Book Review: The Tale Of Despereaux

Do you like dramatic tales? If so, The Tale of Despereaux is the just precise book for you. This is a book with a delightful opening, a hideous middle, and a wonderful finale. This book is completely dedicated to excitement and happiness!

         The Tale of Despereaux is a story about a miniature mouse named Despereaux and whose love relationship with the princess pea. The setting takes place in the walls of a castle, in a library, in a deep, dark dungeon, in a kitchen, in princess pea’s bedroom, in a beautiful banquet hall, in Despereaux’s little dream, and in an old house. The princess pea is a beautiful girl at the age of 12 and she is very loyal to her father, the king. You expect something happy, exciting, and wonderful to happen, but catastrophe occurs when Roscuro kills pea’s mother, the queen, takes control of Miggery Sow, and captures the princess pea. Roscuro is an ugly rat that lives in the dungeon of the castle and he is in “love” with light. He believes that light is the key to life. Miggery Sow is a poor, 12 year old girl with no parents and she is a serving maid at the castle. You may wonder, “Is the ending good or bad?” The answer is yes…and no, but you’ll just have to read this great book to find out yourself.  Here is what I can tell you. The best part of this book is when Despereaux and the princess pea become great friends and have great adventures together. The worst part of the story is when Roscuro falls into the queen’s soup and sadly, the queen dies (you may think “Ha-ha! That simply can’t be true!”, but sadly it is). 
         
         DiCamillo is an author who has a lot of humor and who makes readers really want to read on and to find out what’s going to happen. As DiCamillo states: “Reader, you must know that an interesting fate (sometimes involving rats, sometimes not) awaits everyone, mouse or man, who does not conform.” In this book, you’ll probably ask, “Why does Roscuro have to be in the story?” Well, the answer is that the story has to have a villain and Roscuro is just there to fill in that role just perfectly.

         If I could rate this book from 0 through 10, I would rate it 9.5. As a booklist starred review says, “Forgiveness, light, love, and soup. These essential ingredients combine into a tale that is soul stirring as it is delicious.” The Tale of Despereaux can lure people in just like hungry fish looking at fish bait. If you want a “whisker licking” tale, I highly recommend The Tale of Despereaux to readers who want to start the Newberry award, readers who love fiction stories, and readers who love stories with a slight dip of French. Adieu!