'Redwall' Author Brian Jacques Dies at 71

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By Rocco Staino February 8, 2011

British author Brian Jacques, who wrote the "Redwall" (Penguin) adventure series, died of a sudden heart attack on February 5 in Liverpool, England. He was 71.

Set in mythical Mossflower woods, Jacques's 21-book fantasy series takes place throughout different periods in the history of the world of Redwall and has sold over 20 million copies in more than 20 countries.

With its anthropomorphic animals—such as the mouse featured in Mattimeo (1989), the squirrel in Triss (2002), and the sub-species fox in Marlfox (1999)—Jacques's books are considered frontrunners to some of the most popular contemporary fantasy series.

"Although today 300-page fantasies seem normal, when Jacques first introduced the 'Redwall' books, these talking animal sagas were unique," says children's literature scholar Anita Silvey. "Even the most reluctant readers found themselves drawn in, devouring volume after volume."

Jacques's books are filled with riddles, battles, quests, and descriptions of lavish feasts, which he said was inspired by his childhood. "Growing up during World War II, food was rationed," he told School Library Journal in an interview. "I remember that my aunt had this Victorian cookbook with fabulous illustrations. I used to read it and fantasize about the dishes. Feasts have become just as important parts of my books."

Roque Crew (Penguin, 2011), the 22nd book in the series, is scheduled for release on May 3. This final book is about the murderous and evil Razzid Wearat (vermin pirate) and his crew of vermin, who are on a mission to seize Redwall Abbey.

Michael Green, president and publisher at Philomel, a Penguin imprint, says Jacques initially wrote Redwall to entertain the children at Liverpool's Royal Wavertree School for the Blind, where he would read aloud, "giving voice to the many accents, giving aroma and flavor to the famous Redwall Abbey feasts, and giving life to a world in which mice and hares were heroes to the end."

Cover art for Jacques's final book.

Jacques was born in Liverpool on June 15, 1939. He grew up in the area around the Liverpool docks. Along with 40 percent of the population there, his ancestral roots were in Ireland, County Cork. His interest in adventure stories began at an early age when he read the works of Daniel Defoe, Sir Henry Rider Haggard, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Edgar Rice Burroughs. One of his favorite books was Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows.

At the age of 10, Jacques suffered a beating with a cane from teacher who accused him of plagiarizing a short story about a bird who cleaned a crocodile's teeth.

Jacques's English teacher, Alan Durband, who also taught the Beatles' Paul McCartney and George Harrison, read the manuscript for Redwall before Jacques showed it the original publisher who turned it into a five-book contract.

Jacques held a series of jobs, including merchant seaman, railroad worker, and truck driver. In the 1960s, he was a member of a folk group, The Liverpool Fishermen, and for 20 years, until 2006, he hosted a radio program called "Jakestown." In 2008, he was the keynote speaker for New York Public Library's Book Fest, which was jointly sponsored with School Library Journal. During the course of his career, Jacques wrote plays, poetry, and short stories.

When asked about his legacy, he said he hoped his books would live on. "When my grandchildren are as old as I am, [I hope] that people will still find my books in bookstores and libraries. I couldn't ask for more than that. Good children's literature is the most enduring of popular literature. I hope my work will endure."

He is survived by his wife Maureen and their two grown sons, David and Marc.

"The world has lost not only a talented author, but a truly gifted entertainer and champion of children," says Philomel's Green. "For almost 25 years, Brian Jacques lived up to the label of 'master storyteller.' His Redwall novels have touched multi-generations within families and given them something to share, a legacy at which one can only marvel and smile."

This article originally appeared in the newsletter Extra Helping. Go here to subscribe.

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Reader Comments (42)

Wording is the tool that bring together a mind, a community, a nation; so the goes the saying, "the pen is mightier than the sword". Mr.Jacques was his best at what we will certainly miss. God bless. Author P.Marquez-Garcia

Posted by P.Marquez-Garcia on February 8, 2011 07:16:31AM

Redwall and it's inhabitants have been home to my son and I through sickness and health. At age 13, my son was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, and subsequently endured 12 months of intensive chemotherapy with all its' terrible side effects. We read and re-read the Redwall series, with Martin the Warrior being our mutual hero. These books brought happy release and precious memories to us, and I feel that we've lost a dear friend. - James Patrick is recovered, and at age 27 is happily married to a lovely mousemaid.

Posted by Kathy Allen on February 8, 2011 09:44:30AM

My children have read all the published books in the series, had a grand Redwall feast, sing songs from the CDs, and quote from Mr. Jacques' books on a daily basis. Though I haven't read any to date, I find myself quoting various characters, too. What a sad day. Requiescat in pace.

Posted by Lor Palm on February 8, 2011 07:54:38AM

It's a sad day for YA literature. I grew up on these books, and they will always be among my favorites. RIP

Posted by Taylor on February 8, 2011 10:22:36AM