"The Tale of Despereaux" by Kate DiCamillo

"The Tale of Despereaux" by Kate DiCamillo

I must admit that one of the main reasons I read this book is because I want to see the movie, and I am curious as to how the two will differ. The book was much easier to get from the library than the movie. As of this moment I am in number 92 of 152 holds on the film, so it will be a while. I am glad that I read the book, but it had one major flaw that, despite it's Newberry Medal, made it very difficult to get through. The narrator at least once a chapter took a break from storytelling to define words, address the reader, and to make sure that the reader was involved in the story, especially during the most interesting bits. What the heck was with that? Here are a few excerpts:

"Reader, do you know what 'perfidy' means? I have a feeling that you do, based on the little scene that has just unfolded here. But you should look up the word in the dictionary, to be sure."

"'Adieu is French for farewell.
'Farewell' is not a word that you would like to hear from your mother as you are being led to the dungeon by two oversize mice in black hoods."

“Poor Mig. What will become of her? You must, frightened though you may be, read on and see for yourself.

Reader, it is your duty.”

“Forgiveness, reader, is, I think, something very much like hope and love, powerful, wonderful thing.

And a ridiculous thing too.”

Instead of stopping to explain things, why not elaborate on the character's actual feelings, on the actual events of the story? I found this deeply, deeply annoying. The plot and character was interesting and if not for the constant interruption of the narrator I would have enjoyed the story. I suppose some people don't mind, and perhaps children feel the need to have the story explained to them every chapter or so. As an adult it takes out some of the mystery and interest to spoon-feed the themes and ideas of the story one by one to the reader directly through the mouth of the narrator.

I suppose I would recommend this book to children, but one thing I love about fairy tales and mythology is the great mysteries that carry the story forward. Why was the witch evil? Why stick the princess on a glass hill? Who knows? That is how I would prefer it.

I liked the unlikely hero, and how each of the main characters had impossible hopes and dreams that they wanted to fulfill, and especially how Despereaux was rewarded for his faith and diligence. I thought that "Pea" was a darling name for a Princess in a fairy-tale like story, and look forward to hearing Matthew Brodrick voice the hero in the film.