Muddle Earth (review)
2007; Johns Hopkins University Press; Volume: 61; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1353/bcc.2007.0710
ISSN1558-6766
Autores Tópico(s)Earth Systems and Cosmic Evolution
ResumoReviewed by: Muddle Earth April Spisak Stewart, Paul Muddle Earth; illus. by Chris Riddell. Delacorte, 2007 [432p] Library ed. ISBN 978-0-385-90335-6$19.99 Trade ed. ISBN 978-0-385-73316-8$16.99 Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 5-7 In this British import from the co-authors of the Edge Chronicles (Beyond the Deep Woods, BCCB 9/04, etc.), high fantasy is tossed out in favor of the silliest and most sardonic representation of Middle Earth ever. In fact, the setting is actually Muddle Earth, where all of the good wizards are being held captive by the evil Dr. Cuddles, and the only remaining wizard, Randalf the Wise, knows only half a spell and is beleaguered by a sarcastic budgie sidekick who takes any opportunity to remind him of his faults. Enter Joe, an average boy, and his faithful dog, Henry, whom Randalf mistakenly summons to be their warrior hero. Once they get boy sorted from dog, there is much for a warrior hero to do: calm the ogre who is acting out because of his grief over his missing snuggly-wuggly, rescue a kidnapped queen, and, of course, defeat the nefarious Dr. Cuddles of Giggle Glade. Much of the fun comes from the seemingly random and absolutely unpredictable plot where silverware suddenly becomes sentient and ends up playing a key role in the adventure, and no one is really surprised when Brenda, a statuesque Viking warrior, appears from nowhere, ready to aid Joe in anything that doesn't involve elves (her one phobia). Interspersed black-and-white illustrations, as cheerfully exaggerated as the rest of the story, add to the goofy humor. In case it all gets a bit confusing, a character list and intricate map (lest someone mistake the trail to the castle through the Perfumed Bog for the one through the Musty Mountains) will explain everything. This much ridiculousness is sure to displease fantasy fans who prefer their elves dignified and their wizards brilliant, but even they might acknowledge that this could serve as an accessible and completely nonthreatening introduction to the genre. Copyright © 2007 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
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