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Summary
Summary
In the 14th Redwall adventure, the clan of Sawney Rath kidnaps one of Redwall's own--a baby otter, who they believe is destined to become the Taggerung: the warrior hero of ancient legend.
Author Notes
Brian Jacques was born in Liverpool, England on June 15, 1939. After he finished St. John's School at the age of fifteen, he became a merchant seaman and travelled to numerous ports including New York, Valparaiso, San Francisco, and Yokohama. Tiring of the lonely life of a sailor, he returned to Liverpool where he worked as a railway fireman, a longshoreman, a long-distance truck driver, a bus driver, a boxer, a police constable, a postmaster, and a stand-up comic. During the sixties, he was a member of the folk singing group The Liverpool Fishermen. He wrote both poetry and music, but he began his writing career in earnest as a playwright. His three stage plays Brown Bitter, Wet Nellies, and Scouse have been performed at the Everyman Theatre.
He wrote Redwall for the children at the Royal Wavertree School for the Blind in Liverpool, where he delivered milk as a truck driver. His style of writing is very descriptive, because of the nature of his first audience, for whom he painted pictures with words, so that they could see them in their imaginations. After Alan Durband, his childhood English teacher, read Redwall, he showed it to a publisher without telling Jacques. This event led to a contract for the first five books in the Redwall series. He also wrote the Castaways of the Flying Dutchman series. He died on February 5, 2011.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (5)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Redwall lovers, rejoice! The epic continues with Taggerung, the 14th book in Brian Jacques's popular series. An otter born in Redwall Abbey is kidnapped by members of an opposing clan who believe he is destined to be a great Taggerung, or warrior hero; Tagg later rebels against his adoptive tribe and goes in search of his true home. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
(Intermediate) Kidnapped as a baby and raised by a nomadic clan of vermin called the Juskarath, Tagg the otter has never known the gentle ways of his real Redwall family. Even so, his training as a warrior has not turned him into the bloodthirsty assassin that his adoptive father wants him to be. When Tagg refuses to follow a direct order to kill and instead abandons the clan, a group of vermin sets off on his trail, intent on murder. Unlike most of the Redwall stories, the tale doesnÕt have one main villain; TaggÕs bumbling foes are actually their own worst enemies, although they do leave a trail of destruction behind them as they make their way through Mossflower Wood. When they become aware of the creaturesÕ evil actions, Tagg and his mouse friend, Nimbalo, decide that they must track down the vermin and deal with them. Meanwhile, back at the abbey, TaggÕs older sister, Mhera, follows a set of clues that promise to reveal the identity of the next abbess. In the process, she proves herself a faithful and wise leader and is ready to plan the defense when the vermin finally arrive at the gate. Readers will welcome the appearance of a new generation of Redwall creatures. Smart, athletic, and good-natured, Tagg is an appealing hero, and MheraÕs adept handling of her own more domestic adventures will also win readers over. As usual, the battle scenes are balanced by the antics of the Redwall inhabitants. anne st. john From HORN BOOK, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Gr. 5-8. Jacques works his expected yarn-telling magic in this fourteenth Redwall tale. This time the hero is Taggerung, an otter kidnapped in infancy and raised as the adopted son of Sawny Rath, a savage ferret who leads a murderous band of stoats, rats, weasels, foxes, and ferrets. As Tagg matures, a rift develops between him and Sawny, revolving, in part, around Tagg's refusal to maim or kill an adversary. The enmity grows, and Tagg leaves the clan. Meanwhile, back at Redwall Abbey, the missing otter babe is mourned, but life goes on in its usual manner, with much feasting and rollicking as well as some danger and sadness. Of course, Tagg eventually makes his way back to the abbey, discovers his identity, meets his mother and his sister--who has just become the Redwall's new abbess--and helps save the day. --Sally Estes
School Library Journal Review
Gr 5 Up-Here's book 14 in the Redwall dynasty, and Jacques shows no sign of flagging. As in the last book, the story is framed as a recounting of deeds of derring-do and high adventure. A baby otter is kidnapped by the vermin horde, whose leader believes him to be the epic hero Taggerung. As the otter grows, he runs away from his evil foster clan and, with the help of many good friends, particularly the harvest mouse Nimbalo, he finally makes his way home to Redwall. Supporting this plot are the two pillars of Redwall literature-food and those amazing accents. The English Public School hares, with their "laddie bucks" and "wots?" are of course fabulous, as are the nearly unintelligible moles and hedgehogs. Who can resist a story that is constantly carrying on about deeper'n'ever beet and hotroot pie, hot scones, and watershrimp soup? The fact that fans will devour this book is doubtless. As with all the other titles in the series, no prior knowledge of Redwall and its denizens is needed to ensure enjoyment. However, having read this one, new fans will undoubtedly be back for seconds and thirds.-Patricia A. Dollisch, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Otters star in the 14th Redwall adventure (The Legend of Luke, 2000, etc.), holding the line against evil in their make-believe world. This time the wild vermin Juskarath believe a baby has been born that will become the "Taggerung," a legendary fighter who can empower their tribe. The baby belongs to domesticated otters at Redwall, so the Juskarath steal the cub. Raised as a savage, "Tagg" indeed becomes a fearsome warrior, but his virtuous nature triumphs over his barbarous nurturing and he refuses to kill. Tagg leaves the Juskarath and teams up with Nimbalo, a tough little fightin' mouse. The two trek about the land, making friends and battling evil. They're trailed by the menacing Juskarath until all meet at Redwall Abbey for the final showdown. Meanwhile, Tagg's sister Mhera and the old badgermum Cregga preside over the constant feasting at the Abbey, pondering puzzles until the otter family is reunited. Readers of all ages who enjoy fantasy can happily lose themselves in Redwall's cozy world, where they'll enjoy zestful fights, lengthy descriptions of scrumptious food, and endearing animals speaking in thick dialects. Jacques's characters vibrate with personality, and he clearly delineates the differences between a life of friendship and one of savagery. It's great fun, and not just for Redwall fans. (Fiction. 10+)
Table of Contents
| Book 1 The Babe at the Ford | p. 1 |
| Book 2 Fifteen Seasons On | p. 65 |
| Book 3 Deyna | p. 275 |
