Book of a Thousand Days [Library] [Audiobook, CD] [Audio CD]

Shannon Hale (Author), Chelsea Mixon (Narrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2008

After being imprisoned in a tower, a princess and her serving maid at last escape to find a changed world and danger at every turn.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5–9—When Dashti the muckermaid from the steppes region throws in her lot with Lady Saren, little does she expect her loyalty to be tested by being bricked up in a tower with the Lady for seven years as punishment for Saren's refusal to marry the evil Lord Khasar, rather than her own preference, the handsome and gentle Khan Tagis. A series of first-person journal entries chronicle the differences between Dashti's resourceful, optimistic, and pragmatic personality and that of Lady Saren—a 16-year-old girl/woman who is prone to depression, fearful of the world, and unable to function independently. The full cast production of the fantasy by Shannon Hale (Bloomsbury, 2007) captures the lyricism of the author's language, although the voice of Dashti seems extremely young and naïve. The inclusion of many snippets of "healing songs" detracts from, rather than adds to, the story. Fans of Hale's previous books will enjoy this latest offering. Despite the somewhat predictable plot, the story is one of inspiration and hope.—Cindy Lombardo, Cleveland Public Library, IL
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From Booklist

In this retelling of a brothers Grimm fairy tale, Chelsea Mixon ideally portrays Dashti, a servant bound to rebellious Lady Saren, whose role is read by Rozlyn Jakes-Johnson. The tale is told through Dashti’s journal entries, in which she recounts her imprisonment in a sealed tower with Lady Saren, who defied her father’s command to marry. Dashti’s communication with Khan Tegus (Saren’s true love), vanquishing of an evil tyrant, and eventual escape are among the plot developments. The story is perfect for a full-cast reading. All of the actors add layers of meaning, enlivening even the minor characters. Saren transforms from addled to self-assured, Khan Tegus (played by Conor Nolan) from romantic to ruler, and Dashti from subservient to self-confident. Mixon proves especially effective when singing melodic renditions of “healing songs.” An enchanting listening experience. Grades 6-9. --Mary Burkey

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Audio CD: 1 pages
• Publisher: Full Cast Audio; 1 edition (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 193418022X
• ISBN-13: 978-1934180228
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 6.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,559,908 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You never know someone until you have spent a thousand days with them..., July 28, 2009

By 

isitfiveo'clockyet (Utopia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Book of a Thousand Days [Library] (Audio CD)

I loved this book. The audio book was very good and the editing was better than Princess Academy. I thought it had a very simple storyline, but with an excellent message and theme throughout the book. I really liked that this is one of those books that if I were to reread it I would find something new to love about this book every time.

The story is of a young girl named Dashti who is a mucker and her mother dies, so she has to go find some place to live. She comes upon a town that takes her in and chooses her to be a ladies maid to the youngest daughter of the ruler in the area. She trains for this position and finally decides to meet the lady that she will serve. Dashti chooses a bad time to find her lady because right after Dashti pledges fidelity and that she will never leave her lady. Lady Saren's father tells her that if she will not marry Lord Kasar then she will have to live in a tower for seven years or until she agrees to marry the Lord. Dashti also goes to the tower with Lady Saren and this is where the story starts of Dashti writing in her journal about what befalls them in the tower and after.

This book really caught my attention from the start even though I had no idea where it was going and a lot of it in the beginning is Dashti and her explanations of the going on of the tower. It still was able to draw me in. I also love that the title of the book really is meaningful. Dashti's mother always said that you don't know someone till you have spent a thousand days with them and throughout this book you are really able to see a relationship develop between Dashti and Lady Saran and the ups and downs that they go through like any relationship and how they are able to tackle the class and personality differences.

One time while watching Oprah they had this couple on it had been married for over 50 years and she asked them how they did it and the husband said that neither one of them fell out of love at the same time. That statement has really stayed with me and I don't think it just applies to married couples I think it applies to any relationship that we have and it determines whether or not they will end.