MIMUS

Narrator Maxwell Caulfield transports us to Vinland and the idyllic life of Florin, prince of the land. Then Florin travels to Moltovia, and, before we know it, he's captured and his world is turned upside down. The cruel King Theodo imprisons Florin's father and places Florin under the tutelage of Mimus, the jester. His father's very life depends on Florin's ability to entertain. Caulfield so strongly narrates the abrupt changes in Florin's life that listeners happily go along for the ride. Caulfield brings this world and all its characters alive with animation. Listeners will feel the complex kindness of Mimus and Florin's hope for rescue, or escape. S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

November 1, 2007
Gr 7 Up-King Theodos treachery has not only trapped Prince Florin and his father, King Philip, but its also led to the 12-year-old princes cruel apprenticeship with Theodos court jester, Mimus, in this suspenseful novel (Annick Press, 2005) by Lilli Thal. The older jester is not free either since his role as royal buffoon often includes king-orchestrated mockery that ends with the victims dishonor or death. Held captive by threats to his father and other nobles in the dungeons, Florin struggles to retain his dignity while waiting for a planned rescue by his countrymen. Despite trials of starvation and loneliness, Florin finds comfort with unlikely alliesBenzo, a kitchen boy, and Theodos only daughter, Princess Alex. Through it all, Florin matures as he confronts painful truths about his father and accepts unexpected help from Mimus. When Florins troops finally arrive, he and Mimus intervene to turn revenge into reconciliation. Narrator Maxwell Caulfield offers distinctive portrayals of every personality from the kings silky scorn to the jesters pandering derision. John Brownjohns translation from the German of Thals novel mixes humor, faith, torture, and heroism with a look at medieval court life. Mimus also teaches middle and high school students lessons about treating themselves and others with respect."Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT"

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