The Long Patrol facts for kids
UK 1st Edition Cover
|
|
| Author | Brian Jacques |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Allan Curless |
| Cover artist | Chris "Fangorn" Baker |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | Redwall |
| Genre | Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | Hutchinson (UK) & Philomel (US) |
|
Publication date
|
1997 |
| Media type | Print (hardback and paperback) |
| Pages | 384 (UK Hardback) & 358 (US Hardback) |
| ISBN | 0-09-176546-3 (UK Hardback) & ISBN: 0-399-23165-X (US Hardback) |
| OCLC | 59592093 |
| Preceded by | The Pearls of Lutra |
| Followed by | Marlfox |
The Long Patrol is an exciting fantasy novel written by Brian Jacques, first published in 1997. It's the tenth book in his popular Redwall series and even became a New York Times bestseller! This story takes you on an adventure with brave hares, clever mice, and dangerous villains, all set in the world of Redwall Abbey.
Contents
The Story of The Long Patrol
Tammo's Big Adventure
The story begins with Tamello De Fformelo Tussock, or Tammo, a young hare. He lives at Camp Tussock and dreams of joining the famous Long Patrol at Salamandastron. However, his father, Cornspurrey De Fformelo Tussock, thinks Tammo is too young to join.
Despite his father's wishes, Tammo's mother, Mem Divinia, helps him prepare to leave one night. He sets off with Russa Nodrey, a friendly squirrel who is a family friend. On their journey, they meet two ferrets, Skulka and Gromal. Tammo and Russa eventually find the Long Patrol. Sadly, Russa is killed while saving a baby badger. One of the hares, Rockjaw Grang, names the badger Russano in Russa's honor.
The Rapscallion Army's New Leader
Meanwhile, Gormad Tunn, the rat leader of the Rapscallion army, is very ill. The Rapscallions are afraid of Cregga Rose Eyes, the powerful badger ruler of Salamandastron. Gormad's two sons, Byral Fleetclaw and Damug Warfang, fight to decide who will be the new commander. Damug unfairly defeats Byral and takes control of the army. He then orders his army to move deeper inland.
Trouble at Redwall Abbey
At Redwall Abbey, the creatures discover that the south wall is slowly sinking into the ground. Foremole Diggum and his team of moles decide the best plan is to take the wall down and rebuild it. One night, a big storm causes a tree to fall on the wall. This helps the moles with their work but also leaves the Abbey open to attack.
The broken wall reveals an old well, which turns out to be part of the ancient castle Kotir. Abbess Tansy, Friar Butty, Shad the Gatekeeper, Giygas, and Craklyn the Recorder decide to explore what's below. After a challenging journey, they find the treasure of Verdauga Greeneyes, the old lord of Kotir.
Preparing for Battle
The Long Patrol arrives at Redwall Abbey, hoping to warn everyone about the danger from Damug's army. At the Abbey, the spirit of Martin the Warrior appears to Tammo. Martin tells Tammo to go with the hare Midge Manycoats to Damug's camp. Midge disguises himself as a vermin seer and advises Damug not to attack the Abbey directly. Instead, Midge suggests a different place and time for the battle. This clever trick gives the Abbey defenders precious time to get ready.
The Final Battle
When the brave hare Rockjaw Grang is killed by the Rapscallions, Cregga's dreams guide her to the ridge where Midge has set up the battle. The Redwallers gather all their friends and allies. With the Long Patrol, they fight hard against the rat hordes. It looks like Damug might win, but then Lady Cregga Rose Eyes appears with the rest of the Salamandastron hares. She grabs Damug and defeats him, but he injures her face, blinding her.
In the end, the hares and Redwallers win the battle! The treasure brought back from Kotir by Friar Butty is melted down and made into medals for all the brave creatures who fought. The ridge where the battle happened is named The Ridge of a Thousand, because a thousand vermin were defeated there.
Life After the War
After the battle, Tammo marries the beautiful Pasque Valerian, who is a healer for the Long Patrol. They travel to Salamandastron. Cregga stays at Redwall Abbey and becomes the new Badger Mother. Later, Russano journeys to Salamandastron, carrying Russa's hardwood stick as his weapon. He grows up to be one of the only Badger Lords who never gets taken over by the "Bloodwrath," a powerful, wild rage that Cregga and other badgers sometimes experienced.
Main Characters in The Long Patrol
- Tamello De Fformelo Tussock (Tammo) - A young hare who dreams of joining the Long Patrol.
- Cornspurrey De Fformelo Tussock - Tammo's father.
- Mem Divinia - Tammo's mother.
- Russa Nodrey - A friendly squirrel who helps Tammo.
- Russano the Wise - A baby badger named in honor of Russa.
- Long Patrol - The brave hare army from Salamandastron.
- Major Périgord Habile Sinistra
- Captain Twayblade Sinistra
- Pasque Valerian - A healer and Tammo's future wife.
- Rockjaw Grang - A brave hare who names Russano.
- Midge Manycoats - A clever hare who helps trick Damug.
- Drill Sergeant Clubrush
- Galloper Riffle Swiftback
- Galloper Algador Swiftback
- Lance Corporal Ellbrig
- Shangle Widepad
- Sergeant Torgoch
- Lieutenant Morio
- Corporal Rubbadub
- Colonel Eyebright
- Tare and Turry
- Trowbaggs
- Deodar
- Furgale
- Reeve Starbuck
- Cheeva
- Gormad Tunn - The sick leader of the Rapscallion rats.
- Byral Fleetclaw - One of Gormad's sons.
- Damug Warfang - Gormad's other son, who becomes the new Rapscallion leader.
- Arven - A character connected to the Rapscallions.
- Cregga Rose Eyes - The powerful Badger Mother of Salamandastron.
- Foremole Diggum - The leader of the moles at Redwall Abbey.
- Abbess Tansy - The leader of Redwall Abbey.
- Friar Butty - A kind friar from Redwall.
- Shad the Gatekeeper - The guardian of Redwall's gates.
- Craklyn the Recorder - A record-keeper at Redwall.
Book Parts (English)
The book is divided into three main parts:
- Book 1: The Runaway Recruit
- Book 2: A Gathering of Warriors
- Book 3: The Ridge
Translations Around the World
The Long Patrol has been translated into several languages:
