So here's the thing about Redwall - I bought this audiobook thinking it would be a nice, calm bedtime listen for the kids. Maybe something to wind down after the chaos of dinner and bath time. Ha. HAHA. This is not a calm audiobook. This is an audiobook that comes in HOT.
But honestly? My kids are obsessed now, so joke's on me.
When the Author IS the Magic
Brian Jacques narrating his own book is something special. Like, really special. The man was clearly born to tell stories out loud - there's this warmth in his voice that makes you feel like you're sitting by a fire while a beloved uncle spins a tale. He does ALL the voices, and I mean all of them. The brave little mouse Matthias sounds earnest and young. Cluny the Scourge (best villain name ever, by the way) sounds absolutely terrifying in the best way. And Basil Stag Hare? My seven-year-old now speaks in a ridiculous British accent at the dinner table because of that character. Thanks, Brian.
The full cast adds even more layers to it. There are musical bits, sound effects - it's almost like a radio play from the old days. My kids were RIVETED during car rides. Even the toddler stopped asking for Frozen songs, which is basically a miracle.
Fair Warning: This Book is LOUD
Okay, I need to be honest here. If you're looking for something soothing? Something to drift off to? This ain't it. There is a lot of yelling. Battle scenes, dramatic confrontations, passionate speeches about honor and courage - Jacques delivers all of it at full volume. I made the mistake of having this on during nap time once and Sophie woke up during a particularly intense Cluny moment. Lesson learned.
But for school drop-off? For that 25-minute window where the kids are strapped in and I need them entertained? Perfect. They're engaged, they're asking questions about what's going to happen next, and nobody is fighting over who touched whose car seat. That's a win in my book.
Matthias, Mice, and Real Stakes
I read Redwall as a kid, and I was curious if it would feel dated. It doesn't. Matthias's journey from clumsy young mouse to hero is genuinely moving. The abbey feels cozy and real - all those descriptions of feasts and gardens and the peaceful life the mice are trying to protect. And then Cluny shows up with his rat army and everything gets intense.
The violence is there - this isn't sanitized. Characters die. There's fighting and blood and real stakes. My kids handled it fine (they've seen worse in Disney movies, let's be real), but it's worth knowing going in. This isn't a gentle picture book story. It's an adventure with teeth.
At almost 11 hours, it's a commitment. We listened over about two weeks, and honestly the length worked for us - gave the kids something to look forward to in the car. The pacing is quick enough that we never hit a wall where they got bored. Even I found myself genuinely curious about how Matthias would find the legendary sword of Martin the Warrior. (Spoiler: it involves some genuinely clever puzzle-solving.)
Car Time Approved, Nap Time Absolutely Not
The kids have already asked to restart it. So... yes. Yes, we will be listening again.
If you've got kids who love adventure, who get excited about brave heroes and scary villains and epic quests? This is the good stuff. Jacques clearly loved these characters, and that love comes through in every single voice he does. Skip it if you want quiet, or if your kids are sensitive to loud voices and intense scenes - maybe wait a year or two.
My only real complaint is that now I have to buy the rest of the series. There are like 22 books. My wallet is crying but my kids are happy, so I guess that's parenting. Though honestly, Being Mortal is the one I save for my solo car time when I need something that hits different.
Plan accordingly.
