteller, and he commands him to tell a story to make Prince Yoss SNEEZE to get a ruby out of his nose. He succeeds, somehow, and the King commissions him as the Royal Storyteller. However, the King is extremely depressed, as his wife has died. The kingdom is dying, and Jack has to cheer him up. He meets Zephyrio, a illusionist who seems to be magical, and the princess, whom he falls in love with. Jack enrages Loquasto, who leaves. Then, Yoss becomes king by poisoning the king right when Jack is engaged to the princess. Yoss immediately stops the wedding, and prepares to execute Jack. He is saved by the princess’ love, though, and Yoss spares him. Jack and the princess then tour the world, working for Yoss and also trying to bring his reign down. Garth Golden-eye, returning, attacks the Royal cart of Yoss, Jack, the princess, and Zephyrio. The princess leaves Yoss to battle with Garth. Jack stays to try and help, but this only makes everyone distrust him. He tries to go back with Garth, but they are attacked and everyone is captured. In the cell, Jack, the princess, Garth, and the Witch of the Woods, whom was also captured, become friends again as Jack confesses. They are sentenced to death. When Lozak comes, they learn he was the one that revealed them. But when they are to be hung, Loquasto steps forth and calls to the people to choose- Jack and his stories of the world without king Yoss and Zephyrio with his fake illusions of king Yoss. The people choose Jack, and they are set free, Yoss the king no more. The Witch of the Woods becomes Queen and Jack and the Princess live a simple life in a hut. Lozak reunites with his fish queen, finally living with her. Then, the grandfather telling the story has his name revealed. “Is this a true story, Grandpa Jack?”
Storyteller was an interesting fantasy book I enjoyed a lot. It had action, illusions, and lots and lots of stories. The plot runs smoothly and twists in places you’d never expect. It was one of the best books I have ever read. I recommend it highly to anyone looking at it.

[Sharla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Storyteller by Edward Meyers is a medieval fantasy for middle-grade readers and beyond. It tells the story of a storyteller (very meta, is it not?). The book explores the value of entertainment versus truth, and telling people what they need to hear versus what they want to hear. Above all, it is simply a story about the art of storytelling itself, very simple and timeless in a way. I had read Inkheart when I was younger, which in some ways is similar. Both books are focused on the art of storytelling, and how the act of telling a story can in some ways make it true. However, I felt this book was more focused and did a better job than Inkheart. It’s only one book, but it explored the idea more fully using fewer characters, descriptions and books than Inkheart did.

Summary
A farm boy tells stories that start to become true after the telling. His desire to tell stories grows, so he sets off to seek his fortune in the royal city. When he does he encounters a snarky bird who won’st stop talking, a princess who speakes in rhyme, a king burdened with grief, and illusionist with a flair for style, and an impossibly bratty prince. He makes it his mission to use his stories to heal the kingdom, yet despite his good intentions, in so doing ends up hurting it more than helping it.

Pros
I love how focused this story is. By keeping a very narrow scope, it lets the characters and plot shine. The story wasn’t sparse in details, but every description was well chosen and thus didn’t overburden the story like in many medieval fantasies. Instead, the focus was on the conflict between the characters; I appreciated this. The writing style reminded me a bit of the Prydain Chronicles.

The pacing is spot on, with a nice combination of action, dialogue, and character building. New characters are introduced and plot twists develop at a steady pace. It never felt rushed nor too slow. Like any good adventure story, I felt like I was in a stream that was rushing ahead towards some unknown destination. Everything felt purposeful even when the pace slowed a bit, I always felt like the story was building.

The characters are fun and interesting. None of the characters were necessarily groundbreaking, but the story had a very consistent and offbeat feel. Each of the characters had some unique trait the made them stand out and provided a contrast to the other characters. There is an illusionist who is very flashy and focused on bending people’s perceptions. Then you have the main character Jack, who is very straightforward and naive in some ways. You also have a princess who is very solemn, a rarity since in many books the princess is either headstrong and lighthearted or angry and brooding, so that stood out to me.

The story feels very classic, like a Robinhood tale or something that’s existed for a long time. It has a sort of timelessness to how it is written.

The author’s love of the arts really shines through. The joy of creating something new, be it a story, a poem, a song, or a spectacle is a main theme of this book. Throughout it, the characters are always in pursuit of their passion and developing that more fully.

Cons
It wasn’t clear why the court was swayed to follow the antagonist. Because of this I felt a bit disconnected and disappointed in the main characters. They said there was nothing they could do, but as a reader, I felt that there were multiple options they hadn’t explored yet.

The writing is very blunt and point blank. The writing style isn't the best.

You can read more reviews of books I like at my blog: https://honestavocado.wordpress.com/

[Tessa McMillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack is a farm boy gifted with telling stories. At seventeen Jack leaves home to seek his fortune as a storyteller in the royal city. Jack’s luck helps him to become the king's royal storyteller. But Jack’s life takes a shocking blow when the king unexpectedly dies and his spoiled son, Prince Yoss, takes the throne. Once on the throne, King Yoss and his right-hand man, illusionist Zephyrio, attempt to brain-wash the kingdom into thinking that Yoss will make all his subjects' hardships disappear. Jack, his talking bird, Loquasto, and the king’s sister, Princess Stelinda, must work together to stop Yoss and Zephyrio’s evil plans.

Myers weaves a beautifully complex tale with Storyteller. In many ways, Myers work is reminiscent of such YA fantasy authors like Avi, Lloyd Alexander, Susan Cooper, and Shannon Hale. Storyteller has all the right ingredients for a successful fantasy: heart-pounding adventure, witty humor, blooming romance, and mesmerizing magic. Yet there is great depth to the story as Jack struggles through his hardships to save both the kingdom and girl he loves. A satisfying read for ages twelve and up looking for a stand-alone story.

(Found on Children's Compass Chronicle: http://childrenscompasschronicle.blog...)

[Ethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Storyteller" by Edward Myers is a story all about Jack. This Jack is a story teller from the small village of Yorrow, where food is scarce and rest scarcer. Every day is the same. Its all farm work. Jack, as he grows older, want's to venture the world, make his living telling stories in the royal city. But when treachery, sorrow, and even more hardship covers the land it seems even harder to stay alive, much less prosper. With his one love, they must try to save themselves, and rescue the land from... a child? Will Jack and his love be free to live happily? Will they rescue the world? Will they even live to tell their tale? This book has stories within stories within stories. "Sometimes a plot twists in ways that startle even the storyteller," (Pg 126) says the narrator, a grandfather telling a story to his grandchild. That certainly describes this book in a nutshell. I would recommend this wonderful story to someone looking for a little fun, a little magic, and a good time all around (Most ages over 7 I would say). I would put this on my top 20 shelf for sure.

[Bobby B · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Storyteller by Edward Myers is a great book about a boy named Jack. He is from the poor district of the country, he spends his days harvesting the fields like everyone else but he has a gift, storytelling. When Jack turns 19 and becomes an adult he decides to go to the royal city of Catti were he hopes to become the royal storyteller. When he goes into the royal palace he sees a little boy choking on something so Jack goes and does the heimlich maneuver. What Jack did not know is that the little boy is Yoss the prince. The king thanks Jack and in return Jack will become the royal storyteller. “Thank you so much for saving my son’s life how will I repay you.”(pg.48) But things go terribly wrong when he tells a story that insults the king. Jack is punished severely and locked in the dungeon forever. Will Jack survive? How will he make it up to the king? To find out read a great young adult book The Storyteller by Edward Myers. Overall it was good

[Alexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story grabbed me from the beginning! I loved the prose, the way it truly sounded like someone was telling you a story, and the descriptions were just lovely.
I really cared about the characters, too, though Jack was kind of impulsive. He's the same sort of character as most "humble" knights in these sorts of stories, but he's slightly less brave and he's a storyteller, which makes him a completely different, but remarkably relateable, hero.
Though engrossing, exciting, and original, Storyteller doesn't leave you with a crazy feeling like you just stepped off a roller coaster. Instead, when I finished the book, I felt nice, peaceful, satisfied, kinda like I would if, for once, I didn't over-stuff myself at Thanksgiving Dinner. In short, Mr. Myers did a brilliant job weaving the various stories together in a soft, beautiful, intricate way.

[Liaken · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first half of this book. It offered a fresh view of storytelling and its uses. But (spoilers) once our hero Jack decided he was in love with the Princess and the King abruptly died, the story fell hard into its own plot holes and I found I couldn't suspend my disbelief any further. (Further spoilers:) The story didn't convince me that Yoss truly could have been declared King, or that the kingdom wouldn't be taken while Yoss went about to force his subjects to love him, or that Jack would have been such a top priority, etc. The tale had lost its focus and forgot what it was doing. I grew increasingly frustrated with Jack and the other characters, wanting a tale that really explored the power of stories rather than just mired the protagonist and then resolved things far too quickly.

[Emily Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, I really did. It was really original and everything, but there was just something missing. There was no emotional attachment really. The only way I can explain it, is that it seems like it was written to be read aloud. This is the first book I've read that I think would be better as an audiobook.
It was fairly predictable at first, but did get more mysterious as it went on. There were some things left unexplained at the end (particularly about a character named Zephyrio), but not annoyingly so.
The whole 'grandfather telling grandson story' was entirely too reminiscent of Princess Bride. That annoyed me more than anything.
But the story itself... I kind of liked it. It was different. But I would reccommend it for a bit younger audiences.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack, a storyteller, leaves his village to seek his fortune telling stories, and ends up captive in the court of a most unfair king. He then falls in love with the princess, who is also unhappy, and when her greedy and evil younger brother takes the throne from her, he is forced to travel the countryside telling stories that makes the king seem like a wonderful person, when actually he is not! Finally Jack makes a decision to stand on the right side and helps the princess and an outlaw overthrow the bad young king. I did get caught up in this story, although at first I thought I wouldn't like it much. It's definitely for younger teens.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A poor farm boy with the talent of telling stories leaves his village to seek his fortune in the royal city. So gifted at telling stories, Jack finds himself in the King's Court, but it isn't everything he dreamed it would be. A tale woven with stories within stories that might leave your head spinning.

I found Edward Myers's tale was very slow to start, but once the adventure picked up halfway through I thought it got better. I did enjoy the style of writing, but I was sort of bored at the beginning. This story has star crossed lovers, but it isn't so mushy that boys wouldn't pick it up. I'm not sure any student would pick it up without a good book talk though.

[Elissa Hoole · Rating 2 out of 5]

From the very beginning, this book grated on my nerves. Whether it was the incessant story-within-a-story device or the unrelenting allegory...or maybe it was the page and a half of explicated theme that ends the book, I felt like the whole time the author was telling me a story--winking at me about how clever he was in the telling of it. And I can see how a different reader might enjoy this type of storytelling, but I prefer more subtlety, I guess. I'm just glad I finally made it to The End.