By: Lloyd Alexander Publisher: Firebird Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: Firebird Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 256 Publication Date: June 10, 2002 Reading Level: Young Adult
Product Description: Mickle, once a common street urchin, is now the queen of Westmark. The kingdom is thriving-yet, at the same time, it is strangely restless. Ghosts of the past lurk everywhere. And the evil minister Cabbarus, banished from Westmark, is plotting to seize the throne. Theo remembers a time when he was the famed Kestrel, fighting battles that threatened to kill his soul. Now he once again must join in the struggle. Who will at last command the fate of Westmark?
"The chronicle begun in Westmark . . . is brought to a brilliant climax in a novel that skillfully completes this landmark award-winning trilogy." (Booklist, starred review)
Bittersweet conclusion to a remarkable trilogy Lloyd Alexander really is a master of his craft.
The Beggar Queen is the final installment of the Westmark trilogy. In this book, Queen Mickle/Augusta and her country face the ultimate challenge when deposed chief minister Cabbarus returns to Westmark in force to overthrow the monarchy and set up a dictatorship. Westmark, already in turmoil over the recent war with neighboring kingdom Regia, must decide what it truly wants in its government and how it wants to be ruled.
The Beggar Queen is fast-paced, non-stop action. Mickle's governmental reforms have barely taken effect before Cabbarus returns. Even the "good guys" are odds with each other, with differing political ideals and different thoughts on how to achieve those goals. Compromises are made and bargains are struck, but with any political manuevering, the true outcomes cannot be foreseen and characters have to choose between blind faith in each other or acting on what they feel is the best course of action, regardless of the promises made.
The Beggar Queen strikes a more serious note than the first two books in the trilogy. Even Count Las Bombas holds back on the offhand, witty comments we're used to reading from before. The tone of the overall book is heavy and solemn - even if the characters win the war, the future after that is very uncertain. It's very bittersweet, all the way to the end, because even if there are happy endings for our friends in Westmark, it's not a perfect ending.
This series (with the exception of the first book, Westmark) is probably a little too deep and heavy for younger readers. This would be a good series for pre-teens or teenagers, especially those with an interest in politics. Overall, an excellent read and trilogy, and highly recommended for any lover of good literature.
Alexander's Adventures? I've enjoyed most of Lloyd Alexander's non-fantasy- what I'll call "Fredonia" (in deference to the Marx brothers) adventures. This one seemed to ring a little too close to *The Prisoner of Zenda*- a wonderful story in its own right. Go to the original
Confusing I think that the book The Beggar Queen is a little confusing because its just that like all of a sudden a character pops up out of no where. ANd i really dont understand it! i have to take a test on it tomorrow and i really dont understand it and i am having to read a HALF of the book tonite then skimmin and scannin it ... so yeh
~~Katie
Confusing Swashbuckler I definitely prefer Lloyd Alexander's fantasy world to his realistic fiction set in mini monarchies. Perhaps it's because I have not read the first two books in his Westmark series, but I was confused by the very complex plot--multiple schemes and counterschemes of many characters--to keep things straight. I was relatively indifferent to most of their opposing political goals, though I sympathized with the romantic threads. It was not clear which characters I was suppposed to support over others. Besides the casts of thousands, Beggar Queen presents most of them with nicknames which do not always indicate gender. Also readers must perform mental gymnastics to keep track of events which are happening concurrently to several charactrers, resulting in literary as well as political confusion.
This book includes the usual Adventure Tale traits: fast-paced action, diabolical subterfuge--fiendishly foiled--loyalty, sacrifice and military strategy. Never underestimate the role and the will of the long-trampled People to empower their own destiny! On a a serious note, the author examines the case for and against Monarchy in general. I seriously urge Alexander afficionados to read the first two books in this trilogy before tackling this one. His fans will enjoy this book the more for recognizing many old friends and enemies from the previous stories. And for ultimately determining the fate of Westmark. ???
An Amazing Read I remember reading this book for the first time - over eight years ago as a ten-year-old. Each of the several dozen times since that I have re-read it, I discover new things to love. Alexander writes so beautifully that not a single word is wasted; he creates images that linger in the reader's head for much longer than the average writer's creations. His protagonist, Theo, is so vivid, so real, so painfully human that you agonize with him over every decision and gasp with him at every tug on his heartstrings. You also laugh with him, but the humor in this and the other Westmark trilogy members is comic relief. I've read that this series is too dark for children, but I would say that, for an thoughtful reader, the Westmark trilogy is perfect. Although the series has been targeted by publishers toward a younger age group, teenagers and adults (I convinced my mother to read the series) would appreciate it as well.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Tailipoe
Trevor
