Anyone read Wolf Brother?

L

longplay

Active Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2005
Messages
34
Location
South Coast
I read something on the Guardian about Michelle Paver and her Children's book Wolf Brother (they refer to it as Wolf Boy I think) and how it got the largest advance of any Children's book in history (never a good sign, it's usually the kiss of death). I've never heard of it, just wondering is anyone has come across or read it and what they thought.

News article on it: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/arts/3621534.stm
 
Haven't read it, but I did hear something about it. I read somewhere that they are going to make a movie from it. I read this piece of info even before the book came out, which i thought was really weird at the time. The book looks good though, I might just have to pick it up and read it.
 
I have read it and it is a very good YA book not Harry Potter quality but good.
 
HMMM.. sounds intresting especially when it's only Book 1 of a six part series The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness. Book 2 SPIRIT WALKER is due September 7 in the UK.

Below is a link to a comprehensive fan forum for readers of this series:

http://www.torak.info/
 
I read this in a day last week. I'm not sure that it was worth its rumoured advance, but it was a good read. I loved the sort of elemental earth magic feel through the book. All the herb lore and the sense of bonding between the characters and the land in which they live.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about the book, however, was the pace. It didn't really let up throughout. I found I was dragged through the pages by the relentless onslaught of events that cascaded from one to another. I find it hard to believe that Michelle will be able to keep this sort of pace going for six books without a certain amount of repetition, but time will tell.

For weaknesses, well I would have to say that Torak's quest had too many elements to it for a book of this length. The fact that he had to find the answers to three riddles that had confounded the wise for a long time felt too much. It could have been something that was spread over the series, rather than a few chapters. It made the storyline feel a bit ... and then the next piece of the puzzle fell miraculously into place ... and then the next piece ... and, oh look! The final piece has dropped in too. Did anyone else feel this, or was it just me?

Despite the plot, I was impressed enough that I resolved to buy the rest in the series. That's more of a commitment to an author than I've made in a long time.
 
Michelle Paver

Series
Daughters of Eden
1. The Shadow Catcher (2002)
2. Fever Hill (2004)
3. The Serpent's Tooth (2005)

Chronicles of Ancient Darkness
1. Wolf Brother (2004)
2. Spirit Walker (2005)
3. Soul-Eater (2006)

Novels
Without Charity (2000)
A Place in the Hills (2001)


New and Forthcoming Books:
July 2005
The Serpent's Tooth
(Daughters of Eden, book 3)

September 2005
Spirit Walker
(Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, book 2)

Soul-Eater
(Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, book 3)


New and Forthcoming Paperbacks:

July 2005
Fever Hill
(Daughters of Eden, book 2)

June 2006
Spirit Walker
(Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, book 2)

July 2006
The Serpent's Tooth
(Daughters of Eden, book 3)



To the look of things she's a fairly new author... I haven't seen her yet. I'll keep my eyes open for her. :)
 
Despite it being for YA, I might try and borrow from the library...

I was a little worried though with regard to Spirit Walker. According to an article in the newspaper it describes it as 'dark fantasy'. I trust this is a YA version of dark fantasy...:(
 
Rosemary said:
Despite it being for YA, I might try and borrow from the library...

I was a little worried though with regard to Spirit Walker. According to an article in the newspaper it describes it as 'dark fantasy'. I trust this is a YA version of dark fantasy...:(
Click to expand...
Not all are suitable for Y A, Rosemary. Some authors push their works to the limits and it borders Adult literature. Read and let us know. :)
 
Just had lunch with Michelle Paver - what a lovely lady! She's fascinating to talk to and yes, I did admit to having criticised the plot to Wolf Brother here. I was pleased, however, to see it voted the winner of the Warwickshire Book Awards, as I felt it was the best of the short list. Sadly, I failed to get her here for an interview, but then she is rather busy and she's not really a 'computer' person. (She doesn't even have an email address - well not one that she would admit to anyway.)

Having heard her speak about her research trips with such passion, I now feel even more inclined to read the rest of the series.
 
I think it is easy to criticise a book like Wolf Brother until you really see how much went into writing it. The research, and hence the sense of reality, is awe-inspiring. Yes it rattles along at an unrealistic pace - but it's easy to forget that young people live at a faster pace than adults, and time seems to go more slowly. Hence a good writer for children knows how to speed it up.

Paver's brilliance lies in making an ancient world that is so convincing within a narrative that is so 'contemporary' - Torak speaks as if he's wearing Nike trainers, yet you never forget that on his feet are hide moccasins.
 
I've read all three books so far in the series, and I enjoyed them very much. THe attention to detail is fantastic, and the amount of research that went into the books shines through the pages...you have to admire Paver for that
 
I downloaded the audiobook from Audible.co.uk ... it was a free 13-part series with a new chapter coming out each week... i don't know if it's free or not anymore, but I'm on part 10 and I think it's a really good book! the cover caught my eye a couple of times and I was tempted to buy it, but never got round to it.

I love how the wolf calls the boy 'tall tail-less' hehe...

I can't imagine it being made into a film though... hmm might be good...
 
I have read it but don't remember it too much. Something about a wolf and a boy and stuff...and a massive bear.
 
I've read Wolf Brother, and really enjoyed it. I thought the writing style was great, and thought the setting was very well imagined.

For those who have read the next two (now three) books in the series, how does it progress? I haven't picked up a copy of 'Spirit Walker' yet - should I?
 
I think the books get better as they go on - the plot lines get stronger, and you really start to become attached to the characters. There are now four books out, including WB, and I loved all of them. It gets a bit darker though, towards the last couple of books, but really, really great books.

Personally, I can't wait for Oath Breaker! ^_^
 
Michelle paver is a really good author, she goes into great detail of things, without boring you to the slightest, i couldent put it down to be honest, and i plant to finish her new-ish book "Outcast" tonight =] i recomend her to anyone who enjoys a good adventure,
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread starter Similar threads Forum Replies Date
Extollager You wonder if anyone still reads these once well-known fantasy books. Book Discussion 48
althea Has anyone read the Conn Iggulden series - Empire of Salt? Classic SF&F 2
N Anyone interested in read review a UK based erotic horror novel I've written? Writing Discussion 2
Bramandin Does anyone have any suggestions for me to read to see how to get through this next part? Writing Discussion 5
Arkangel So, anyone read White Wolf David Gemmell 8

Similar threads


Back
Top