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Review at MyShelf.Com | ||||||||||||||
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by Patrick Carman In the world of Atherton, each person’s destiny is strictly determined. Edgar lives on Tabletop and tends the fig trees. Despite being the best worker there, he’s bullied and despised by the overseer of the figs for his spirit and imagination. But Edgar has more than that, he has a secret mission to discover a "treasure" left for him by a man he barely remembers - a man he believes might have been his father. This mission leads Edgar to grave danger, astounding revelations, and unexpected friends. Though not exactly fast-paced, Atherton has more than enough adventure and danger to capture young readers. And the unique world Carman creates is truly fascinating as it unfolds through Edgar’s adventures. For me, though, the best part of the experience was the incredible reading of the text by Jonathan Davis - in fact, "reading" seems inadequate to describe the experience. It was a vocal performance to rival any I’ve heard before. The listener truly believes in the many voices of Atherton - different ages, different sexes, and vastly different personalities. While the music also does an excellent job of setting the tone and transitions, it also points up that this isn’t a fast-paced story, but an amazing unfolding of events, places, and relationships. The depth and beauty of the language and performance make this a great audio book for kids, but also incredibly enjoyable for adults, too. Certainly, it’s a book preparing for it’s sequel but I found it dazzling in its own right. |
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Atherton: