The Book Without Words -- Book and Audio Review

The Book Without Words
A Fable of Medieval Magic
By Avi
Hyperion Books for Children
2005
Audio read by John Curless

Dedication: For Susan Raab

Target Age Group: Boys and Girls, ages 8 through 12

Must Read
Good Read
Should Read

Best Experienced: This book can best be experienced by either reading the book or listening to the CD.

Synopsis

In the 11th century village of Fulworth, Master Thorston, an alchemist, has spent his entire life pouring over the Book Without Words, searching for the secret of eternal life. It’s nearly in his grasp, if he doesn’t die first.

His faithful servant, Odo – a talking raven – isn’t interested in eternal life. He’s interested in the formula for gold, a formula Thorston has promised to give him. But on his deathbed, Thorston insists on speaking to his servant girl, Sybil, asking for someone with green eyes.

Thorston dies before he is able to reveal his secrets to either Sybil or Odo. If anyone in the village finds out their master is dead, Sybil and Odo will be evicted from their home and left to fend for themselves. So they join together to discover the secret that Thorston had been trying to tell them.

Can they keep Thorston's death a secret? Will they discover the secret of making gold? If they do, will Odo have to share his anticipated wealth with Sybil, an ignorant servant girl? And why do they need a child with green eyes?

Book Review

This is a very charming story of friendship, loyalty and betrayal. Odo, an odious bird, is aptly named. He’s a sour, selfish, narcissistic creature, perhaps because that’s how his master Thorston was.

Sybil, on the other hand, is a poor orphaned girl who is happy with the little she has. She treats Odo with kindness he doesn’t deserve, and proves that you don’t have to be educated to know what’s right and what’s wrong.

This is an excellent bedtime story to read aloud, and it will take several nights. Or you can play it in your car when you're taking a long trip. For older kids who don't want to be read to, it's a quick and enjoyable read. The characters are very colorful and very motivated (gold will do that).

Audio Review

John Curless does an excellent job in portraying the characters in this book, and bringing the story to life.

Characters

Master Thorston – An alchemist whose sole purpose in life has been to discover the secret to eternal life.

Odo – A talking raven and Thorston’s servant. Next to being rich, Odo longs to fly, but had his wings clipped in order to prove his loyalty to Thorston. It is a sacrifice he greatly regrets.

Sybil – 13 years old, Sybil is an orphan. Thorston found her on the streets and brought her into his home as his servant girl. Sybil is so grateful for the bed and meager food, and has no idea that Thorston’s motives could be anything other than honorable.

Wilfrid – A very old monk who must right a wrong that occurred many, many years prior, when Thorston himself was just a boy – a 13 year old boy.

Ambrose Bashcroft – The city reeve (sheriff) of Fulworth. His favorite, and only, Latin phrase is Dura lex, sed lex, which means, “The law is hard, but it is the law.” And he is fond of saying this over and over (and over and over) throughout the book, followed by his personal addition, “Since I am the law, I must be hard.” Alchemy is against the law, but if Thorston is making gold, then Bashcroft should have it...and the secret for making it.

Alfric – A young orphaned boy with green eyes. Bashcroft buys him to give to Thorston, because he really wants that gold. Alfric is a good boy and will do anything he’s asked, but he’s afraid. If he doesn’t find the secret of making gold, then Bashcroft will beat him. But what will happen if he does find it?

Mistress Weebly – The town apothecary, and an extremely…how shall we say…nosy woman. She trades gossip with Bashcroft in exchange for his protection against any bad advice or potion she may have given to her customers.

Damian Perbeck – A boy, tall and chubby, about 13, also with green eyes. He is Mistress Weebly’s apprentice until he hears that Master Thorston needs a boy with green eyes and may be making gold. He deserves better than being an apothecary’s apprentice. He wants to make the gold himself.