The Thief Lord

Brilliantly narrated by Simon Jones, this enchanting tale of adventure, mischief, and magical outcomes is utterly charming. Jones expertly delivers the many quirky characters and sets the Venetian scene perfectly. Orphaned boys Bo and Prosper are running away from a mean aunt. They find themselves taken in by street kids who live in an abandoned movie theater. Italian phrases by the rascally gang, well handled by Jones, add atmosphere. The Thief Lord will steal your imagination as it delivers clever twists and turns throughout. This blend of Jones's practiced storytelling and the magic of Funke's lovely tale will leave you spellbound. D.L.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, Winner of 2004 ALA/ YALSA Recording (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine

November 11, 2002
Jones's (The Devil's Own; Brideshead Revisited) deep, sonorous voice and British accent set the perfect mood for German author Funke's adventurous tale of orphans on the run in Venice. Though set in modern-day Italy, Funke's story could comfortably sit alongside Oliver Twist
and Peter Pan; she incorporates elements from both these timeless works as she introduces brothers Prosper and Bo and their cohorts. Having run away from their cruel aunt and guardian (who wants to adopt only younger brother Bo), Prosper and Bo find themselves in the alleys and canals of Venice, a city their deceased mother spoke of with adoration. The boys find shelter, sustenance and camaraderie via a band of child thieves, led by a bold adolescent who calls himself the Thief Lord. Intrigue, suspense and humor abound as the boys outwit, then befriend, a local detective and a wealthy dowager all on the way to discovering a merry-go-round with magical powers. Funke leaves a few loose ends dangling, but most listeners won't mind as Jones reads at a good clip, catching them up in the excitement of the children's exploits and the colorful surroundings. Simultaneous release with Scholastic/Chicken House hardcover.
Ages 9-up.