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Title: The Scarecrow and His Servant
ISBN: 0307280748
Author:
Philip Pullman
Publicate Date: 2005-09-13
Publish: 2005-09-13
List Price: $30.00
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: Audio CD
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $17.84
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $13.95
Amazon Merchant Price: $22.80
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| Customer Review: |
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1: the scarecrow and his servant
A delightful, laugh-out-loud read, for children and adults alike. From the wonderful Phillip Pullman .
The scarecrow, lovingly constructed by the ailing farmer - and complete with turnip head - comes to life when struck by lightening. Then his travels start. He meets young Jack - all alone in the world - and says to him :" Here you are, an honest and willing youth and here am I, a Scarecrow of enterprise and talent. What would you say if I offered you the position of my personal servant ? "
Jack accepts - and their adventures begin. A rollicking tale complete with military skirmishes, pirates, lost treasure. A wonderful cast of birds, led by Granny Raven. And the villianous Buffalonis, intent on destroying all that is beautiful in the Scarecrow's true home, Spring Valley.
The story comes to its climactic finale in the courtroom where the Buffalonis plot to deprive the noble scarecrow of Spring Valley. The final chapter will leave you laughing with joy. And renewed appreciation of Phillip Pullman's exceptional talent.
Read the book with an open mind. Do not compare this with the famous Dark Materials trilogy, as some readers inevitably will do. Enjoy it purely as a story. A multi-layered story. Children will enjoy this story on their level. The astute adult reader will gain something more : The courtroom scene with its costumed pomposity and legal terminology " non independentem judgi nogoodi " is a clever broadside at the theatre of the court.
Pullman's use of the English language - and a lexicon of names as rich as J.K.Rowling's - will leave the reader wanting more from this author. I loved the Dark Materials trilogy and all its complexities. This is different - funny for the children and for the adult a clever, escapist and wholly enjoyable delight.
And where oh where is some clever film maker to bring Pullman's stories to life ? And to bring children the richness of story telling that is so important to them ? The Golden Compass, with its pivotal plot change, fell far short of the mark. Thank goodness the Harry Potter films did not err in this direction, but remained true to what J.K.Rowling intended. And in so doing, opened the door on a complex and wonderful world. The same could be achieved with the Phillip Pullman stories - the work of a master storyteller .
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2: This is a fun book, lighthearted and sure to please
This book can compared to the likes of Charlie and the Chocolate factory, in its fantastical portrayal of events so absurd they can only gain believability by an author of Pullmans talents. This book is a pleasure to read, and is a whimiscal journey through a fun and well told story of a boy and his scarecrow.
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3: Surprisingly Delighted
I purchased this book at LAX minutes before boarding my plane. My selection was based for the most part on the cover. A turnip head scarecrow was too hard to resist. I was immediately hooked and my fear of flying diminshed. (My fellow passenger was curious why a grown woman was reading a child's book.) I could see this as a movie - great characters and graphically interesting.
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4: Highly Recommended
I read this book to my 8-year old daughter. Every night, she couldn't wait til i come home from work, cuddle up under a blanket, and read it to her. She laughed, cried, and learned, and...we both fell in love with the way this scarecrow looked at life. 3 weeks later and she is still associating with, and laughing about, the positive way this creature interpreted life.
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5: Delightful Book!
Mr.Pandolfo sits down one day and decides to make a scarecrow. But the night he sets it out it is stolen and carried from place to place. Lightning strikes the scaercrow, mysteriously bringing him to life. He finds an orphan boy named Jack, and the scarecrow and his new friend set out for adventure.
This is a bit lighter than the magnificent HIS DARK MATERIALS trilogy (both in story and substance) but will be eagerly devoured by the auther's fans.
RATING:B+
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