The Beggar Queen [School & Library Binding]

Lloyd Alexander (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1985

Mickle, once a common street urchin, is now the queen of Westmark. The kingdom is thriving-yet, at the same time, it is strangely restless. Ghosts of the past lurk everywhere. And the evil minister Cabbarus, banished from Westmark, is plotting to seize the throne. Theo remembers a time when he was the famed Kestrel, fighting battles that threatened to kill his soul. Now he once again must join in the struggle. Who will at last command the fate of Westmark?

"The chronicle begun in Westmark . . . is brought to a brilliant climax in a novel that skillfully completes this landmark award-winning trilogy." (Booklist, starred review)

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Mickle, once a common street urchin, now rules Westmark as the wise Queen Augusta. Yet the kingdom is strangely restless. Ghosts of the past lurk everywhere, whispering of future war. Justin and his revolutionaries denounce the monarchy--even the benevolent Mickle. Cabbarus, banished from Westmark, plots to seize the throne and install a Reign of Terror.

Theo, the famed Colonel Kestrel, remembers it all--the bloody battles, and the fight for his own soul. The past has returned to haunt the present, and Theo, once again, must join in the struggle. Who will at last command the fate of Westmark? --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap

Mickle, once a common street urchin, now rules Westmark as the wise Queen Augusta. Yet the kingdom is strangely restless. Ghosts of the past lurk everywhere, whispering of future war. Justin and his revolutionaries denounce the monarchy--even the benevolent Mickle. Cabbarus, banished from Westmark, plots to seize the throne and install a Reign of Terror.



Theo, the famed Colonel Kestrel, remembers it all--the bloody battles, and the fight for his own soul. The past has retumed to haunt the present, and Theo, once again, must join in the struggle. Who will at last command the fate of Westmark? --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• School & Library Binding: 237 pages
• Publisher: Tandem Library (September 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0808566202
• ISBN-13: 978-0808566205
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,710,559 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Few writers have inspired as much affection and interest among readers young and old as Lloyd Alexander. At one point, however, it seemed unlikely that he would ever be a writer at all. His parents could not afford to send him to college. And so when a Philadelphia bank had an opening for a messenger boy, he went to work there. Finally, having saved some money, he quit and went to a local college. Dissatisfied with not having learned enough to be a writer he left at the end of one term. Adventure, he decided was the best way. The United States had already entered World War II. Convinced that here was a chance for real deeds of derring-do, he joined the army -- and was promptly shipped to Texas where he became, in disheartening succession an artilleryman, a cymbal player in the band, an organist in the post chapel, and a first-aid man. At last, he was assigned to a military intelligence center in Maryland. There he trained as a member of a combat team to be parachuted into France to work with the Resistance. "This, to my intense relief, did not happen," says Alexander. Instead, Alexander and his group sailed to Wales to finish their training. This ancient, rough-hewn country, with its castles, mountains, and its own beautiful language made a tremendous impression on him. But not until years later did he realize he had been given a glimpse of another enchanted kingdom. Alexander was sent to Alsace-Lorraine, the Rhineland, and southern Germany. When the war ended, he was assigned to a counterintelligence unit in Paris. Later he was discharged to attend the University of Paris. While a student he met a beautiful Parisian girl, Janine, and they soon married. Life abroad was fascinating, but eventually Alexander longed for home. The young couple went back to Drexel Hill, near Philadelphia, where Alexander wrote novel after novel which publishers unhesitatingly turned down. To earn his living, he worked as a cartoonist, advertising writer, layout artist, and associate editor for a small magazine. It took seven years of constant rejection before his first novel was at last published. During the next ten years, he wrote for adults. And then he began writing for young people.Doing historical research for Time Cat he discovered material on Welsh mythology. The result was The Book of Three and the other chronicles of Prydain, the imaginary kingdom being something like the enchanted land of Wales. In The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen Alexander explored yet another fantastic world. Evoking an atmosphere of ancient China, this unique multi-layered novel was critically acclaimed as one of his finest works. Trina Schart Hyman illustrated The Fortune-tellers as a Cameroonian folktale sparkling with vibrant images, keen insight and delicious wit. Most of the books have been written in the form of fantasy. But fantasy, Alexander believes, is merely one of many ways to express attitudes and feelings about real people, real human relationships and problems

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful conclusion to the trilogy, December 24, 1999

By 

Joy Kim - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Beggar Queen (Yearling Books) (Paperback)

_The Beggar Queen_ is a wonderful conclusion to the Westmark trilogy. Each book in this trilogy is increasingly more complex -- addressing thorny issues such as terrorism and violence through extremely accessible characters. Alexander continues the development of Theo's character (which was so drastic in _The Kestrel_), while maintaining the strength of some of the secondary characters. Alexander's ability to present grand issues against such human figures as Weasel, Keller, and Count Las Bombas emphasizes both the difficulty and importance of these issues. Cabbarus's return to Westmark forces all of the characters to make decisions about their beliefs. Theo must decide whether he will follow Justin's violent lead -- a decision complicated by personal guilt. Mickle's behavior as queen is contrasted against King Constantine's more selfish outlook.

The miracle of this novel -- and of this trilogy in general -- is that Alexander addresses these issues so skillfully that the reader does not feel that the author is preaching. Rather, the reader enjoys a satisfying adventure and romance -- with the added benefit of a broadened mind. END

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing Read, September 28, 2001

By 

Anna (Buffalo, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Beggar Queen (Yearling Books) (Paperback)

I remember reading this book for the first time - over eight years ago as a ten-year-old. Each of the several dozen times since that I have re-read it, I discover new things to love. Alexander writes so beautifully that not a single word is wasted; he creates images that linger in the reader's head for much longer than the average writer's creations. His protagonist, Theo, is so vivid, so real, so painfully human that you agonize with him over every decision and gasp with him at every tug on his heartstrings. You also laugh with him, but the humor in this and the other Westmark trilogy members is comic relief. I've read that this series is too dark for children, but I would say that, for an thoughtful reader, the Westmark trilogy is perfect. Although the series has been targeted by publishers toward a younger age group, teenagers and adults (I convinced my mother to read the series) would appreciate it as well.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Billy Wilder of Children's Literature, July 26, 2001

By 

John (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Beggar Queen (Yearling Books) (Paperback)

The Beggar Queen is a marvelous conclusion to one of the best and most overlooked series of young adult literature.

In The Beggar Queen, Cabbarus holds a coup in Marianstat, and he takes over the country. Luckily, Mickle, Theo, and Florian escape into hiding, and they have to try to gain their country back and put a democracy in place. Theo and Mickle are forced to build a resistance movement in the city. Theo is once again forced to resume his role of Colonel Kestrel and fight his personal demons. The people of the city are forced to undergo a baptism of fire to gain their freedom.

In The Beggar Queen, Alexander once again uses accessible characters, romance, and an exciting (and twisting) plot to throw light on some difficult issues such as war and terrorism. Theo has to grapple with himself. He is a leader, and how many of the lives his people should be on his head? Are they dying because of flaws in his own character? The final book also serves to make the trilogy into a Billy Wilderesque study of life during war. The books present the world in an absolute mess. The novels are at times grim. Alexander doesn't spare lives. The country in war presents people (even good guys) consumed by hate. Yet through all of the mess, the love found in good people finds a way to survive.

The Beggar Queen and the rest of the Westmark Trilogy cannot be overrated. The three novels teach lessons and go places where no other young adult novel has ever gone. They are landmarks of young adult publishing, and even of literature in general. Hopefully, the trilogy will one day gain a larger readership and gain the respect that it truly deserves.