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Redwall #17
Rakkety Tam
The Redwall series is soon to be a Netflix original movie!
The bestselling Redwall saga continues in Rakkety Tam .
There has never been a Redwall hero quite like Rakkety Tam, the roguish Highlander squirrel who sets off for Mossflower Wood on a mercenary errand and loses his heart to the charms of Redwall Abbey. And there's never been a villain quite like Gulo the a vicious beast-eating wolverine who descends upon the Abbey in search of a relic called the Walking Stone. Readers will cheer at the return of the Long Patrol, the antics of a renegade vole thief, and the emergence of a new champion to wield the sword of Martin.
Perfect for fans of T. A. Barron’s Merlin saga, John Flanagan’s Ranger’s Apprentice series, and J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings series.
The bestselling Redwall saga continues in Rakkety Tam .
There has never been a Redwall hero quite like Rakkety Tam, the roguish Highlander squirrel who sets off for Mossflower Wood on a mercenary errand and loses his heart to the charms of Redwall Abbey. And there's never been a villain quite like Gulo the a vicious beast-eating wolverine who descends upon the Abbey in search of a relic called the Walking Stone. Readers will cheer at the return of the Long Patrol, the antics of a renegade vole thief, and the emergence of a new champion to wield the sword of Martin.
Perfect for fans of T. A. Barron’s Merlin saga, John Flanagan’s Ranger’s Apprentice series, and J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings series.
372 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
135 people are currently reading
6967 people want to read
About the author
Brian Jacques
257 books4,273 followers Brian Jacques (pronounced 'jakes') was born in Liverpool, England on June 15th, 1939. Along with forty percent of the population of Liverpool, his ancestral roots are in Ireland, County Cork to be exact.
Brian grew up in the area around the Liverpool docks, where he attended St. John's School, an inner city school featuring a playground on its roof. At the age of ten, his very first day at St. John's foreshadowed his future career as an author; given an assignment to write a story about animals, he wrote a short story about a bird who cleaned a crocodile's teeth. Brian's teacher could not, and would not believe that a ten year old could write so well. When young Brian refused to falsely say that he had copied the story, he was caned as "a liar". He had always loved to write, but it was only then that he realized he had a talent for it.
He wrote Redwall for the children at the Royal Wavertree School for the Blind in Liverpool, where as a truck driver, he delivered milk. Because of the nature of his first audience, he made his style of writing as descriptive as possible, painting pictures with words so that the schoolchildren could see them in their imaginations. He remained a patron of the school until his death.
Brian lived in Liverpool, where his two grown sons, Marc, a carpenter and bricklayer, and David, a professor of Art and a muralist, still reside. David Jacques' work can be seen in Children's hospitals, soccer stadiums, and trade union offices as far away as Germany, Mexico, and Chile (not to mention Brian's photo featured in most of his books).
Brian also ran a weekly radio show on BBC Radio Merseyside, until October 2006, where he shared his comedy and wit, and played his favourites from the world of opera - he was a veritable expert on The Three Tenors.
When he was wasn't writing, Brian enjoyed walking his dog 'Teddy', a white West Highland Terrier, and completing crossword puzzles. When he found time he read the works of Mario Puzo, Damon Runyon, Richard Condon, Larry McMurty, and P.G. Wodehouse. He was also known to cook an impressive version of his favourite dish, spaghetti and meatballs.
Sadly, Brian passed away on the 5th February 2011.
Brian grew up in the area around the Liverpool docks, where he attended St. John's School, an inner city school featuring a playground on its roof. At the age of ten, his very first day at St. John's foreshadowed his future career as an author; given an assignment to write a story about animals, he wrote a short story about a bird who cleaned a crocodile's teeth. Brian's teacher could not, and would not believe that a ten year old could write so well. When young Brian refused to falsely say that he had copied the story, he was caned as "a liar". He had always loved to write, but it was only then that he realized he had a talent for it.
He wrote Redwall for the children at the Royal Wavertree School for the Blind in Liverpool, where as a truck driver, he delivered milk. Because of the nature of his first audience, he made his style of writing as descriptive as possible, painting pictures with words so that the schoolchildren could see them in their imaginations. He remained a patron of the school until his death.
Brian lived in Liverpool, where his two grown sons, Marc, a carpenter and bricklayer, and David, a professor of Art and a muralist, still reside. David Jacques' work can be seen in Children's hospitals, soccer stadiums, and trade union offices as far away as Germany, Mexico, and Chile (not to mention Brian's photo featured in most of his books).
Brian also ran a weekly radio show on BBC Radio Merseyside, until October 2006, where he shared his comedy and wit, and played his favourites from the world of opera - he was a veritable expert on The Three Tenors.
When he was wasn't writing, Brian enjoyed walking his dog 'Teddy', a white West Highland Terrier, and completing crossword puzzles. When he found time he read the works of Mario Puzo, Damon Runyon, Richard Condon, Larry McMurty, and P.G. Wodehouse. He was also known to cook an impressive version of his favourite dish, spaghetti and meatballs.
Sadly, Brian passed away on the 5th February 2011.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 236 reviews
February 12, 2018
I freaking loved these books as a kid. I read every single one of them multiple times and stayed up to date with the series until I graduated high school. Then for some reason, even though 5 more books were published in the series, I felt myself reluctant to pick them up. What if I didn’t like them as much? What if I was too old for Redwall?? What if the characters referenced a character I didn’t remember because it has been so long and I had to go back and reread them all to get the full experience??? Well, thankfully I finally decided to stop freaking out about all the things and took the plunge into my first Redwall book in 13 years: Rakkety Tam.
And you know what? I LOVED it. The storytelling was every bit as special as it was when I was a kid and my biggest takeaway was a newfound admiration for an author who produced 20+ books in a series and still took the same care to create amazing characters, fun situations, and compelling quests in book 16 as he did with book 1. You can truly see how much passion Jacques had for his stories (and how much creativity!).
Rakkety Tam offered a dashing hero, sufficiently wicked foebeasts, brilliant acts of courage, and a good lesson against greed and avarice. I especially liked the many scuffles and battles throughout and was actively cheering for the good guys by the end. And the bird!! This is the first book I can remember where a bird has a role in the story. They’re super funny in their mannerisms and I think I like them almost as much as the moles. Overall, this was a nice addition to the series.
I tried something new with this book: I listened to the audio while following along in the book. Normally I would’ve just breezed through the audio, but I felt the need to really take my time with this series. And after a few chapters, I decided to try both. I admit the decision wasn’t made totally out of nostalgia. The audiobooks contains a full cast of actors for the characters, with Jacques himself reading the narration. People, I couldn’t understand a freaking word he was saying at first (imagine Sean Connery reading to you… without enunciation). I’m used to his dialect now, but I would’ve missed so much had I not changed what I was doing.
It worked out though, because while listening I discovered how much unbridled FUN it was listening to a cast of voices, especially when they start singing the adorable songs & ditties Jacques loved to include throughout his books. It turned the entire story into an experience, and one I’m beyond happy to have had. Overall, I love that I’m finally continuing, and that I’m having as much fun (if not more) than I did as a kid.
Recommendations: these books aren’t like Watership Down or the Fire Bringer where the reader is thrust into the unassuming lives of woodland creatures (snore), but robust, well-spun adventures where the heroes brandish swords and the villains come for blood! It’s brilliant because it has everything you’d expect from a adult fantasy novel, but it’s use of mice, otters, etc. make it accessible to kids. It’s a series with so much fun and adventure that I’d recommend it highly to any middle grade kid looking to discover books she/he could love.
Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.NikiHawkes.com
And you know what? I LOVED it. The storytelling was every bit as special as it was when I was a kid and my biggest takeaway was a newfound admiration for an author who produced 20+ books in a series and still took the same care to create amazing characters, fun situations, and compelling quests in book 16 as he did with book 1. You can truly see how much passion Jacques had for his stories (and how much creativity!).
Rakkety Tam offered a dashing hero, sufficiently wicked foebeasts, brilliant acts of courage, and a good lesson against greed and avarice. I especially liked the many scuffles and battles throughout and was actively cheering for the good guys by the end. And the bird!! This is the first book I can remember where a bird has a role in the story. They’re super funny in their mannerisms and I think I like them almost as much as the moles. Overall, this was a nice addition to the series.
I tried something new with this book: I listened to the audio while following along in the book. Normally I would’ve just breezed through the audio, but I felt the need to really take my time with this series. And after a few chapters, I decided to try both. I admit the decision wasn’t made totally out of nostalgia. The audiobooks contains a full cast of actors for the characters, with Jacques himself reading the narration. People, I couldn’t understand a freaking word he was saying at first (imagine Sean Connery reading to you… without enunciation). I’m used to his dialect now, but I would’ve missed so much had I not changed what I was doing.
It worked out though, because while listening I discovered how much unbridled FUN it was listening to a cast of voices, especially when they start singing the adorable songs & ditties Jacques loved to include throughout his books. It turned the entire story into an experience, and one I’m beyond happy to have had. Overall, I love that I’m finally continuing, and that I’m having as much fun (if not more) than I did as a kid.
Recommendations: these books aren’t like Watership Down or the Fire Bringer where the reader is thrust into the unassuming lives of woodland creatures (snore), but robust, well-spun adventures where the heroes brandish swords and the villains come for blood! It’s brilliant because it has everything you’d expect from a adult fantasy novel, but it’s use of mice, otters, etc. make it accessible to kids. It’s a series with so much fun and adventure that I’d recommend it highly to any middle grade kid looking to discover books she/he could love.
Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.NikiHawkes.com
March 27, 2011
There is one thing you need to know about my relationship with this series:
Redwall NEVER gets old.
EVER.
I don't care how many times I've read the descriptions of feasts and battles and Mossflower and Dibbuns. I don't. Redwall will always have a special place in my heart, and on my shelf. The novels go next to the two picture books and the cookbook and the Map and Riddler and all the different tribe guides and someday, dammit, I'm going to buy that abbey model.
If I ever have children, I am raising them on stories of talking woodland creatures.
That is all.
Redwall NEVER gets old.
EVER.
I don't care how many times I've read the descriptions of feasts and battles and Mossflower and Dibbuns. I don't. Redwall will always have a special place in my heart, and on my shelf. The novels go next to the two picture books and the cookbook and the Map and Riddler and all the different tribe guides and someday, dammit, I'm going to buy that abbey model.
If I ever have children, I am raising them on stories of talking woodland creatures.
That is all.
July 9, 2018
This was very excellent. The plot was grand and mayhap the dialects and accents were grander.
November 6, 2023
Absolutely in love with this book now. Definitely one of my top five Redwalls. Redwall, but adding Scottish squirrels? Yes, please! Plus Tam is a total charmer. (And he reminded me a lot of my own Angus McCladden from my upcoming book, so win-win).
The only thing that I didn't like... I also would have liked to see more of the goshawk. He seemed to sorta disappear by book three, and I wished he could have had more page time than just in the beginning. But those are minor complaints. This book is a treasure.
The only thing that I didn't like... I also would have liked to see more of the goshawk. He seemed to sorta disappear by book three, and I wished he could have had more page time than just in the beginning. But those are minor complaints. This book is a treasure.
September 9, 2008
This is one of my favorite Redwall books in a while, probably since The Bellmaker, at least. It is more like the earlier books than those that were published more recently, and a few parts were rather surprising for Jacques' supposedly juvenile audience. Still, there were many wonderful characters, and some delightful new accents. A great tale!
July 1, 2018
My kingdom for half-stars, which would make tracking my feelings about this nostalgia re-read a lot easier - not all 3*s are alike here. Anyway, this one's a solid entry in the later Redwall books and also the most graphic: cannibalism! Shame about the villain here; Gulo the Savage is too stupid to be really frightening. With his size, I thought for sure we were going to get a wolverine vs. badger throwdown, but the Badger Lady in this book does jack. She appears twice and not at all in any warrior capacity. Where oh where is a worthy successor to Lady Cregga?!
Animals in the Redwall universe are omnivorous, but with few exceptions, they don't cross classes—everyone eats the unfortunate fish, vermin eat birds, but mammals do not generally eat other mammals—and except for the Fierce Cop Birds, talking animals don't tend to chow down on other talking animals. These are not books to ponder the implications of the actual diets of real-world weasels and badgers. And for all that you can depend on at least two or three Tragic Deaths of named characters, the deaths aren't all that graphic. So it was doubly shocking to read about the hares being RIPPED APART AND DEVOURED UNTIL ONLY THEIR HEADS WERE LEFT FOR THEIR FRIENDS TO STUMBLE ACROSS OH MY GOD BRIAN JACQUES WERE YOU OKAY WHEN YOU WROTE THIS
Decapitation happens a lot in this book, now that I think about it. Those swords must be really sharp. Even Martin the Warrior joins in on the, uh, fun from beyond the grave: it's his advice, after all, that leads Tam to sharpen his shield and therefore set things up to CUT GULO'S HEAD FROM HIS BODY OH MY GOD BRIAN JACQUES WHY!!!
I am 90% writing this review so I can make a joke about this book being Squirrel Outlander (Scottish warrior squirrel meets beautiful healer squirrel, they get whumped a lot on their journey to get married and have a baby who is interested in ~history, this is indeed the darkest timeline and the Worst Crossover Ever, you're welcome). Mission accomplished, wot wot.
Animals in the Redwall universe are omnivorous, but with few exceptions, they don't cross classes—everyone eats the unfortunate fish, vermin eat birds, but mammals do not generally eat other mammals—and except for the Fierce Cop Birds, talking animals don't tend to chow down on other talking animals. These are not books to ponder the implications of the actual diets of real-world weasels and badgers. And for all that you can depend on at least two or three Tragic Deaths of named characters, the deaths aren't all that graphic. So it was doubly shocking to read about the hares being RIPPED APART AND DEVOURED UNTIL ONLY THEIR HEADS WERE LEFT FOR THEIR FRIENDS TO STUMBLE ACROSS OH MY GOD BRIAN JACQUES WERE YOU OKAY WHEN YOU WROTE THIS
Decapitation happens a lot in this book, now that I think about it. Those swords must be really sharp. Even Martin the Warrior joins in on the, uh, fun from beyond the grave: it's his advice, after all, that leads Tam to sharpen his shield and therefore set things up to CUT GULO'S HEAD FROM HIS BODY OH MY GOD BRIAN JACQUES WHY!!!
I am 90% writing this review so I can make a joke about this book being Squirrel Outlander (Scottish warrior squirrel meets beautiful healer squirrel, they get whumped a lot on their journey to get married and have a baby who is interested in ~history, this is indeed the darkest timeline and the Worst Crossover Ever, you're welcome). Mission accomplished, wot wot.
February 11, 2012
Brian Jacques does Walter Scott - ie. a medieval tale of mad, warrior Scot[tish squirrel]s, fighting for their simple, traditional way of life against the seemingly inconquerable English [wolverine and his] army. I found this one of the more gripping Redwall tales.
August 14, 2023
scottish squirrels in kilts (with claymores) fighting a cannibal wolverine who eats children. brian jacques' imagination is like unto a furnace from which the gods create new life.
October 5, 2021
#17 in the series - on the home stretch for reading this series, a favorite of my kids when they were young.
May 19, 2024
"All the best plans are a bit risky..."
Gulo the Savage, ruler of his homeland in the hard and cold North, is searching for a relic known as the Walking Stone, which has been stolen by his brother Askor. The titular character Rakkety Tam and his best friend Wild Doogy Plum are given the task of bringing the stolen royal banner home to the King and Queen in exchange for their freedom. Meanwhile in Redwall Abbey, Sister Armel has had a vision of long dead Martin the Warrior, who tells her to take his sword and deliver it to Tam, who in turn vows to protect the Abbey from those who would threaten it.
When I was young, I thought the Novels of Redwall were some of the best advanced-reader children's novels on the market. They have all the hallmarks of a good children's novel. Always including poetry, songs and riddles, Brian Jacques was the master of rhyme. The characters are all talking animals, stereotypically cast again and again in predictable roles: we know mice, squirrels, and hares are likely heroes, while rats, foxes, and weasels are likely villains.
Even though the stories jump between characters, the books are generally easy to follow. There's always a quest involved, characters setting out on an adventure for various reasons. Set seemingly in medieval times, with swords and slings as weapons, the adventures can be best described as swashbuckling romps through the woods. Whether they're searching for justice or each other, each quest ultimately ends in an epic battle between good and evil.
As with most fantasy, the attention to detail is everything. The world building is great. Each book opens with a map of the location where the quest is taking place so we can follow the characters journey. And as our characters journey, no stone, stream, thicket or swamp, is left undescribed, nor are the creatures that live in such places left unimagined. Each species is given their own accents, making a story of talking animals richer, providing them with not just a voice, but a culture. And Brian Jacques must have been a foodie because his descriptions of the meals that the creatures are eating, are pawsitively decadent.
The one thing I notice as an adult, that I didn't notice as a kid, was how graphically violent these books can be, which is probably why they're market toward young adult readers instead of being advertised as straight up children's lit. But aside from the violence and maybe the length of the novels, I see no real reason why kids wouldn't or shouldn't read them. As with all things, the responsibility lies with the parent to decide whether or not their child is mature enough to handle squirrels and foxes killing each other with swords and spears... And when I put it that way, it sounds quite silly.
Rakkety Tam follows the same archetype as the rest of the books in the series, but with the epic battle being replaced by a duel. And despite the model it's based on, it reads like its own original story, as most in the series do.
I quite liked this installment in the series and am awarding it its five stars.
Gulo the Savage, ruler of his homeland in the hard and cold North, is searching for a relic known as the Walking Stone, which has been stolen by his brother Askor. The titular character Rakkety Tam and his best friend Wild Doogy Plum are given the task of bringing the stolen royal banner home to the King and Queen in exchange for their freedom. Meanwhile in Redwall Abbey, Sister Armel has had a vision of long dead Martin the Warrior, who tells her to take his sword and deliver it to Tam, who in turn vows to protect the Abbey from those who would threaten it.
When I was young, I thought the Novels of Redwall were some of the best advanced-reader children's novels on the market. They have all the hallmarks of a good children's novel. Always including poetry, songs and riddles, Brian Jacques was the master of rhyme. The characters are all talking animals, stereotypically cast again and again in predictable roles: we know mice, squirrels, and hares are likely heroes, while rats, foxes, and weasels are likely villains.
Even though the stories jump between characters, the books are generally easy to follow. There's always a quest involved, characters setting out on an adventure for various reasons. Set seemingly in medieval times, with swords and slings as weapons, the adventures can be best described as swashbuckling romps through the woods. Whether they're searching for justice or each other, each quest ultimately ends in an epic battle between good and evil.
As with most fantasy, the attention to detail is everything. The world building is great. Each book opens with a map of the location where the quest is taking place so we can follow the characters journey. And as our characters journey, no stone, stream, thicket or swamp, is left undescribed, nor are the creatures that live in such places left unimagined. Each species is given their own accents, making a story of talking animals richer, providing them with not just a voice, but a culture. And Brian Jacques must have been a foodie because his descriptions of the meals that the creatures are eating, are pawsitively decadent.
The one thing I notice as an adult, that I didn't notice as a kid, was how graphically violent these books can be, which is probably why they're market toward young adult readers instead of being advertised as straight up children's lit. But aside from the violence and maybe the length of the novels, I see no real reason why kids wouldn't or shouldn't read them. As with all things, the responsibility lies with the parent to decide whether or not their child is mature enough to handle squirrels and foxes killing each other with swords and spears... And when I put it that way, it sounds quite silly.
Rakkety Tam follows the same archetype as the rest of the books in the series, but with the epic battle being replaced by a duel. And despite the model it's based on, it reads like its own original story, as most in the series do.
I quite liked this installment in the series and am awarding it its five stars.
October 12, 2024
Tokoh utamanya tupai (lagi)! (✧ω✧) Dua prajurit tupai dari utara yang mengembara dan 'salah pilih' dalam memilih raja, yang membuat mereka harus menunaikan tugas khusus dari sang raja demi bisa 'pindah kewarganegaraan' (o´▽`o) Tugas berat yang mengharuskan mereka berhadapan dengan makhluk buas pemangsa, yang tega menghabisi* musuh-musuhnya (*dibaca: mengalahkan dan memakan).
Dibanding judul-judul lain dari seri ini yang sudah dibaca, yang ini terasa agak beda dalam hal alur ceritanya yang 'lurus' dan terpusat. Soalnya selama ini kisah-kisahnya seperti ada beberapa tokoh utama yang saling bertautan jalan nasibnya, tapi di sini tokoh utamanya terpusat pada Rakkety Tam saja. Juga ada beberapa kesalahan(?) seperti Untunglah bukan kesalahan fatal, jadi bisa ikhlas menerima apa adanya ^^ karena sudah keseret dengan keseruan pertempurannya.
Lumayan kesel dengan tokoh Yoofus si pencuri (^_^#) Gatel banget tangannya~
Favoritku, Abbot Humble, si landak kepala biara Redwall, yang sederhana dan humble♡︎
Dibanding judul-judul lain dari seri ini yang sudah dibaca, yang ini terasa agak beda dalam hal alur ceritanya yang 'lurus' dan terpusat. Soalnya selama ini kisah-kisahnya seperti ada beberapa tokoh utama yang saling bertautan jalan nasibnya, tapi di sini tokoh utamanya terpusat pada Rakkety Tam saja. Juga ada beberapa kesalahan(?) seperti Untunglah bukan kesalahan fatal, jadi bisa ikhlas menerima apa adanya ^^ karena sudah keseret dengan keseruan pertempurannya.
Lumayan kesel dengan tokoh Yoofus si pencuri (^_^#) Gatel banget tangannya~
Favoritku, Abbot Humble, si landak kepala biara Redwall, yang sederhana dan humble♡︎
April 4, 2019
Hands down, this made it into my top 3 favourite Redwall books!! I loved it. It had every element I enjoy about this series: lots of food, songs, fighting, adventure, suspense, action, conversation, hanging landscapes, ALL the characters, even a little bit of romance. There were a few different smaller story arches within the larger storyline, but it was all just more to be devoured.
The hero is a Scottish squirrel, Rakkety Tam MacBurl of the Borderlands, with his faithful friend and fellow warrior, the Highlander Wild Doogy Plumm. Tam faces perhaps the most brutal villain to come to the area since Tsarmina (Mossflower), in the form of Gulo the Savage, who sailed over from the lands of ice and snow in search of his brother, who stole from him. They crash around Mossflower for a while, along with the heroes of the story. Chaos ensues... but there’s always time for a spot of vittles!
That’s the long and short of it, but I’d recommend this to anyone who’s into this sort of thing. A+++
The hero is a Scottish squirrel, Rakkety Tam MacBurl of the Borderlands, with his faithful friend and fellow warrior, the Highlander Wild Doogy Plumm. Tam faces perhaps the most brutal villain to come to the area since Tsarmina (Mossflower), in the form of Gulo the Savage, who sailed over from the lands of ice and snow in search of his brother, who stole from him. They crash around Mossflower for a while, along with the heroes of the story. Chaos ensues... but there’s always time for a spot of vittles!
That’s the long and short of it, but I’d recommend this to anyone who’s into this sort of thing. A+++
June 8, 2020
I didn't love this one quite as much as I used to, but it's still excellent. Tam will always be one of my favorite Redwall characters. Yoofus is more annoying than I recall, which is one of the main reasons this went down a few points.
Next day edit: Don't know why I marked this 4 stars. It's still a solid 4.75 stars, even if it's not quite a full 5. Again, that .25 stars off is mostly because of Yoofus. The rest of the book? Absolutely golden. And, for clarification, when I say "I didn't love this one quite as much as I used to", that means "It is no longer the #1 book on my list of favorite Redwall," partially because Mattimeo and Pearls have risen a bit. It's still in the top ten at least, probably the top five, for reasons including the following:
-Basically-Scottish squirrels.
-Said Scottish squirrels are probably among the most capable characters in any Redwall book, not gonna lie.
-The poems that bracket the sections of the book are awesome and I love them both narratively and aesthetically.
-Tergen.
-All the hares. All of them.
-But especially Crumshaw, Wonwill, and Butty Wopscutt.
-Seriously, though;
-Also, the Long Patrol being the Long Patrol is one of my favorite things in Redwall books.
So, yeah. It's a really good Redwall book. Still one of my favorites. Just not as high on the list.
Next day edit: Don't know why I marked this 4 stars. It's still a solid 4.75 stars, even if it's not quite a full 5. Again, that .25 stars off is mostly because of Yoofus. The rest of the book? Absolutely golden. And, for clarification, when I say "I didn't love this one quite as much as I used to", that means "It is no longer the #1 book on my list of favorite Redwall," partially because Mattimeo and Pearls have risen a bit. It's still in the top ten at least, probably the top five, for reasons including the following:
-Basically-Scottish squirrels.
-Said Scottish squirrels are probably among the most capable characters in any Redwall book, not gonna lie.
-The poems that bracket the sections of the book are awesome and I love them both narratively and aesthetically.
-Tergen.
-All the hares. All of them.
-But especially Crumshaw, Wonwill, and Butty Wopscutt.
-Seriously, though;
-Also, the Long Patrol being the Long Patrol is one of my favorite things in Redwall books.
So, yeah. It's a really good Redwall book. Still one of my favorites. Just not as high on the list.
October 15, 2018
That score is a little generous. Jacques writes with so much charm and warmth. The passion shines through his prose - even in his middle tier work. This was the first time I read an entry in this series since I was a prepubescent. Nostalgia, as anyone knows, can be a double edged sword.
The major flaw here is the villain. He’s menacing but also insane which makes him consistently incompetent. The heroes almost always had the upper hand throughout. I never thought he posed much of a threat and I never felt any real peril for the characters when they interacted with him. This one aspect brought the whole story down for me.
Otherwise, it was pretty standard fare. Perhaps too many songs or is that standard as well? There is a lot of love for the characters - maybe too much love as there quite a bit of scenes where it’s just the characters exchanging stories or engaging in traditions. The plot is, at times, padded. Jacques is at his best when he cuts to different storylines between chapters. I know why I loved these books as a kid; at his best, Jacques is a master page turner novelist. He paces his plots extraordinarily well while crafting instantly likable heroes. I just wish they strayed more from the typical structure.
By the way, this is the first time I did the audiobook and while I did not care as much for the story, the production was incredible. The actors are clearly having a blast with this material and the musical accompaniment was top notch quality. Highly recommend everyone listen to a Redwall series audiobook at least once. Possibly the best full cast audiobook production I have ever heard.
May add more thoughts later.
The major flaw here is the villain. He’s menacing but also insane which makes him consistently incompetent. The heroes almost always had the upper hand throughout. I never thought he posed much of a threat and I never felt any real peril for the characters when they interacted with him. This one aspect brought the whole story down for me.
Otherwise, it was pretty standard fare. Perhaps too many songs or is that standard as well? There is a lot of love for the characters - maybe too much love as there quite a bit of scenes where it’s just the characters exchanging stories or engaging in traditions. The plot is, at times, padded. Jacques is at his best when he cuts to different storylines between chapters. I know why I loved these books as a kid; at his best, Jacques is a master page turner novelist. He paces his plots extraordinarily well while crafting instantly likable heroes. I just wish they strayed more from the typical structure.
By the way, this is the first time I did the audiobook and while I did not care as much for the story, the production was incredible. The actors are clearly having a blast with this material and the musical accompaniment was top notch quality. Highly recommend everyone listen to a Redwall series audiobook at least once. Possibly the best full cast audiobook production I have ever heard.
May add more thoughts later.
January 17, 2016
I loved it! It's been a long time since I've read a Tale of Redwall, and this is the first time reading one since Brian Jacques past away in February. It's one of my favourites that I've read. I absolutely adore the Scottish squirrels, Tam and Doogy. And the hares are as wonderful as ever. Unfortunately most of my favourite hares died.. the Brigadier and Butty what's-his-name and Dauncy. A lot more main characters died in this book than I remember from any of the other Redwall books I've read. But at least the Scottish squirrels didn't die. One of the best things about Brian Jacques's stories is that although they are all based around the same idea and general plot (an army of good beasts--mice, squirrels, moles, voles, shrews, hedghogs, hares, badgers, occasional birds--rally behind a mighty warrior, sometimes weilding the sword of Martin the Warrior, to protect innocent, peaceable creatures from hords of evil vermin--rats, stoats, weasels, ferrets, wildcats, foxes, ermine, wolverines, snakes, toads, lizards, etc.), despite that similarity, each of the books is unique and wonderfully entertaining. I love the dialects he invented for the different creatures-- particularly the moles (ee sayed it, oi thunk ee did) and the hares (well I should bally well think so, y'flippin lolopper, wot!). And, only in this book, the thick Highland accent of Doogy Plumm (ach! I cannae believe a wee thing like that!) and the less pronounced Border accent of Rakkety Tam McBurl, a fearsome, excellent hero. Love this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2007
you can never get enough brian jacques
July 21, 2020
Still one of my favorites due to the great storytelling, variety of cultures, & wit. The audio book is excellent.
April 5, 2021
"Rakkety Rakkety Rakkety Tam,
the drums are beatin' braw.
Rakkety Rakkety Rakkety Tam,
Are ye marchin' off tae war?
That savage from the lands of ice,
he's no' like any other.
He's sworn tae get the Walkin' Stone,
an' murder his own brother!
'Tis braw tae woo a bonny maid
for love is aye sae sweet.
Yet who'll be left tae tell the tale,
when steel an' fang must meet?"
—Rakkety Tam, P. 264
Another new batch of Abbey dwellers comes to the forefront in this seventeenth novel of Brian Jacques's unparalleled Redwall saga. Legendary warriors of Mossflower Wood have led full lives and then passed on for generations, from Luke to Martin the Warrior to Matthias to Mattimeo to Triss. Yet despite the veneration of warriors that have kept Redwall from falling to the wicked schemes and brazen might of every scourge to happen upon the sandstone building and believe it theirs to claim, Redwall remains primarily a place of peace, home to woodland creatures who aspire to live in harmony with one another and the earth, trading their hard agricultural labor for the bountiful reward of yearly harvest. In the same way, the Long Patrol hares of the mountain stronghold Salamandastron have maintained their focus generation after generation, patrolling the adjoining region in service to their badger lord to prevent vermin from ever taking hold of it. The right warriors seem to come to Redwall and Salamandastron when needed and not a season before, often at the protective behest of Martin the Warrior, who continues to guard the Abbey residents long after his passage into the next life. In Rakkety Tam, that ideal new warrior comes from without, as fierce Highland squirrels Rakkety Tam MacBurl and Wild Doogy Plumm seek to extricate themselves from indentured servitude to independently proclaimed sciurine royalty and reestablish their own reputation as freelance warriors with whom to be reckoned.
With life in Redwall Abbey and surrounding Mossflower Wood proceeding as usual, its creatures aren't aware of the power struggle ensuing up north in the icy lands beyond the sea. A wolverine kingdom there starts coming to pieces when the patriarch is murdered and his blood-lusting sons, Gulo the Savage and Askor, lock wills in a battle over family preeminence. When Askor steals their father's prized Walking Stone and sails south with it, Gulo piles a ship full of vermin and takes off after him, toward unsuspecting Mossflower. It is but a matter of time before Gulo and his crew stumble onto Redwall and figure that's where Askor would go for sanctuary with the Walking Stone, and once Gulo decides he will have entry into Redwall if it's the last thing he ever does, the future of the Abbey is in serious jeopardy.
Sent on an errand by the faux king and queen of squirrels to earn their own freedom, Rakkety Tam and Doogy Plumm walk unwittingly into the midst of the tense standoff between Gulo and the Redwallers. Tam is drawn into the drama by the watchful spirit of Martin the Warrior, who appears to have selected him as the one to challenge Gulo in a fight to the death. Not since the days of Tsarmina the wildcat has Mossflower been plagued by an enemy as lethal as Gulo, of sufficient size and temper to battle a full-grown badger and win. Tam's responsibility for the peace-loving Redwallers is mitigated by the arrival of the Long Patrol from Salamandastron, bearing a special gift for the Abbey, but Gulo's unpredictable rage soon leads Tam, Doogy, and a company of hares on reconnaissance duty to split up and try thinning the ranks of the wolverine's vermin troops through a strategy of attrition. Fewer foxes, ermine, and rats to contend with on the periphery will give Tam a better chance in a face-off against Gulo. Fate has selected the brave Highland squirrel and the flesh-eating wolverine to duel it out for the safety and liberty of this land and its long tradition of preserving and furthering the rights of the defenseless, and Tam and Gulo ultimately will clash with all of that at stake as Mossflower's future once more depends on the capability and perseverance of a great warrior. Will Rakkety Tam MacBurl save Redwall and his own life, or might the vanquishing of a foebeast as strong as Gulo the Savage require an equal sacrifice of bodies, a noble fighter in exchange for a conscienceless one? Can Redwall Abbey endure the losses it must absorb defending against its ruthless adversaries?
Rakkety Tam doesn't lack for variety of adventures. The Abbey is abuzz with action through most of the novel, after entering lockdown to prevent Gulo and his cannibalistic followers from attacking those who live within. Tactical guile isn't Gulo's strength, but he has crafty vulpine advisers to devise plans to outwit the opposition, provided Gulo doesn't slay them all out of anger over the delay in sacking Redwall. The war on the home front wages all book long, so there's plenty of opportunity for suspense. Tam has adventures of his own, diverting a portion of Gulo's horde to chase him and lead the war away from the vulnerable Abbey, but there are enemies besides the maniacal wolverine for Tam to worry about the further he strays into unknown corners of Mossflower. Doogy has isolated escapades, as well, tracking down a volethief and trying to find the way back to Redwall through unfamiliar lands. Mossflower is home to folks generous and reprehensible, and there is always question of why some won't leave well enough alone, content to develop the quality of their own lot in life without harming innocents to do it. And what makes one goodbeast lean toward a warrior's lifestyle, cutting down evil vermin without a twinge to his or her conscience, while another is haunted by the prospect of killing a single vile fiend even in self-defense? I believe I agree with Tam's words on this matter: "We all choose our different paths. Some are born gentle, whilst others are destined to be warriors." There's valid reason to resist amoral marauders even to the regrettable point of taking their lives, as Brother Demple of Redwall explains: "Because there's always good and bad in the land, and goodbeasts have to protect their friends an' families from evil ones who want nothing but to conquer an' destroy." From Lord Brocktree and Luke, who both predated even Martin the Warrior, down through the ages to Rakkety Tam MacBurl of modern Redwall, warriors in Mossflower have stood resolutely in Brother Demple's philosophy of righteous assertiveness. I pray they continue their unflagging defense of the innocent and downtrodden for all seasons yet to come.
"Now the sunny glades are silent,
where our fallen warriors lay.
As in memory we treasure
all the brave who marched away.
Through the dusty seasons rolling,
o'er our passing out parade,
how we laughed and sang together,
Oh your face 'twill never fade."
—Rakkety Tam, PP. 172-173
I can't say Rakkety Tam packs the emotional punch of the first eight Redwall novels, or even later entries such as The Legend of Luke and Lord Brocktree, but it's a solid story with moments that engage deeper feeling, particularly surrounding the deaths of a few courageous beasts who lose their lives resisting Gulo the Savage's hawkish overtures. The book wraps up meaningfully, too, and in light of these points in its favor, there's a chance I would give Rakkety Tam two and a half stars. The introduction of some animals new and rare to Mossflower should also be noted, as well as a slight increase in graphic description of the story's violence. It's a mild spike, however, doubtful to make many reconsider the series' appropriateness for kids. I plan on visiting Redwall often in the future, for I always find welcome and comfort within its walls. If you, reader, seek the same, I recommend Rakkety Tam or any of the Redwall books for your reading pleasure. There's no other series like it.
"When the sun slips o'er the treetops,
then small birds fly off to nest.
Feel the peace lie on the meadows,
'tis a time that I love best.
Slumber on, little one,
I am ever near.
Drowsily, lean on me,
dream small dreams, my dear.
All the jewelled stars a-twinkle,
Watch the clouds drift through the night.
Sail upon thy boats of dreaming,
to the rays of dawning's light.
Slumber on, day is gone,
by thy side I'll lay.
Fear no harm, rest in calm,
'til the golden day."
—Rakkety Tam, P. 198
the drums are beatin' braw.
Rakkety Rakkety Rakkety Tam,
Are ye marchin' off tae war?
That savage from the lands of ice,
he's no' like any other.
He's sworn tae get the Walkin' Stone,
an' murder his own brother!
'Tis braw tae woo a bonny maid
for love is aye sae sweet.
Yet who'll be left tae tell the tale,
when steel an' fang must meet?"
—Rakkety Tam, P. 264
Another new batch of Abbey dwellers comes to the forefront in this seventeenth novel of Brian Jacques's unparalleled Redwall saga. Legendary warriors of Mossflower Wood have led full lives and then passed on for generations, from Luke to Martin the Warrior to Matthias to Mattimeo to Triss. Yet despite the veneration of warriors that have kept Redwall from falling to the wicked schemes and brazen might of every scourge to happen upon the sandstone building and believe it theirs to claim, Redwall remains primarily a place of peace, home to woodland creatures who aspire to live in harmony with one another and the earth, trading their hard agricultural labor for the bountiful reward of yearly harvest. In the same way, the Long Patrol hares of the mountain stronghold Salamandastron have maintained their focus generation after generation, patrolling the adjoining region in service to their badger lord to prevent vermin from ever taking hold of it. The right warriors seem to come to Redwall and Salamandastron when needed and not a season before, often at the protective behest of Martin the Warrior, who continues to guard the Abbey residents long after his passage into the next life. In Rakkety Tam, that ideal new warrior comes from without, as fierce Highland squirrels Rakkety Tam MacBurl and Wild Doogy Plumm seek to extricate themselves from indentured servitude to independently proclaimed sciurine royalty and reestablish their own reputation as freelance warriors with whom to be reckoned.
With life in Redwall Abbey and surrounding Mossflower Wood proceeding as usual, its creatures aren't aware of the power struggle ensuing up north in the icy lands beyond the sea. A wolverine kingdom there starts coming to pieces when the patriarch is murdered and his blood-lusting sons, Gulo the Savage and Askor, lock wills in a battle over family preeminence. When Askor steals their father's prized Walking Stone and sails south with it, Gulo piles a ship full of vermin and takes off after him, toward unsuspecting Mossflower. It is but a matter of time before Gulo and his crew stumble onto Redwall and figure that's where Askor would go for sanctuary with the Walking Stone, and once Gulo decides he will have entry into Redwall if it's the last thing he ever does, the future of the Abbey is in serious jeopardy.
Sent on an errand by the faux king and queen of squirrels to earn their own freedom, Rakkety Tam and Doogy Plumm walk unwittingly into the midst of the tense standoff between Gulo and the Redwallers. Tam is drawn into the drama by the watchful spirit of Martin the Warrior, who appears to have selected him as the one to challenge Gulo in a fight to the death. Not since the days of Tsarmina the wildcat has Mossflower been plagued by an enemy as lethal as Gulo, of sufficient size and temper to battle a full-grown badger and win. Tam's responsibility for the peace-loving Redwallers is mitigated by the arrival of the Long Patrol from Salamandastron, bearing a special gift for the Abbey, but Gulo's unpredictable rage soon leads Tam, Doogy, and a company of hares on reconnaissance duty to split up and try thinning the ranks of the wolverine's vermin troops through a strategy of attrition. Fewer foxes, ermine, and rats to contend with on the periphery will give Tam a better chance in a face-off against Gulo. Fate has selected the brave Highland squirrel and the flesh-eating wolverine to duel it out for the safety and liberty of this land and its long tradition of preserving and furthering the rights of the defenseless, and Tam and Gulo ultimately will clash with all of that at stake as Mossflower's future once more depends on the capability and perseverance of a great warrior. Will Rakkety Tam MacBurl save Redwall and his own life, or might the vanquishing of a foebeast as strong as Gulo the Savage require an equal sacrifice of bodies, a noble fighter in exchange for a conscienceless one? Can Redwall Abbey endure the losses it must absorb defending against its ruthless adversaries?
Rakkety Tam doesn't lack for variety of adventures. The Abbey is abuzz with action through most of the novel, after entering lockdown to prevent Gulo and his cannibalistic followers from attacking those who live within. Tactical guile isn't Gulo's strength, but he has crafty vulpine advisers to devise plans to outwit the opposition, provided Gulo doesn't slay them all out of anger over the delay in sacking Redwall. The war on the home front wages all book long, so there's plenty of opportunity for suspense. Tam has adventures of his own, diverting a portion of Gulo's horde to chase him and lead the war away from the vulnerable Abbey, but there are enemies besides the maniacal wolverine for Tam to worry about the further he strays into unknown corners of Mossflower. Doogy has isolated escapades, as well, tracking down a volethief and trying to find the way back to Redwall through unfamiliar lands. Mossflower is home to folks generous and reprehensible, and there is always question of why some won't leave well enough alone, content to develop the quality of their own lot in life without harming innocents to do it. And what makes one goodbeast lean toward a warrior's lifestyle, cutting down evil vermin without a twinge to his or her conscience, while another is haunted by the prospect of killing a single vile fiend even in self-defense? I believe I agree with Tam's words on this matter: "We all choose our different paths. Some are born gentle, whilst others are destined to be warriors." There's valid reason to resist amoral marauders even to the regrettable point of taking their lives, as Brother Demple of Redwall explains: "Because there's always good and bad in the land, and goodbeasts have to protect their friends an' families from evil ones who want nothing but to conquer an' destroy." From Lord Brocktree and Luke, who both predated even Martin the Warrior, down through the ages to Rakkety Tam MacBurl of modern Redwall, warriors in Mossflower have stood resolutely in Brother Demple's philosophy of righteous assertiveness. I pray they continue their unflagging defense of the innocent and downtrodden for all seasons yet to come.
"Now the sunny glades are silent,
where our fallen warriors lay.
As in memory we treasure
all the brave who marched away.
Through the dusty seasons rolling,
o'er our passing out parade,
how we laughed and sang together,
Oh your face 'twill never fade."
—Rakkety Tam, PP. 172-173
I can't say Rakkety Tam packs the emotional punch of the first eight Redwall novels, or even later entries such as The Legend of Luke and Lord Brocktree, but it's a solid story with moments that engage deeper feeling, particularly surrounding the deaths of a few courageous beasts who lose their lives resisting Gulo the Savage's hawkish overtures. The book wraps up meaningfully, too, and in light of these points in its favor, there's a chance I would give Rakkety Tam two and a half stars. The introduction of some animals new and rare to Mossflower should also be noted, as well as a slight increase in graphic description of the story's violence. It's a mild spike, however, doubtful to make many reconsider the series' appropriateness for kids. I plan on visiting Redwall often in the future, for I always find welcome and comfort within its walls. If you, reader, seek the same, I recommend Rakkety Tam or any of the Redwall books for your reading pleasure. There's no other series like it.
"When the sun slips o'er the treetops,
then small birds fly off to nest.
Feel the peace lie on the meadows,
'tis a time that I love best.
Slumber on, little one,
I am ever near.
Drowsily, lean on me,
dream small dreams, my dear.
All the jewelled stars a-twinkle,
Watch the clouds drift through the night.
Sail upon thy boats of dreaming,
to the rays of dawning's light.
Slumber on, day is gone,
by thy side I'll lay.
Fear no harm, rest in calm,
'til the golden day."
—Rakkety Tam, P. 198
May 4, 2023
Rakkety Tam was a good step in the right direction after having read quite a few books that fell below the mark. If this were the first book by Jacques that I had ever read, I might rate it higher. That being said, with only 5 books left in the series, I’ve seen quite a few of the same plot devices in this book.
On the good side, this book’s villain is a big departure from the prior villains. A giant wolverine that literally bites people’s heads off took me by surprise, and if it wasn’t for his stupidity, would have carried the story quite well. The main heroes have an actual personality of their own, and aren’t carbon copies of prior characters. The vole thief, Yoofus, was a pretty solid departure from his other characters, and made a few decisions I didn’t expect. It thankfully didn’t have a rabbit complaining about food the entire time.
On the bad side, this book meanders in its plot quite a bit and jumps around a lot. None of it serves the main plot at all, and there are two sub plots that honestly just feel like filler. There’s a character, Brooky, who is an exact clone of an old character, Rosemary, who just goes ballistic with laughter. Rosemary, I did not care for, and swapping her race did not help make WAH HOO HOH OHOHOHOHO a sentence I want to read over and over. Rakkety Tam’s Scottish accent was a bit distracting and thick. Martin, as usual, served no real purpose in this book, taking on his typical “give this sword, go to this place” role. The big huff to get the drum back was only a plot device and nothing more, as it was just a gift. The “walking stone” turtle really served no purpose, and I found it odd that a lot of characters had apparently never seen a turtle? Also, turtles are apparently tiny pets in this universe.
I think the thing that got me most was that the villain was incredibly stupid, and was misled the entire book. He was insane, which I get, but if he had a shred of intellect, none of the book would have taken place, as they bait him along on a chase with only the barest of hints that he’s chasing another wolverine. He was a VERY unique “boss character” for the book, and it was a huge missed opportunity to make him a dullard.
Lastly, this is the second book in the series that I’ve read that has a firm, satisfying ending, but then the epilogue turned into its own micro story, and a bunch of events happen with characters traveling, accomplishing things, and coming back to Redwall. It’s a really strange choice.
But overall, it did leave me a bit more optimistic for the next books, which is to say, something I needed after quite a few losers.
On the good side, this book’s villain is a big departure from the prior villains. A giant wolverine that literally bites people’s heads off took me by surprise, and if it wasn’t for his stupidity, would have carried the story quite well. The main heroes have an actual personality of their own, and aren’t carbon copies of prior characters. The vole thief, Yoofus, was a pretty solid departure from his other characters, and made a few decisions I didn’t expect. It thankfully didn’t have a rabbit complaining about food the entire time.
On the bad side, this book meanders in its plot quite a bit and jumps around a lot. None of it serves the main plot at all, and there are two sub plots that honestly just feel like filler. There’s a character, Brooky, who is an exact clone of an old character, Rosemary, who just goes ballistic with laughter. Rosemary, I did not care for, and swapping her race did not help make WAH HOO HOH OHOHOHOHO a sentence I want to read over and over. Rakkety Tam’s Scottish accent was a bit distracting and thick. Martin, as usual, served no real purpose in this book, taking on his typical “give this sword, go to this place” role. The big huff to get the drum back was only a plot device and nothing more, as it was just a gift. The “walking stone” turtle really served no purpose, and I found it odd that a lot of characters had apparently never seen a turtle? Also, turtles are apparently tiny pets in this universe.
I think the thing that got me most was that the villain was incredibly stupid, and was misled the entire book. He was insane, which I get, but if he had a shred of intellect, none of the book would have taken place, as they bait him along on a chase with only the barest of hints that he’s chasing another wolverine. He was a VERY unique “boss character” for the book, and it was a huge missed opportunity to make him a dullard.
Lastly, this is the second book in the series that I’ve read that has a firm, satisfying ending, but then the epilogue turned into its own micro story, and a bunch of events happen with characters traveling, accomplishing things, and coming back to Redwall. It’s a really strange choice.
But overall, it did leave me a bit more optimistic for the next books, which is to say, something I needed after quite a few losers.
July 21, 2020
In many ways, this book is Redwall at its best. Both the main characters and side characters are great, each one fleshed-out and memorable. The wit and humor are on point, with highlander squirrels and the Long Patrol all in fine form. Lots of exciting action and fun storytelling. Only downside are the villains, which turn out to be pretty incompetent and one dimensional.
Also, the audiobook production is fantastic; the songs are still stuck in my head.
Also, the audiobook production is fantastic; the songs are still stuck in my head.
January 25, 2023
I was obsessed with this book (and all the rest of the series) when I was 10. Much less obsessed now. Way more violent than I remembered, and missing some of the cozy Redwall factor that I recall permeating the series. Perhaps it’s a case of not being in the right mood for a book at the time I read it, but it was a struggle to finish. 2.5 stars.
December 26, 2023
Another one of my favorite Redwall books. Mostly thanks to Tam himself. I mean, who doesn't love a Scottish inspired, kilt wearing, claymore wielding squirrel? I also love some of the different tactics used in this book to defeat the enemy. I thought I remembered more people dying than actually did, but I'm okay with less death.
May 5, 2019
Great climb max! A great book to read over again, highly recommended!
May 24, 2024
This one lacks the emotional gut punches of other books, but for sheer exciting action it’s hard to beat. And the artwork is arguably the best—who doesn’t love a highland squirrel poised to attack a savage monster?
December 1, 2024
By far one of my favorite Redwall protagonists
March 8, 2024
A bit slow...possibly because of the lacklustre villain and the numerous song interludes...
June 19, 2020
It's been twelve years since I've read a Redwall book. And I was about twelve when I realized the series had declined in quality. Now, here at twenty-seven, I tried to pick up where I left off in the series: Rakkety Tam.
As an adolescent, I loved this series more than any other. It had animals, adventure, swordfights, honest good guys, vile villains, epic journeys across majestic landscapes, and best of all a gorgeous map at the front of each book. But after Lord Brocktree came out, I noticed a decline in quality. This time in my life also coincided with my maturation as human being, having discovered objectivity, and hormones having discovered me. The next novel, The Taggerung, was... okay, though it did have reptiles, so I carried on. Triss was predictable, and Loamhedge was a carbon copy of Triss with the names changed. Even though I owned Rakkety Tam, I put it aside, untouched.
Now, twelve years later, I picked it up again, wondering if my past distaste was just a rebellious streak.
It was not.
The problems are all here. Characters' voices are incomprehensible unless you speak them aloud, interrupting any flow of reading you've built up. Characterizations are broad, plotting is obvious, and sentimental descriptions of a simpler life are filled with food descriptions. It was the same as before, nothing had changed, only this time it was a Scottish squirrel instead of a mouse.
Not that all of the book was terrible. The descriptions of violence by the antagonists, how they eat their enemies, leaving only fur and bones behind, was surprisingly gruesome. Had they always been that dark? Aside from phonetic accents, the action was clear, the characters memorable if not new. The adventurous streak carried me through half a dozen chapters, but even then I itched for something, anything, different.
So I stopped reading. This shames me. I hate not finishing books, but I have more and more books to read and less and less time to read them. But once I set the book down, tore out my bookmark with teary eyes, felt relief. I would gain nothing by finishing this book.
Now, were the earlier books as bad? Do the cliched plots start earlier than I remember? Rakkety Tam itself, out of the context of the other twenty novels, is probably serviceable, if not decent. But why read this one if there are others, potentially better ones at that?
This series, though not this book, will always have a special place in my heart. They helped to transition me from chapter books to novels. Yes, there were still pictures before each chapter (which are still beautiful, in their animals-acting-like-humans way.), but the book is definitely a novel. It's not as impenetrable as Tolkien's language, nor as subversive as LeGuin's Earthsea, or even as enlightening as Watership Down. The characters are black and white, the tropes are fulfilled, and the text is light, though lengthy. But I will always remember the adventures of Matthias, Martin the Warrior, and Mariel with fondness. The Redwall books were a stepping in stone in my reading maturity, one I do not regret, but one I fear I cannot revisit.
My son is seven months old, and in time he will (probably) read these books. My shelf still bears their spines, and he may learn to love them as I did. And in twelve more years, who's to say he won't also grow too old for them, stepping slowly into the world of adulthood?
As an adolescent, I loved this series more than any other. It had animals, adventure, swordfights, honest good guys, vile villains, epic journeys across majestic landscapes, and best of all a gorgeous map at the front of each book. But after Lord Brocktree came out, I noticed a decline in quality. This time in my life also coincided with my maturation as human being, having discovered objectivity, and hormones having discovered me. The next novel, The Taggerung, was... okay, though it did have reptiles, so I carried on. Triss was predictable, and Loamhedge was a carbon copy of Triss with the names changed. Even though I owned Rakkety Tam, I put it aside, untouched.
Now, twelve years later, I picked it up again, wondering if my past distaste was just a rebellious streak.
It was not.
The problems are all here. Characters' voices are incomprehensible unless you speak them aloud, interrupting any flow of reading you've built up. Characterizations are broad, plotting is obvious, and sentimental descriptions of a simpler life are filled with food descriptions. It was the same as before, nothing had changed, only this time it was a Scottish squirrel instead of a mouse.
Not that all of the book was terrible. The descriptions of violence by the antagonists, how they eat their enemies, leaving only fur and bones behind, was surprisingly gruesome. Had they always been that dark? Aside from phonetic accents, the action was clear, the characters memorable if not new. The adventurous streak carried me through half a dozen chapters, but even then I itched for something, anything, different.
So I stopped reading. This shames me. I hate not finishing books, but I have more and more books to read and less and less time to read them. But once I set the book down, tore out my bookmark with teary eyes, felt relief. I would gain nothing by finishing this book.
Now, were the earlier books as bad? Do the cliched plots start earlier than I remember? Rakkety Tam itself, out of the context of the other twenty novels, is probably serviceable, if not decent. But why read this one if there are others, potentially better ones at that?
This series, though not this book, will always have a special place in my heart. They helped to transition me from chapter books to novels. Yes, there were still pictures before each chapter (which are still beautiful, in their animals-acting-like-humans way.), but the book is definitely a novel. It's not as impenetrable as Tolkien's language, nor as subversive as LeGuin's Earthsea, or even as enlightening as Watership Down. The characters are black and white, the tropes are fulfilled, and the text is light, though lengthy. But I will always remember the adventures of Matthias, Martin the Warrior, and Mariel with fondness. The Redwall books were a stepping in stone in my reading maturity, one I do not regret, but one I fear I cannot revisit.
My son is seven months old, and in time he will (probably) read these books. My shelf still bears their spines, and he may learn to love them as I did. And in twelve more years, who's to say he won't also grow too old for them, stepping slowly into the world of adulthood?
April 22, 2015
Ah, Redwall... Taking me right back to my childhood! Rakkety Tam was a fun tale. It's been a few years since I read the previous novel, Loamhedge.
We meet a new sinister antagonist, Gulo the Savage. He's a wolverine, and he's bad. There were parts of the book involving Gulo that shocked me. Let's just say that he and his subordinates don't just kill their enemies, they eat them too. For this reason, the book seemed darker than other Redwall books, but it definitely distinguished just how bad Gulo is. It added a scarier element to the big beast.
Rakkety Tam MacBurl was a very likeable character!
There is so much charm in these books. From the dibbun speech, to the food I wish I could try due to Jacques's descriptions, and just the whole good vs. evil plot, these stories never get old. If you haven't made the journey to Redwall and Mossflower Country, consider this an invitation! Give it a try!
We meet a new sinister antagonist, Gulo the Savage. He's a wolverine, and he's bad. There were parts of the book involving Gulo that shocked me. Let's just say that he and his subordinates don't just kill their enemies, they eat them too. For this reason, the book seemed darker than other Redwall books, but it definitely distinguished just how bad Gulo is. It added a scarier element to the big beast.
Rakkety Tam MacBurl was a very likeable character!
There is so much charm in these books. From the dibbun speech, to the food I wish I could try due to Jacques's descriptions, and just the whole good vs. evil plot, these stories never get old. If you haven't made the journey to Redwall and Mossflower Country, consider this an invitation! Give it a try!
January 11, 2019
Rakkety Tam- A squirrel warrior with perfect tactic and strategy, yet has a brave heart, rushing into places and fights where he oughtn't have tried; yet he remains undefeated. Brian Jacques put a real gem into this story- it's in my opinion, a shining star in the Redwall series, a for-sure 'read again'.
June 27, 2024
As always with the Redwall series, I loved this story! My second listen through, I deeply enjoyed it all over again. The physical books are fantastic, and the audiobooks cast is fantastic, just all around- enjoy it!
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