Mimus

A fully realized antagonist gives extra depth to the story of a prince in hard times and the fool that grudgingly befriends him. John Brownjohn's translation into English from its original German is terrific.

I am victim to what many other reviewers have said about this book, I picked it up on a whim and didn't cherish high hopes for it. Within the first chapter though, I could tell I would enjoy reading it. Lilli Thal's writing style borders on romantic, entwining fantasy and poem seemlessly into her prose. Normally I hate books that do that, and I usually skip over the songs the authors put in as I can't be bothered to read them, but every tale and every silly song that she wrote enhances the story. Each line has a second meaning, and it's up to you, dear reader, and our young hero to decipher it. I personally can't wait until someone else I know reads it so I can discuss the book at length!

I bought this book on a whim, in a shipment of a lot of other books. It wasn't the one I was particularly looking forward to. But...wow. It was amazing. Dazzling, spectacular, original. And amazingly well-written, even though it's a translation...good work, John Brownjohn! It's not black and white, but woven with multiple shades of gray, portraying the evil King Theodo as not-so-evil, Florin's own father as not-so-perfect, the haughty princess Alix as somehow kind as well, and the seemingly cold and heartless Mimus as a toughened but tragic individual. I particularly liked the scene where Florin is being held by dagger-point by Theodo's henchman, and Theodo's son by Florin's father's. They're at a stalemate, unmoving, until Mimus breaks in (greeting the guards) with, "We're playing an amusing game called, 'If you stab mine, I'll stab yours!' I'm acting as mediator." A few paragraphs later, when Florin's father king Philip asks what Mimus suggests, the jester replies, "Turn yourselves inside out and let the wind blow through your hearts. Turn the sky upside down and start afresh. Leave the dead to the dead and beg forgiveness of the living. And, since you won't manage to do any of that, sit before the fire and weave baskets!" Well said. Rating: Very Good

Congratulations to Lilli Thal on her first place 'Gold' win in the 2005 ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year Awards! Translated from Thal's native German by John Brownjohn, 'Mimus' is a prodigious tale of a young prince who is forced to become a Fool when tricked by his father's old enemy, King Theodo. The experience is humbling for the sheltered Prince Florin, who doesn't understand why King Theodo loathes his family so deeply. Revenge is taken upon the entire kingdom of Moltovia and Florin's father, King Phillip. The story has a subtle message regarding the double-edged sword of revenge and the need for forgiveness, even if the crimes committed are horrid. There's also humor weaved skillfully on the pages. The banter between Mimus (King Theodo's Jester) and Prince Florin, who becomes the Jester's pupil, is very witty. The jokes and riddles lighten the horrors of torture and war. I'm hoping to find a sequel to Mimus, for I already miss the 'poetic jousting' between the Jester and Prince Florin. Chrissy K. McVay author of 'Souls of the North Wind', Silver winner in 2005 ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year Awards.

I just finished reading MIMUS and I can't find enough good things to say about it. Original, funny, frightening, full of compassion, and written in clear, unpretentious prose, this is one of the best, most heart-warming stories of the year. Buy this book. You won't regret it.