Book of a Thousand Days
By Shannon Hale; Read by Chelsea Mixon and the Full Cast Family
6 CDs – 7.5 hours – [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Full Cast Audio
Published: 2008
ISBN: 9781934180228
Themes: / Fantasy / Fairy Tale / YA /
Listen to a sample: HERE.
Book of a Thousand Days is a reimagining of a little-known fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. I will admit, I did not remember it from my childhood, and I read all the fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm.
It is the story of Dashti, a mucker who becomes a lady’s maid and swears to serve Lady Saren, even when Lady Saren is bricked into a watchtower for seven years as punishment for refusing to marry the man her father chose for her.
Dashti starts writing in a journal when they are bricked up in the watchtower with a well of fresh water and enough dried food to last the seven years. She writes to record the events of their imprisonment (in case they don’t come out alive) and to keep herself sane.
Rats infest their food supply and Lady Saren is visited by two suitors. One is the man she has corresponded with for years, the other the man her father wants her to marry. A man she fears and despises. When food supplies spoil or are devoured by rats, all seems lost. It is then that both Dashti and Lady Saren must use all their wits and strength to survive what lies ahead.
Full Cast Audio does a great job of voicing the story and the way Dashti relates events are a lot of fun.
You don’t need to be familiar with the fairy tale to enjoy the book. Shannon Hale has a way of telling a tale that keeps your attention. I will admit that time passed much quicker than I expected while I was listening to this book.
I highly recommend Book of a Thousand Days.
Posted by Charlene C. Harmon
