The Tale of Despereaux Audiobook By Kate DiCamillo cover art

The Tale of Despereaux

Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread

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The Tale of Despereaux

By: Kate DiCamillo
Narrated by: Graeme Malcolm
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This is the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It is also the story of a rat called Roscuro, who lives in darkness but covets a world filled with light. And it is the story of Miggery Sow, a slow-witted serving girl with a simple, impossible wish. These characters are about to embark on a journey that will lead them down into a horrible dungeon, up into a glittering castle, and ultimately, into each other's lives.

And what happens then?

Listener, it is your destiny to find out.

Click here to see a full list of Newbery Medal Winners and Newbery Honor Books.©2003 Kate DiCamillo (P)2003 Random House, Inc., Listening Library, an imprint of the Random House Audio Publishing Group Action & Adventure Animal Fiction Animals Animals & Nature Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths Fantasy & Magic Fiction Literature & Fiction Mice, Hamsters, Guinea Pigs & Squirrels Primary Education Science Fiction & Fantasy Fantasy Feel-Good Heartfelt Funny

Editorial reviews

What is it about mice? Ever since Aesop paired a little rodent with a mighty lion, mice have been the stars of literature. Stuart Little, the gallant Reepicheep of the Narnia books, the heroes of Redwall - mice all.

Now comes Despereaux, and he does his fore-mice proud. This is a wistful story that is given a properly dreamlike reading by Graeme Malcolm. You can imagine him sitting by a crackling fire as he tells the tale of a misfit, sensitive mouse who falls in love with a princess and finds his place in the world.

At 3-1/2 hours long, this is the perfect listen for a family trip. It's the kind of story that parents will appreciate for the lessons it imparts - and children will cherish for its memorable adventures of a determined mouse.

Critic reviews

  • Newbery Medal Winner, 2004, Most Distinguished American Children's Book

"A charming story of unlikely heroes....With a masterful hand, DiCamillo weaves four story lines together in a witty, suspenseful narrative that begs to be read aloud....This expanded fairy tale is entertaining, heartening, and, above all, great fun." (School Library Journal)
"Forgiveness, light, love, and soup. These essential ingredients combine into a tale that is as soul stirring as it is delicious." (Booklist)

Featured Article: 12 Outstanding Audiobooks for Tweens


It can be incredibly difficult to find engaging stories that are thematically mature enough to challenge growing minds without veering over the edge into inappropriately adult content. Thankfully, there are many talented authors who achieve this balance, and we’ve rounded up some of the best examples of their work. Our list of 12 outstanding audiobooks for tweens is sure to offer something that's just right for your young listener.

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Captivating Storytelling • Meaningful Life Lessons • Engaging Characters • Beautiful Writing • Soothing Voice

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This story is so wonderful and so wonderfully well written. I love how the author makes the reader, or in this case listener part of the story. The narrator is fantastic. He reads clearly and dramatizes the voices so well. Both my 4 and 7 year olds love it.

Great story, well narrated

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No one else could do a better job than this in narrating. Great story with such amazing narration. 10 thumbs up!

the BEST NARRATOR!

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Graeme Malcolm is a mesmerizing storyteller. Hearing him read the story just brought it to life in a much more enchanting way then just reading the book could have done.

Amazing

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Would you consider the audio edition of The Tale of Despereaux to be better than the print version?

The narrator's voice makes this book a pleasure to listen to.

Have you listened to any of Graeme Malcolm???s other performances before? How does this one compare?

His voice is like silk! He differentiates each character expertly. I think this narrator is the best I've ever heard. I would listen to him read the phone book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I loved when someone finally asked Miggery Sow what she wanted.

Love this book!

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Loved it! Takes you back to the old story book days...50 years ago, maybe 60!

What a fun story!!

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the right amount of emotion. kids and adults enjoyed. would look for voiceover again .

excellent story. the voices were distinct . just

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The first time I read this book, I was 11 and it captivated me. I finished it in one sitting and re-read it time and again, and it felt comforting and familiar. It is in the highest of compliments that I say Graeme Malcom has made an old love feel brand new, with one of the best audio recordings I’ve yet heard.

Excellent

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This is a very good book. I have read it 15 times exactly. I would read it every day all the time.

love

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I was about 10 years old when I last read this book, and the story is just as good reading it 10 years later. I always thought that the way the story progresses and was narrated stood out from other children's books at the time. I'm glad I got to read it again.

just as good as I remember

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Told in a unique and straight-forward tone, this book is oh so literary and conveys deep and beautiful values through this unusual fairy tale.

Amazing, literary, beautiful

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