Monday, January 16, 2017

The Inquisitor's Tale: Written by Adam Gidvitz and Illuminated by Hatem Aly

Image result for the inquisitor's tale


Memorable Quotes:  
Distinguishing the voice of God and the voices of those around us is no easy task.
What difference was there between them, except the language in which he prayed?
It's too much...Life is.  How you can have such pain and such...such triumph...all mixed together.
What you would hate to have done to you--do not do to other people.
You are like pomegranates split open.  Even the emptiest among you are as full of good as a pomegranate is of seed.

Recommended for students who enjoy reading fantasy, history and/or are interested in medieval stories, human stories

The Inquisitor's Tale Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz is the story of  Jeanne, a peasant girl who has visions, William, a monk who has incredible physical strength, and Jacob, who can heal the sick.  Even though the three of them are outcasts (for one reason or another) from their own people, they find kindred spirits in each other.  Together, they can conquer anything--or can they?

Adam Gidwitz has presented this story in such an interesting and unique way.  The story of  the children and their Holy Dog is told through alternating voices in an inn one night as each narrator picks up where the last one ends. Added to the original manner in which the story is told are the beautiful illuminations of Hatem Aly.  Mr. Gidwitz and Mr. Ally are truly a dream team and should be incredibly proud of what they have created here.

While this story was entertaining and quite lovely, the more I read, the more I realized just how much this story relates to our world today.  It is an allegory to our times of discrimination and hate that are still very much a part of current society.

From the explanation of the illumation process to the detailed bibliography, this book is a masterpiece in every sense of the word.  I am sure this book will show up on several award lists--and deservedly so.

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