Reviews

The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread by Kate DiCamillo

jenmangler's review against another edition

2.0

I'm a fan of DiCamillo's writing, but this one didn't engage me as much as her other books. Still, I like the many things about this one, especially the passages about forgiveness.

chowmeyow's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

dirkjevdh's review

adventurous dark hopeful inspiring mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

nwalley5's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

snowmanforhire's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

esc10615's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

mrabbott's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful

ardentlyaugustine's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I cried while nearing the end of this book.

I especially teared up when Roscuro told Mig that nobody cared what she wanted. She was told that for years and finally somebody cared to ask about what she wanted and it was Princess Pea.

I loved this book a lot. I admire the message it wanted to convey and how it was communicated throughout the whole book. This book definitely captures a light-hearted take on the experience of being a living thing with a heart and mind that feels and learns. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Animal cruelty, Fatphobia, and Child abuse

mdevlin923's review against another edition

3.0

Both Desperaux Tilling (a mouse) and Chiaroscuro (a rat) are both fascinated by light and beauty and humans. And they are both shunned from their communities because of it. Chiaroscuro is tortured, and Desperaux is sentenced to the dungeon...where rats and the dark swallow mice up. But Desperaux's love for the princess gives him inspiration and bravery, and through his courage he saves the princess from Roscuro's devious plot.

A wonderful choice to read aloud to the family.

victorialynch's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25