The Book Without Words by Avi is a strange, chaotic novella set in a medieval and gothic time period in an alternate universe.
An eccentric old man named Thorston has devoted his entire life to look for the two greatest secrets of life- the making of gold and immortality. Seconds away from a breakthrough, he keels over, dead. His servant, Sybil, and talking pet raven, Odo, decide that their only hope is to discover the two secrets and build a better life for themselves.
The ultimate theme of this book plays on human nature itself, as the two secrets themselves represent man’s greatest flaws- greed and the desire for immortality.
This morally-charged storyline coupled with Avi’s odd, emotionless, and almost creepy narrating style makes for an intriguingly gruesome novella that turns the happy-go-lucky magic of youth into something curiously corrupted and cruel.
-Vaidehi B.
The Book Without Words by Avi is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library.
Although your description of this book is succinct, it is very easy to understand nonetheless. Thanks!
This book sounds interesting…I’ll be sure to check it out. Nice review!