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We all have characters we love. Let’s spotlight these fantastic creations! Whether you want to be friends with them or you have a full-blown crush on them, you know you love them and want everyone else to love them too!
Most of you will probably post about how much you love each character, but this is a great place for the more creative ones among you to let go and have fun! Write a love letter to Captain Wentworth. Write yourself into a scene with Anne and Diana. Draw a picture of yourself in Jamie’s arms. The possibilities are endless.
Be sure to post the book’s title and author, and be very careful not to give away spoilers while talking about how much you love your characters.
Mr. Linky will be posted here on The Introverted Reader every Thursday.
I don’t read a lot of middle grade books. If my cousin recommends one to me, I read it and love it, but I don’t generally seek them out. Luckily my cousin (or was it my aunt?) recommended The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo. What a wonderful book! Five +++++ Stars! If you haven’t read it, stop reading this and go pick it up now. Seriously.
The heart of this heart-warming story is obviously Despereaux. He’s a tiny mouse, even by mouse standards, with enormous ears. His heart and soul are enormous though. While other mice scuttle about in fear, Despereaux seeks adventure. On one of his journeys, he comes upon a book that begins with that well-loved phrase, “Once upon a time.” Who can resist? Certainly not Despereaux. He reads the fairy tale and his gigantic imagination gains even more fuel.
One day he meets Princess Pea, a sad little human princess. As fairy tale heroes do, he falls in love with her. There are obvious problems with this though, and Despereaux recognizes that. In one line, Despereaux utters what has to be the MG equivalent of Captain Wentworth’s letter: “I honor you.” Oh, my gosh. Three small words and he melted my heart. Isn’t honor at the heart of true love? Despereaux gets that.
Despereaux’s mouse community doesn’t know what to make of this brave little soul. They pressure him to fit in more, become timid and jumpy, and scurry about. They don’t understand him so he scares them. Even his own family doesn’t understand him. Despereaux remains true to himself despite pressures to conform. That may be his most courageous act of all.
Lots of big adventures follow and it would be easy for Despereaux to give up. His small size could make things hard, but he makes it work for him. His courage, his love, and his honor know no bounds.
Here are some quotes from the book that give you a little taste of what Despereaux is all about.
“Reader, you must know that an interesting fate (sometimes involving rats, sometimes not) awaits almost everyone, mouse or man, who does not conform.”
“The sound of the king’s music made Despereaux’s soul grow large and light inside of him.”
“Stories are light. Light is precious in a world so dark. Begin at the beginning. Tell Gregory a story. Make some light.”
The movie version of this book is wonderful too. Some things changed, and I did love the book more, but Despereaux’s spirit remained the same, and that’s what counts. Matthew Broderick did his voice and he was just perfect.
Who did you connect with this week? Write a post and link up! Be sure to visit everyone else’s posts too!
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7 Comments
I loved this book and have been very wary of the movie from the moment that I saw the trailer. It didn't look like what I would have imagined it to be. I guess I was sort of thinking it would look like something along the lines of The Witches movie. Maybe I'll give it a try one day.
I loved Despereaux, and you *know* I love rodents, but there was one thing I found very off-putting in this book, and it's tainted my view of the book ever since — I LOATHED the asides to the reader. I thought they were so condescending and unnecessary. It wasn't even a huge part of the book, but it drove me nuts, and it's the first thing I think of when I think of the book.
I also hated that DiCamillo kept talking about Mig's "cabbage ears"…Though I do like the name Miggery Sow. Pretty fun.
I love that you compare him to Wentworth. That's too precious.
I always mean to read this book one day – it sounds very cute.
i remember reading it very soon after its release – i think it took me several hours non -stop. i loved Desperaux character and it didn't look like a regular fairy-tale. great post!
+JMJ+
I love mice in YA, and Despereaux is one of my favourites! I fell in love with him from the first few pages of his book. <3
And he is the Captain Wentworth of mice, isn't he? =D Thanks so much for making that comparison. What a swoon-worthy character crush!
Aw I love this. I really loved the Despereaux story, it was really fabulous.
Aw, what a great and cute choice! This was a really fun post and I loved reading it. You presented Despereaux so well. He's lovely!