The Assassination Of Brangwain Spurge, by M. T. Anderson
Candlewick Press - 2018
Fantasy - Teen
Audiobook (with supplemental PDF of illustrations by Eugene Yelchin)
Narrated by Gildart Jackson
Fantasy - Teen
Audiobook (with supplemental PDF of illustrations by Eugene Yelchin)
Narrated by Gildart Jackson
5 Hours, 58 Minutes
Finalist, National Book Awards 2018 for Young Peoples Literature
Finalist, National Book Awards 2018 for Young Peoples Literature
My Rating (out of 5)
⭐⭐⭐⭐
A quirky little story that was fun!
Brangwain Spurge is an Elvin historian on a mission. Being shot by crossbow from his home in Elfin territory over the mountains and into Goblin territory, delivering a gift as a peace offering to the Goblin overlord, and oh yeah, spying on the goblins and reporting back to his Elvin leaders. No big deal - but no Elf who has ventured into Goblin territory on a diplomatic mission in the last 100 years has ever returned!
After landing the Goblin territory he becomes a guest of Werfel, a Goblin archivist. While these two should get along famously, things get lost in cultural translation, and through a series of misunderstandings and missteps they soon find themselves offended by one another. Before long, it is apparent that there are political wranglings going on that neither was aware of, and that they must find a way to work together to avoid war or even their own deaths.
Written for a younger audience, it is a good story to foster consideration or conversation on the effect of perspective and cultural differences in relating to other individuals; but the story can easily be enjoyed by an older audience as satire, social commentary, or just a pleasant and light diversion.
The story was performed by Gildart Jackson. Animated, with a good range of character, I couldn't imagine it being performed by anyone else. He was a perfect choice to narrate this story.
Unfortunately, I use my Android phone to stream audiobooks, and I cannot access the PDF of the illustrations by Eugene Yelchin, but they are wonderful and I would suggest to anyone choosing to listen to the audiobook to take the time and look at them, - even if, like me, you are unable to look at them until after you have finished listening.
An amusing story that will delight teens and adults alike.
Brangwain Spurge is an Elvin historian on a mission. Being shot by crossbow from his home in Elfin territory over the mountains and into Goblin territory, delivering a gift as a peace offering to the Goblin overlord, and oh yeah, spying on the goblins and reporting back to his Elvin leaders. No big deal - but no Elf who has ventured into Goblin territory on a diplomatic mission in the last 100 years has ever returned!
After landing the Goblin territory he becomes a guest of Werfel, a Goblin archivist. While these two should get along famously, things get lost in cultural translation, and through a series of misunderstandings and missteps they soon find themselves offended by one another. Before long, it is apparent that there are political wranglings going on that neither was aware of, and that they must find a way to work together to avoid war or even their own deaths.
Written for a younger audience, it is a good story to foster consideration or conversation on the effect of perspective and cultural differences in relating to other individuals; but the story can easily be enjoyed by an older audience as satire, social commentary, or just a pleasant and light diversion.
The story was performed by Gildart Jackson. Animated, with a good range of character, I couldn't imagine it being performed by anyone else. He was a perfect choice to narrate this story.
Unfortunately, I use my Android phone to stream audiobooks, and I cannot access the PDF of the illustrations by Eugene Yelchin, but they are wonderful and I would suggest to anyone choosing to listen to the audiobook to take the time and look at them, - even if, like me, you are unable to look at them until after you have finished listening.
An amusing story that will delight teens and adults alike.
Happy Reading,
Christine
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