Are you a fan of Big Bad Wolf Books?
For those who aren’t familiar, Big Bad Wolf Books is a yearly book sale that happens once every year. It’s an event that my fiance and I personally look forward to because it’s a great opportunity to buy amazing books at a discount! The event started on April 14th and my fiance and I splurged on a few books. Amongst these books was a wonderful novel by Kate DiCamillo titled ‘The Tale of Desperaux’.
It was a children’s book, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed reading it. However, before I move forward with the review, let me share to you the synopsis from goodreads.com
Synopsis
Welcome to the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who is in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It is also the story of a rat called Roscuro, who lives in the darkness and covets a world filled with light. And it is the story of Miggery Sow, a slow-witted serving girl who harbors a simple, impossible wish. These three characters are about to embark on a journey that will lead them down into a horrible dungeon, up into a glittering castle, and, ultimately, into each other’s lives. What happens then? As Kate DiCamillo would say: Reader, it is your destiny to find out.
Book Review
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo is a beautiful and inspiring children’s novel that left me feeling uplifted and enchanted. I was completely captivated by the story, and I found myself annotating the book with my flag-its and highlighting the quotes that I resonated with. I cannot recommend it highly enough to readers of all ages!
What I loved most about this book is the way it inspires readers to be brave and kind, even in the face of adversity. Desperaux grew up being made to feel that he was different and he was betrayed by his own family. Yet, despite all this, he is brave, curious, and full of hope. In the middle of the story, he sets out on a quest to save a beautiful princess from a terrible fate. Along the way, he encounters many challenges and how he faces each obstacle shows readers that courage isn’t about the heroic antics. It lies in the decision to face your fears no matter how scared you are because the odds seem impossible.
Along the way, he encounters many challenges and meets a cast of unforgettable characters, including a cunning rat, an ambitious servant girl, and a grumpy old cook. Each of these characters has an interesting back story of their own. For example, the story of the rat shows readers how a heart can be corrupted by resentment.
The writing is beautifully crafted, with vivid descriptions that bring the story to life in a way that is both magical and enchanting. The characters are all well-developed, with unique personalities and motivations that make them feel like real people. I found myself rooting for Despereaux throughout the book, and I was completely invested in his journey.
There are so many uplifting quotes and messages throughout the novel that left me feeling inspired and motivated to be a better person. Despite being a children’s book, it has a depth and complexity that is sure to resonate with readers of all ages.
Overall, The Tale of Despereaux is a wonderful book that I would recommend to anyone. It is a children’s novel, but it has a depth and complexity that is sure to appeal to readers of all ages. If you are looking for a heartwarming and uplifting story that will leave you feeling inspired and full of hope, then this is the book for you. I cannot recommend it highly enough!
Quotable Quotes
“Stories are light. Light is precious in a world so dark.”
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― Kate DiCamillo, The Tale of Despereaux
“There are those hearts, reader, that never mend again once they are broken. Or if they do mend, they heal themselves in a crooked and lopsided way, as if sewn together by a careless craftsman.”
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― Kate DiCamillo, The Tale of Despereaux
“Reader, you must know that an interesting fate (sometimes involving rats, sometimes not) awaits almost everyone, mouse or man, who does not conform.”
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― Kate DiCamillo, The Tale of Despereaux
“Forgiveness, reader, is, I think, something very much like hope and love – a powerful, wonderful thing.”
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― Kate DiCamillo, The Tale of Despereaux
Audaysciously 
Great review! I will try reading this book 🙂
Thank you!