Storyteller"Once upon a time," begins the narrator of this richly imagined novel. But what follows is no ordinary fantasy full of dragons, elves, and wicked stepmothers. Yes, the tale involves a boy named Jack. But he's not the one who climbed a beanstalk or slew seven giants with one blow. This Jack is a storyteller, a seventeen-year-old farm boy who sets off to seek his fortune in the royal city of Sundar. Jack has many adventures and narrow escapes on his journey. He also meets an assortment of memorable characters--including a talking bird, a one-eyed robber, a mysterious illusionist, and a melancholy princess. Each has a tale to tell, and these accounts, along with Jack's own stories and the framing narrative, are woven into a complex, dazzling tapestry that will capture the reader's imagination. Through them, Edward Myers explores the power--for good and for evil--of the stories we all tell. |
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Common terms and phrases
abruptly Artemisia bad pig beauty believe bird brother Callitti cottage councilors courtiers courtyard crossbow Crow crowd delight door doubloons eyes fate Father fish forest Garth Golden-Eye gazed Geoffrey grew guards Hall hands head hear heard heart illusionist imagine Jack and Stelinda Jack asked Jack exclaimed Jack felt Jack realized Jack spotted Jack Storyteller Jack told Jack's King Alfortis King Alphonse kingdom laugh Listen live King Yoss Long live King Loquasto Majesty marry Mother never nodded once palace peasants Perhaps Prince Yoss Princess Stelinda Queen Celestina reached replied robber Rose Briar Royal City royal storyteller shouted shrugged Silence sneeze someone soon stared stonemason stood suddenly Sundar sure tale talk tell stories There's throne throughout the Realm tree true truth turned village voice walked what's Where's Jack woman Woods words Yorrow Yoss and Zephyrio Yoss's Young Moribundo