Philip Pullman – The Scarecrow & His Servant – Philip Pullman Free Audiobook

Written by Philip Pullman
Read by Graeme Malcolm
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 64 Kbps
Unabridged

Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Starred Review. Grade 4-6–Old Mr. Pandolfo, feeling that life is getting
too difficult–what with troublesome weather, troublesome soldiers, and
very troublesome cousins–decides the time has come to create a scarecrow.
At least a scarecrow would take care of the birds. Mr. Pandolfo creates
a fine scarecrow, indeed, with a large turnip for a head, a broomstick
for a backbone, dressed in a tweed suit stuffed with straw. Hidden within
it, carefully wrapped in oilskin, is a mysterious letter. But how can
this extraordinary creature–who comes to life when struck by a bolt
of lightning–fulfill his destiny if he’s stuck out in the middle of
a field? Enter Jack, an enterprising, intelligent, and practical young
orphan fleeing the soldiers who robbed him of home and family. Jack’s
motto, It could be worse, comes in handy as he agrees to become the
servant of the rather egocentric scarecrow, setting off to find excitement
and glory. Scarecrow’s excellent opinion of himself sets the stage for
a variety of silly, yet dangerous, adventures. Run-ins with government
officials, soldiers, and unscrupulous business people provide plenty
of opportunities for moralizing on the evils of society. In another
setting, this story line might seem over-the-top, but Pullman’s clever
employment of fairy-tale conventions, his superb use of language, and
his engaging dialogue make it a wholly satisfying yarn of ridiculous
proportions, and Bailey’s line drawings provide just the right feeling
of long ago that every good fairy tale deserves.–Sharon Grover, Arlington
County Department of Libraries, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc.
All rights reserved. –This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From AudioFile
The fairy tale quality of Philip Pullman’s latest is enhanced by Graeme
Malcolm’s gentle, almost singsong, narration. A scarecrow, brought to
life by a freak lightning strike, and an orphan boy, Jack, embark on
a quest to reclaim Spring Valley from the corrupt Buffaloni family.
They drift from disaster to disaster, dogged by an oily lawyer working
for the Buffalonis, but the overall tone remains silly enough that none
of it ever feels truly threatening. Malcolm has plenty of opportunities
to exercise a variety of accents (although why people with Italian surnames
all sound British is an unresolved mystery). The fantastic Grand Congress
of Birds allows Malcolm the chance for more vocal acrobatics. Younger
listeners will be intrigued by the talking birds and the subtle central
conflict of industry versus conservation. J.M.D. © AudioFile 2006, Portland,
Maine– Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

From Booklist
*Starred Review* Gr. 4-6. Pullman seems equally at home whether creating
high fantasy, Victorian mysteries, or old-fashioned stories in the fairy-tale
fashion. Here he excels in the latter mode, creating unique characters
to charm young readers. When Scarecrow (reminiscent of his relative
in the Wizard of Oz) meets orphan Jack, both the boy and straw man see
the wisdom of Jack’s attending to the scarecrow as a servant. Together
the pair contends with “danger . . . followed by glory . . . leading
to sorrow” as promised by a fortune-teller. It’s Jack who keeps Scarecrow’s
head on (literally at times) as his master blithely takes a turn on
the boards, becomes an officer in the army, and finds treasure on an
island, even as he keeps his inner conviction rolled up on a scroll
stuffed in his shirt. The umbrella story about Scarecrow’s raison d’etre
(to rescue his polluted valley from an evil ruling family) is purposive,
but its sharp point is cushioned by the flimflam and fancy pervading
the tale. Best of all, however, is the charm exuded by Scarecrow and
the boy, two memorable fellows who may seem familiar, but are utterly
their own. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved –This
text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review
“The book is a perfectly made gem, full of fun, fireworks, and wit.
We continue to be lucky to have Philip Pullman writing for us.”–The
Guardian (U.K.)
“Philip Pullman, now acknowledged as one of the greatest children’s
authors of our time, is also one of the funniest and most accessible.”–The
Times (U.K.)
“[Pullman’s] touch is so sure, his plotting so flawless, that you know
a new Pullman means a rare treat. The Scarecrow and His Servant does
not disappoint.”–The Herald (U.K.)

From the Hardcover edition.

Book Description
A tattered scarecrow stands in the middle of a muddy field, taking no
notice of the violent thunderstorm around him. But when a bolt of lightning
strikes him, fizzing its way through his turnip head and down his broomstick,
the Scarecrow blinks with surprise–and comes to life.
So begins the story of the Scarecrow, a courteous but pea-brained fellow
with grand ideas. He meets a boy, Jack, who becomes his faithful servant.
Leaving behind his bird-scaring duties, the Scarecrow sets out for Spring
Valley, with Jack at his side. As the valiant Scarecrow plunges them
into terrifying dangers–battles, brigands, broken hearts, and treasure
islands–he never realizes he’s being followed by the one family who
desperately wishes he’d never sprung to life. Will the Scarecrow discover
the secret to his past before the crooked Buffalonis close in on him?–

From the Hardcover edition.