The Serpent Came to Gloucester [Audio CD]

M.T. Anderson (Author), Perfomed by John McDonough (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2005

2 CDs-Second Disc of this recording has page turn signals

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Recorded Books (2005)
• ASIN: B000V9ABV8
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)

More About the Author

M. T. Anderson is the author of The Game of Sunken Places, Burger Wuss, Thirsty, and Feed, which was a finalist for the National Book Award, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book and the winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Young Adult Fiction. He lives in Boston, Massachusetts.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LOVELY, LUMINOUS ILLUSTRATIONS AND LILTING RHYME, August 4, 2005

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Serpent Came to Gloucester (Hardcover)

It has been documented that in August of 1817 the residents of Gloucester, a small Massachusetts fishing village, saw a rather frightening sight - a gigantic sea serpent swimming off the coast. Evidently, these reports caused a bit of a stir as a number of people came to study this sea creature and others came in hopes of capturing it. All to no avail.

As told by M. T. Anderson in captivating rhyme this is the story of that serpent and of how the people in the village gradually almost became accustomed to their startling new neighbor. He begins with:

"It was on a day when the sun was bright,
When the limpets were thick on the rocks,
When the seagulls would squawk
And would talk and would fight
For the fish laid to dry on the docks."

Thus, Anderson is a bit of a Scherazade as he escorts readers through first the initial sighting by a young boy, next to the townspeople watching the serpent play in the water, and then to the men coming with weapons, singing "killing songs."

According to historical records, a Captain Rich came the closest by claiming to have harpooedn the creature but the serpent shook off the harpoon and swam away.

Bagram Iratoulline's illustrations are lovely, luminous, evoking the scenes of 19th century New England and the mysterious beauty of the ocean.

- Gail Cooke

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a keeper!, June 10, 2005

By 

Delighted Reader - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Serpent Came to Gloucester (Hardcover)

Just what you hope for in a picture book! A beautifully illustrated tale told in mesmerizing rhythms that just beg to be read out loud. In the classic tradition of well-made books, the entire book--from concept to cover--is thoughtfully conceived and executed. All the pieces work together to create a memorable experience for readers young and old. The surprising fact that the story is based on historical events in Cape Ann, Massachusetts-revealed in an author's note at the back of the book-just adds to the wonder of it all. It's a keeper!

5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating -- don't skip the author's notes, March 29, 2011

By 

M. Heiss (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Serpent Came to Gloucester (Hardcover)

The rhyme scheme and the illustrations are instantly understandable to young people. The giant double-page pictures pull your eyeballs into the paper and put you into the village.

The next summer, when the men come to hunt the sea serpent, it is surprising how many of them wear eye patches -- I count five. And why would they lift the eye patch to see better?

Always with the lyrical descriptions of the sea -- mirroring the emotion of the story.

And... it happened in America in 1817. Cool.