Thrump-O-Moto

by James Clavell Narrated by Not Yet Available

Overview

From the bestselling author of Sh¿gun and King Rat comes a richly illustrated children's story that takes the reader on a fantastic journey through a magical world.

Thrump-O-Moto is a little wizard and apprentice hero who, though sometimes puzzled and afraid, knows that the mightiest forces in the universe always bow before the brave and good. By chance (and a bungled spell) he finds himself traveling not to the shores of Japan to visit his grandmother, but to the Australian outback where he stumbles upon Patricia sitting in the shade. Discovering that Patricia has been caught in the clutches of Nurk-u the Bad, the two of them set out on a noble quest to rescue her and defeat the evil wizard, finding the gifts of healing and courage in the process.

As we follow their magical journey through what seems to be many years (or is it just the length of Patricia's afternoon nap?), Thrump-O-Moto explores a world found only in dreams-a realm of wonder, enchantment, delight, and ever-lurking danger; a place where magic spells are a very serious matter indeed ...

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

An Australian girl, Patricia, who was sick when she was a child and can't walk, meets Thrump-O-moto, a wizard-in-training from Japan. He takes her with him to his mother, Ka-chan. Patricia starts to use a walking stick instead of her crutches. They visit Grandfather Ten, who suggests that the way to cure Patricia permanently is for her to have Essence of Sunset Primroses, only available in England. Thrump-O-moto and Patricia there meet a leprechaun-like wizard who helps them, but they also battle Muldoona, Hag Queen of the Forest, and prevail. Patricia returns to Australia; because of the special timespan of the wizards' world, she's back by tea-time. Her father thinks she's been dreaming, until she gets up and walks. This is a well-intentioned but disappointing tale from the master storyteller. It's overlong and lacking in originality. Characters speak stiffly, forget spells when they need them and then conveniently remember them moments later. While readers may enjoy the elaborate pictures, filled with exotic details, the spreads are occasionally out-of-sync with the facts in the story. (All ages)

School Library Journal

Gr 5-6 Young Patricia, drowsing in the shade of a jacaranda, is whisked (or rather, ``wozzed'') away to Japan, and to a series of adventures, by an intrepid if inept apprentice wizard. Precious language (``oh dear-O-dreadful moto!'' says a Japanese character; ``Good-oh and dinky-di!'' says a Britisher) actually suits a theme explored with notable superficiality. Through diseaseor Nurk-u The Bad, depending on one's view of realityPatricia has lost the use of her legs. By sipping the Essence of Sunset Primroses (which Clavell insistently calls ESP) and saying a mantra, she walks again. Her magic therapy is supposed to include patience, too, but since results are immediate, she hardly needs that. Overdone design and illustrations can't rescue the story, but they do catch (and sometimes fool) the eye; text is framed in patterned borders; pictures vary greatly in style, size, and point-of-view; there are plenty of odd shapes and visual effects. Like the recent extracts from Herriott's books, demand for this will come largely from adult readers. John Peters, New York Public Library

Product Details

BN ID:	2940191126722
Publisher:	Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Publication date:	12/03/2024
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years