Outcast of Redwall facts for kids
UK first edition cover
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| Author | Brian Jacques |
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| Illustrator | Allan Curless |
| Cover artist | Chris Baker |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | Redwall |
| Genre | Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | Hutchinson (UK) & Philomel (US) |
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Publication date
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1995 |
| Media type | Print (hardback and paperback) |
| Pages | 375 (UK Hardback) & 360 (US Hardback) |
| ISBN | 0-09-176721-0 (UK Hardback) & ISBN: 0-399-22914-0 (US Hardback) |
| OCLC | 33010820 |
| Preceded by | The Bellmaker |
| Followed by | The Pearls of Lutra |
Outcast of Redwall is an exciting fantasy novel written by Brian Jacques. It was first published in 1995. This book is the eighth story in the popular Redwall series. However, if you read the books in the order of their events, it's actually the fifth story.
Contents
The Story of Sunflash and Veil
This book tells two main stories that eventually come together. One story is about a brave badger named Sunflash. The other is about a young ferret named Veil.
Sunflash's Journey
The story begins in a cold, snowy land. A young kestrel (a type of bird) named Skarlath gets lost in a snowstorm. He is captured by a mean ferret warlord called Swartt Sixclaw. Swartt also has a young badger as a prisoner. This badger is treated very badly.
Skarlath and the badger help each other escape. During their escape, the badger finds a strong tree branch. He uses it like a club. Both Swartt and the badger promise to get revenge on each other. They become bitter enemies.
The young badger can't remember his name. Skarlath calls him Sunflash because of a golden stripe on his nose. Sunflash and Skarlath become the best of friends. They travel through Mossflower Woods. They help anyone who is weak or in trouble. As they grow older, Sunflash becomes very famous. He shapes his tree branch into a powerful warclub. He calls it his mace.
Swartt Sixclaw's Rise to Power
Meanwhile, Swartt Sixclaw also grows older and stronger. He travels the northern lands with his group of followers. He has a vixen (female fox) named Nightshade who can see the future. Swartt and his group find Bowfleg, another ferret leader. Bowfleg has a large group and lives in a rich area.
Swartt used to be one of Bowfleg's soldiers. Bowfleg's captains are suspicious of Swartt. With Nightshade's help, Swartt tricks Bowfleg and kills him. Swartt then takes over Bowfleg's large group. He also marries Bowfleg's daughter, Bluefen.
Sunflash Becomes a Lord
Sunflash and Skarlath live in a cave for a while. They stay with families of hedgehogs and moles. Sunflash starts having dreams about a mountain called Salamandastron. He feels called to go there.
So, Sunflash travels to Salamandastron to become a Badger Lord. He and Skarlath say goodbye. Sunflash becomes the powerful Lord of the Mountain. This part of the story is also mentioned in the book Mossflower.
Veil's Life at Redwall Abbey
By this time, Swartt Sixclaw and his large group pass near Redwall Abbey. The squirrels and otters living there defend their home well. However, Swartt's baby son is accidentally dropped in a ditch. He is found by kind woodland creatures. They take the baby ferret to Redwall Abbey.
At the Abbey, the leaders decide what to do with the baby. Abbess Meriam and Bella of Brocktree decide that Bryony, a young mousemaid, will care for him. Her sensible mole friend, Togget, helps her. The baby ferret is named Veil. He grows up at the Abbey.
When Veil is young, he is naughty and causes trouble. As he gets older, his true ferret nature starts to show. Veil steals, lies, and is generally mean to everyone. He is especially unkind to Bryony, who raised him. Eventually, Veil tries to poison Friar Bunfold. He fails, but Bella banishes him from the Abbey.
Bryony feels that Veil's banishment was unfair. She leaves the Abbey to find him. Togget, her mole friend, goes with her. They follow Veil as he wanders through Mossflower. Veil remains mean and doesn't apologize. He makes life hard for Bryony and Togget.
The Final Battle
Far away, Swartt attacks Salamandastron. He teams up with a smooth-talking ferret pirate named Zigu. A big war begins. Zigu is eventually killed by a skilled hare named Sabretache. Swartt's group grows even larger. With help from nearby woodlanders, the attack is stopped.
Sunflash and Skarlath chase after Swartt's group. Nightshade sets a trap with poison arrows. In the fight, Nightshade kills Skarlath with a poison arrow. Sunflash then kills Nightshade seconds later. Swartt and his smaller group run away to the mountains.
Veil, Bryony, and Togget arrive at the same mountains from the other side. Veil meets his father, Swartt, for the first time. Neither of them is impressed with the other. Swartt captures Sunflash. Bryony then meets the evil Swartt Sixclaw.
Swartt tries to kill Bryony by throwing a spear. Veil, in a moment of true feeling for Bryony, saves her life. He takes the spear himself and dies. Sunflash then kills Swartt by throwing him off the mountain.
Aftermath at Redwall
Sunflash, Bryony, and Togget return to Redwall. Bryony isn't sure if Veil truly meant to save her. She accepts that the young ferret she defended was always evil. Bryony later becomes the Abbess of Redwall. Togget becomes the Foremole.
Sunflash meets Bella, his mother, for the first time since he was a baby. He stays with her until she passes away many seasons later. After that, he returns to the western coast to rule at Salamandastron.
Main Characters in Outcast of Redwall
- Sunflash the Mace
- Swartt Sixclaw
- Skarlath the Kestrel
- Nightshade
- Bryony
- Togget
- Veil Sixclaw
- Bella of Brocktree
Book Parts (English)
The book is divided into three main parts:
- Book 1: A Friendship Made
- Book 2: A Broken Trust
- Book 3: The Warrior's Reckoning
Translations of the Book
Outcast of Redwall has been translated into several languages:
