Skellig

The re-release of David Almond's audiobook begins with reflections on how his character Skellig inspired the novel a decade ago. This intriguing character and Almond's energetic reading usher listeners into an enigmatic plot. Who is the near-dead winged creature Michael discovers eating dead flies in the garage of his new home? Almond breathlessly delivers the mounting mysteries as Michael and his new friend, Mina, try to understand and care for the fragile Skellig. The production also includes Jane Entwistle's narration of Almond's short story "Journey to the Archaeopteryx," a story-within-a-story that takes place as Mina marvels about winged dinosaurs. Two selections from the SKELLIG opera provide musical interpretation of the story at the end of the production. S.W. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

March 29, 1999
British author Almond confidently narrates this recording of his first novel for young people. Michael and his family have just moved to a new home, which proves more dramatic than any of them had imagined. The house is a true fixer-upper, and Michael's new baby sister, born prematurely, is seriously ill. While his parents are consumed with worry about the baby, Michael is left alone with his own fears. But when he explores the house's crumbling garage, he discovers a frail creature with wings who becomes a most magical friend. It's hard to say whether the creature, which eventually introduces itself as Skellig, is a man, an angel or a ghost. As Michael and his new neighbor Mina spend time with Skellig, they learn about the transforming power of caring and love as they tend to Skellig's infirmities and cater to his fondness for Chinese takeout. Part mystery, part fantasy, Almond's story is made all the more memorable by his easygoing delivery and distinctive accent. Ages 8-up.

When the match is excellent, who can imagine a better reader for any novel than its author? How serendipitous, then, to have David Almond read his mystical, mysterious novel, almost without pause for breath. When the baby comes too early, just after the move to the dilapidated old house, Michael is left too much to his own devices. It's then that he finds Skellig, nearly dead. Is he a man? An owl? An angel? And what does he have to teach Michael and his new friend, Mina, in his squeaky, breathy voice, about life and death and the connections between the two? Almond delivers a memorable reading of this seamless Printz Honor book. The story is punctuated by the most evocative and haunting music! T.B. (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine