The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that there's a fair amount of violence here, some rather brutal, though none graphically described. Many deaths occur by a variety of weapons and methods, and a major character is beaten unconsciousness.
Families can talk about the popular literary theme of setting out into the world to find one's fortune. Do people really do that? Do you expect to one day? Is there a modern equivalent that, perhaps, involves less violence?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Matt Berman
Published just a few months after the author's death, Lloyd Alexander's final book is a lighthearted romp through an exotic fairytale landscape from the Arabian Nights. Though his characters for the most part come straight from central casting, Alexander treats them with such warmth and fondness for the foibles of humanity that it's hard to mind. Certainly kids won't -- they'll be delighted, especially by Baksheesh, a big-talking old scoundrel who works hard to hide his good heart.
This is a rousing adventure of the old-fashioned kind; a young man out in the world for the first time, seeking his fortune, and finding exotic locales, villains, heroes, wise men, danger, romance, and his place in the world. It's a travelogue, with humor, suspense, mystery, and a whiff of fantasy; the kind of story that used to keep kids up late at night, under the covers with a flashlight. Can this kind of thing appeal to kids growing up in the modern world of high-tech wizardry and video games? Check for a flickering light under your kid's door after bedtime -- then you'll know.
From The Book
Without looking, he reached behind him and pulled a small, thick volume from a shelf. The leather cover was scuffed, the stitching had come loose. The pages were mottled and dog-eared, nearly falling out of the binding. He fondled it with obvious affection.
"A curious collection of old tales. I promise you will find it most enjoyable."
Plot Summary:
Orphaned Carlo, living as an apprentice with his uncle, is given a treasure map by a mysterious bookseller, who promptly vanishes. Finally cast out by his uncle, he makes his way to the Middle East, where he sets out along the Golden Road to find the treasure. Taking up with a lazy and dishonest camel-puller, a girl out for revenge, and a wandering philosopher, he encounters caravans, brigands, violent nomads, and plenty of adventure on the way to discovering what treasure really is.
Related Books:
Other Books by Lloyd Alexander:
The Arkadians
The Illyrian Adventure
The Prydain Chronicles
Time Cat: The Remarkable Journeys of Jason and Gareth
The Wizard in the Tree
The Iron Ring
More Old-Fashioned Adventures:
Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
The Saga of Erik the Viking by Terry Jones
The Pirate's Son by Geraldine McCaughrean
City of the Beasts by Isabel Allende
The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer
Operation Red Jericho:L The Guild of Specialists, Book 1 by Joshua Mowll
Related Web Sites:
Author's Site
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ViolenceBeatings; battles with injuries and deaths; murder by knife, bow and arrow, throat-slitting, and fire. |
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Social BehaviorMajor characters are less than honest, but loyal. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoDrinking and drunkenness. |
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