I just learned that dear, wonderful, lovely Brian Jacques died this weekend.
I am crying.
Jacques was an engaging and entertaining presenter at conferences and at book signings. He was a raconteur who threw himself into his storytelling, physically and vocally. His roguish charm was accessorized with eyes that really did twinkle.
The Redwall books were part of the scenery, here in the entwood, for years. entling no. 2 adored the stories. For a time her purses for daily use were selected, not for their fashion-forward style but by the criteria: would a hardcover Redwall book fit inside? entling no.3 similarly exhausted multiple bindings of hardcover and paperback copies by reading and re-reading them. Redwall books have covered many square feet of bedroom carpet over the years.
Jacques wrote another series based on the legend of the Flying Dutchman, Castaways of the Flying Dutchman
He seemed very moved by the devotion of his fans, especially boys. When I attended one of his signings at a local bookstore years ago, I was touched by the reverence with which two boys approached his table, their thick tomes held out towards him for his signature. I was positively teary watching Jacques speak with them at length. The kids glowed with the warmth of his reception.
His fans kept reading the books even as they entered college and beyond. T.A. Barron
It occurs to me that I have not noticed kids checking out Jacques's book as often these days, maybe the Erin Hunter Warriors
Brian Jacques website