My Infatuation with the Redwall Series

Just in case you're wondering, what Redwall is...
and wondering things like:

Why are you so crazy about a book series about animals living in an abbey, animals with swords and badgers living in extinct volcanoes and a patrol of regimental hares and pirate rats?

Well, for the short summary version, I direct thee here.
But perhaps if you were very, very, interested (or bored) keep reading!
In the hopes of keeping things organized, I shall label with (debater-y) points.
(Since I'm going debater-y, you could call these advantages to the plan of reading the series)

ADV1. Redwall is well-written and written for a purpose

The stories are beautifully thought out, and the words are interesting, unique, descriptive and definitely meet Mr. Brian Jacques goal in writing them. 

Mr. Jacques first wrote the series for the children in a blind academy he delivered milk to. He didn't think the modern novels about teens going to school were necessarily interesting or the proper literature a child (to boot, a blind person) to be reading. So he wrote his own books, with the goal of painting pictures with words for the children who could not see. He relived the tales of his childhood, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, with characters of his own, noble, chivalrous, just, and merciful. Strong morals and the classic, traditional, and well-loved themes of Good vs. Evil are what his series is founded on. Mr. Jacques grew up through WWII and knew what it meant to live on rations. In all the exciting stories he enjoyed, never did the author mention the specifics of the feast, or what they ate on the journey. So he would read his mother's cookbooks, drooling over the delicious sounding recipes. With this in mind, food is a crucial part of his works.

Originally, Jacques didn't even plan to have his books published, but a friend from the academy who knew names in the publishing business, recognized the potential and secretly sent in a book, which was immediately accepted. The man related the good news to Brian and 22 books was the outcome.

ADV2. They're Deep

Redwall isn't just about funny little British animals running about with weapons. It's about hospitality, loyalty, adventure, true friendship, hard work, your place in a community, love, cheerfulness, respect, justice, hope, peace, mercy, death, and asks and answers questions like: what makes one evil? is revenge worth it? even when death is sure, should you take a stand for what's right and face your enemies? what's a dibbun? and probably most importantly, is there any October Ale left?

“Friend is a very small word,
A little sound we make, For one who is true, one who will do, Great deeds for friendship's sake.” ~The Bellmaker


“Weapons may be carried by creatures who are evil, dishonest, violent or lazy. The true warrior is good, gentle and honest. His bravery comes from within himself; he learns to conquer his own fears and misdeeds." ~Mattimeo

ADV3. They're Humorous

“Friar Hugo, old friend, brace yourself. I am the bearer of tragic news!"
Alarm spread across Hugo's pudgy features. "Tell me, Jess. What dreadful thing has happened?"
Jess spoke haltingly in a broken voice. "I fear that Cluny has tore up one of your oldest and most venerable dishrags. Alas, Redwall will never see it wipe another plate.” ~Redwall

“Basil Stag Hare tut-tutted severely as he remarked to Ambrose Spike, 'Tch, tch. Dreadful table manners. Just look at those three wallahs, kicking up a hullaballoo like that! Eating's a serious business.” ~Redwall (or Mattimeo)

Gerul: There's nothin' as dark as the dark, me ould mother used t'say.
Clecky: Really? Well, that was jolly observant of her, wot? I'll wager she used to go on about how flippin' light the day was.
-Pearls of Lutra

Clecky: Of course I'm a hare, what'd you think I was, a long-legged tadpole out for a bloomin' walk?
-Pearls of Lutra

Basil: Got it, marm. All the weary warriors sleep while you sportin' creatures cook up a whackin' beanfeast. Right?
Cornflower: Right!
Basil: Last one in bed and fast asleep's a rotten egg. Yaaaah!
Foremole: Oi jus' bin a-runned over boi a mad creatur'. Hurr.
-Mattimeo

Mother Mellus: Come on now, little one, eat up your woodland salad. Pudding later.
Dibbun: No, Don't like sala, wanna pudden!
Mother Mellus: Salad first, pudding later. You want to grow up big and strong like me, don't you?
Dibbun: No, wanna stay lickle and eat pudden alla time!
-Mariel of Redwall

Martin (to Gonff while in prison, upon being shown the tools that Gonff had be sent to get them out): Goodness me, a stick. How helpful. We could take this place singlepawed with a stick. What a useful thing to send us.
-Mossflower

ADV4. If for nothing else, then the accents

This. I. cannot. stress. enough. WOT!
Buxton: Ho, save the choild, 'urry up and scoff quick now, lest the hinfant be drownded in yon pudden.
Tarquin Woodsorrel: Bally unthinkable, poor little blighter bein' drowned in a plate of pudden. Do not worry, young sire, help is at spoon. I'll save you. Gromff!
-Mariel of Redwall

The Wild King MacPhearsome [an eagle] to Dumble: Och, these vittles are braw eatin', Dumble. Ha'ye nae mair o'those wee veggible pasties the guid hedgepid lady made?
Drooney [dibbun mole]to Dumble: "Bohurr, you'm heagle do be a-talking funny loik. Oi carn't unnerstan' a wurd 'ee be sayen, Dumble.
-Salamandastron

Foremole fished Baby Grubb out of the panful of warm honey.
"Gurr, youm toiny rascal, wot do 'ee want ter fallen in honey furr?"
Grubb wavy a sticky carefree paw. "Hurr, better fallen in honey than mud, oi allus says. Bain't nothen wrong wi' honey. Bees makes et."
Foremole wrinkled his button nose, nodding in agreement. "Ho urr, the choild be roight, he'm be growen up woisley clever."
-Mariel of Redwall

Impact: Reading Redwall will result in eternal cheerfulness and prolonged life.
;D

If you haven't read Redwall, I recommend adding it somewhere near the top of your booklist. 

If you feel too mature to be reading such things, then bally rot to you, and if you're too ashamed to admit it and show yah flippen face, then go and read it to a younger sibling, before I go and dump you in the Abbey pond! wot, wot!

Thank you! And I now stand open for cross-examination.

ps: Since there are 22 books in the series (yes, I know, a lot, all of them worth it), the most asked question is, in which order should they be read. I have a homemade list somewhere, but I'm traveling at the moment. Comment and when I get back I'll find and send it to you. :)