I really loved these books when I was a kid (I even got Outcast of Redwall signed by Jacques when he visited my hometown), but I began to sympathize with the Vermin way too much and got frustrated. I seem to recall an interview with Jacques where someone asked him if we will ever see good vermin and his answer was basically no. That made me too sad to continue, ferrets are cute dang it.
I remember reading “The Wainscott Weasel” thinking it would be like a pro-vermin version of Redwall, wow was that a surprise. I did like it though. Also the books about rats from the same author.
I had quite a few of the books signed by Jacques, though eventually space needs and the fact that I only ever return to the first have led me to pare down the collection.
Incidentally, it’s well worth finding an audiobook that features Jacques–I had a “full cast” production of Redwall that featured Jacques as Cluny and (I think) Foremole. He’s an excellent storyteller! Rather wish they’d just had him do the whole thing.
I have Redwall and Mossflower on audiobook. The writing grates on me at times, as they are very definitely written for children, but the full cast productions are just absolutely wonderful to listen to.
