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    The Wonderling
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    The Wonderling
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    The Wonderling
    Audiobook9 hours

    The Wonderling

    Written by Mira Bartok

    Narrated by Simon Vance

    3.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    In this extraordinary debut novel with its deft nod to Dickensian heroes and rogues, Mira Bartók tells the story of Arthur, a shy, fox-like foundling with only one ear and a desperate desire to belong, as he seeks his destiny.

    Have you been unexpectedly burdened by a recently orphaned or unclaimed creature? Worry not! We have just the solution for you!

    Welcome to the Home for Wayward and Misbegotten Creatures, an institution run by evil Miss Carbunkle, a cunning villainess who believes her terrified young charges exist only to serve and suffer.

    Part animal and part human, the groundlings toil in classroom and factory, forbidden to enjoy anything regular children have, most particularly singing and music.

    For the Wonderling, an innocent-hearted, one-eared, fox-like eleven-year-old with only a number rather than a proper name—a 13 etched on a medallion around his neck—it is the only home he has ever known. But unexpected courage leads him to acquire the loyalty of a young bird groundling named Trinket, who gives the Home's loneliest inhabitant two incredible gifts: a real name—Arthur, like the good king in the old stories—and a best friend. Using Trinket's ingenious invention, the pair escape over the wall and embark on an adventure that will take them out into the wider world and ultimately down the path of sweet Arthur's true destiny.

    Richly imagined, with shimmering language, steampunk motifs, and gripping, magical plot twists, this high adventure fantasy is the debut novel of award-winning memoirist Mira Bartók and has already been put into development for a major motion picture.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrilliance Audio
    Release dateSep 26, 2017
    ISBN9781536685671
    Unavailable
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    Reviews for The Wonderling

    3.5/5

    58 ratings19 reviews

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    • 4/5
      What a great little story. So different, so imaginative. A very fun read! Well written. Adorable characters. Captivating story. Would definitely recommend this book!
    • 4/5
      What a great little story. So different, so imaginative. A very fun read! Well written. Adorable characters. Captivating story. Would definitely recommend this book!
    • 4/5
      This story opens in the Home for Wayward and Misbegotten Creatures, an institution run by evil Miss Carbunkle. The inmates of this prison-like orphanage are all 'groundlings'; beings that are half human, half animal and a one-eared fox groundling is the protagonist. Initially nameless, he is dubbed Arthur by Trinket, the half bird groundling he befriends. When the two escape from the Home, it is the start of a journey through a Dickensian, steampunk world in search of Arthur's destiny and Trinket's family. Whilst looking for his destiny, Arthur stumbles upon a plot to rid the world of music - a plot instigated by his nemesis, Miss Carbunckle.This story is fairytale-like and the illustrations give it an old-fashioned feel. The language is rich and layered with meaning, making this more suitable for older readers. However, this story will perhaps shine most as a read-aloud that would be enjoyed by both those hearing and the adult reading it. The world building is good but incomplete, however, as this seems to be the start of a series, this may be remedied in future volumes. There is also a movie being made of this story which will broaden its appeal to younger readers.
    • 3/5
      I received a galley of this book from LibraryThing Early Reviewers. This was not a final version of the book, and many of the illustrations were not yet included; the ones that were there were lovely.My feelings on this book are mixed. Wonderling creates a Dickensian-like world where sentient half-human, half-animal groundlings are treated as lesser citizens. There are steampunk inventions and magic and ancient beings. Against this backdrop, a one-eared fox groundling dubbed 13 endures endless abuses are he labors at Miss Carbunkle's orphanage. 13 is soon named Arthur by a friend, and they soon manage to escape their prison... only to find the outer world is very cruel and dangerous, too. There is a strong vibe of Oliver Twist through the first 2/3 of the book.While the book has its charms--and I'm sure the full illustrations will add to that--Arthur left me exasperated. He has no agency throughout the entire book. He doesn't make any major decisions; his friends and enemies do. He has no survival instincts at all, and considering the harshness of his early life, he should have picked up something. Instead, he is guileless. The plot dictates what happens, not Arthur. I found numerous character actions to be downright befuddling. Much of Arthur's journey is driven by his need to discover his roots--and the answer to that spontaneously comes to his mind at a convenient point at the end.
    • 5/5
      The Wonderling is an enchanting story for both young and older readers who love quests, good vs. evil tales, and getting immersed in an old-fashioned fantasy narrative. The main protagonist is a lovely, innocent foxling-human orphan who has to learn how to be brave, establish friendships, and overcome hardship in a search for his destiny. There are many fascinating animal-human characters, old magic creatures, and humans of various classes and motivations. The settings are beautifully described and range from wretched dungeons and underground environs to charming, warm tree homes to a strange white city made of luminescent stone. There is a very touching theme of the joy of music and song woven throughout the story. Mira Bartok has created a wonderful universe that is a pleasure to visit. Many thanks to Librarything Early Reviewers program for the advance reader copy - I can't wait to see the published version complete with illustrations.
    • 5/5
      The WonderlingWritten and illustrated by: Mira BartokI received an e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review."We are the music makers, And we are the dreamers of dreams."Quote from: Arthur O'Shaughnessy, "Ode""You are the Wonderling. It is your destiny. You must sing to the lonely, comfort the frightened, awaken the love in sleeping hearts."Quote from Mom to ArthurPlot:Number 13 is a groundling (part human, part animal). He has just one gorgeously foxy ear. He lives in a horrible institution without love, hope, or even a stray song. Eventually he makes a friend, Trinket (a small, wingless bird-type groundling). After #13 shows unusual bravery in saving Trinket's life, she names him Arthur. Eventually the two escape in order to find family and a place to really belong.Characters and Place Names:I love all the meaningful names in this book. Arthur gets his name from King Arthur - an adventurer, full of bravery and honor. Later in the book, we find that Arthur has family on Tintagel Street. Of course, all you Arthurian lore people out there remember that King A was conceived at Tintagel Castle. Uther Pendragon was given a glamour by Merlin to look like Duke Gorlois who was married to Igraine (Arthur's mom).I love too the poem (see above) from Arthur O'Shaughnessy. This quote is found at the very beginning of the book. It is very apropos as music is both Arthur's salvation as well as his way to make the word better. I couldn't help but wonder if the name, Arthur, was also a lovely tribute to Mr. O'Shaughnessy.The name of the institution where we first meet number 13 is, "Miss Carbunkle's Home for Wayward and Misbegotten Children". What a fabulous and horrible name! First, a carbuncle is a cluster of boils filled with bacteria - a truly icky and unwelcome growth. Also, think of the term, "misbegotten". It really does imply that the children there are against the laws of nature. Immediately the reader understands that these creatures there have been abandoned by society and are important to no one. Their fates are decided by the very nature of their birth. There could be no more explicit name.Quote over gate to Lumentown: "Lucas a Non Lucendo" - an illogical or absurd explanation. The name of Lumentown means "light" in Latin but the quote after implies that this is not the case.As I read this book, I began to feel that all the names had some sort of meaning. A trinket is a small, lovely thing that perhaps doesn't have much meaning. At the beginning of the book, everyone only saw our Trinket as a small person without value. However, the story shows us her true worth. Norahc (the ferryman) must be Charon spelled backwards. Charon was the ferryman of Hades who helped people cross the river Styx.I know I missed many more than I picked up. Author and Connection to Story:I did some research on this author. I'm a huge fan of her book, "The Memory Palace" which is a very personal and powerful book. I loved her story so much and highly recommend it. It did though feel very different from "The Wonderling" so I became curious about connections with her own story. I felt sure that, as an author, Ms. Bartok, would be sharing more of herself with us.I knew that the author's childhood had been very intense. She grew up with poverty, an unstable and unhealthy parent, threat of homelessness, and worry. She herself must surely be the model for Arthur. He is small and, at first, tries hard to just be invisible. He must survive and in the end, triumph over his circumstances. I thought that in many ways this book too is very personal for the author. She herself suffered a brain injury which impaired her memory. In "The Memory Palace" the author relates how noise and light can be overwhelming to her mom (who suffers from schizophrenia). I thought this was fascinating as Arthur is super sensitive to life too. He can hear things that others cannot - animals speaking, the fragrant sound of rain, the violent vibrations of machines. I loved this sort of visceral interaction with Arthur's world. I think too that this is why Arthur is so drawn to music. He is sensitive to sound and music. His reactions to different types of music are transportive and touched me. Music is so central to the story. Ms. Bartok's mom was a pianist and music has been an important part of both their lives. Overall:This book felt like an old-fashioned children's book - part fairy tale and part Dickens morality story showing class distinctions. I loved all the little bits related to Dickens and Oliver Twist - the innocent in the city who is almost converted to a life of crime "by friends" but is rescued by his own better nature (music in this case). Many of the characters even fit this mold. Dicken's books tried to shine a light on the wretched conditions in the slums of London and to problems associated with class distinction. Layers of society are also highlighted in this book (humans at the top and groundlings at the bottom). There is even a statue of degraded and groveling animals and wonderlings holding up a statue of glorious men. This felt so similar to the Ministry of Magic lobby in the Harry Potter books (with witches/ wizards on the too with pathetic house elves, goblins, etc. underneath).The food and locations are just beautifully rendered. The author seems to delight in filling her world with details which flesh out her creation and made it so immersive.My book copy does not have many illustrations yet. However, it did have a few. I also looked online and found several other illustrations for this book. They look to be lovely and (again) very detailed pen and ink or wood cut. They look gorgeous and I can't wait see the final copy when I buy it.This book is just full of wonderful jewels that require multiple readings in order to appreciate it fully. It is truly a new classic that will stand the test of time.
    • 5/5
      What a lovely and touching book. This is a beautifully written book that has the feeling of an ancient fairy tale. It is very sweet, and very magical, but it is also pretty harrowing. The human-animal hybrids who are the main characters here are slaves in the Dickensian world that Bartok has drawn with such detail. Bartok gives us a strong sense of how horribly these "groundlings" are treated by humans, and she also gives us a strong sense of their will to survive and even be happy, in spite of their horrifying circumstances. This is a humane, lovely, and magical book.
    • 4/5
      What a great little story. So different, so imaginative. A very fun read! Well written. Adorable characters. Captivating story. Would definitely recommend this book!
    • 3/5
      The groundlings are part human, part animal creatures from a different time and place. Like many abandoned and orphaned groundlings, Number 13 was taken to Miss Carbunkle’s Home for Wayward & Misbegotten Children. Number 13 can’t remember a time when he wasn’t here. To make things worse, he doesn’t even have a real name. One day Number 13 sees a tiny creature being bullied even worse than himself; he finally decides to do something about it. In a show of unusual courage, he saves the little ball of fluff and makes a real friend. The first of many new friends, this is just the beginning of an adventure for Number 13. The duo will be tested time and again as they uncover a diabolical plan and try to prevent it. In a race to save the sounds of music, Number 13 and his ragtag group of friends will have to rely on their instincts, bravery, and each other if there’s any hope of overcoming evil. The Bottom Line: This long fantasy is reminiscent of a Dickensian world with a nod to King Arthur and the knights of the round table as well. Filled with symbolism, references to classic works of fiction, and delightful black and white illustrations, this adventurous tale of friendship and overcoming fear may appeal to advanced middle grade or YA readers.
    • 4/5
      Delightful, magical, and lovely! An immersive, fully imagined world that's like our own at first glance, but with an added layer of steampunk, anthropomorphic animals, and magic. I sincerely hope the rest of the series measures up to this strong debut.
    • 2/5
      The Wonderling, by Mira Bartok, begins in the Home for Wayward and Misbegotten Creatures. It's an orphanage by an evil headmistress, Miss Carbunkle, who believes her charges live only to serve and suffer. However, this institution houses "groundlings," who are part animal and part human. They work in menial and dangerous factory jobs, forbidden to enjoy anything regular children have, most particularly singing and music. "Number Thirteen," also known as Arthur, is our protagonist, a painfully shy fox-like creature. Eventually he manages to escape with the help of a birdlike creature named Trinket and together they head out into the world to try and discover Arthur's dimly-remembered past.The book reminded me very much of Oliver Twist, with a fable or fantasy-like setting. It was quite melancholy and meandering -- Arthur seemed to have little agency or inner strength of character, and his naive approach and acceptance of events grated on me after a while. Not to my taste, unfortunately.
    • 4/5
      I gave this book to my nine year old, so these are his words and thoughts. The book was fun to read and full of interesting characters. It's a story that I haven't read before and I would like to read a sequel if there is another one coming.
    • 2/5
      I received this book as part of the LibraryThing EarlyReviewers program. I read the first half of the book (through page 226) and then stopped. It just wasn't clicking for me. The orphan (maybe) who escapes from a scary orphanage and then ends up in the big city, only to be taken in by the leader of a group of thieves, was just all too familiar. On the other hand, the manticore friend/pet of the owner of the orphanage, and the automatons, seemed to kindof come out of nowhere. I'm sure it all comes to a head further into the book, but even skimming it I couldn't get much out of what was going to happen next except the usual things. Mostly the book projected sadness - I know they make it out in the end but I'm not convinced the sadness goes away. I've seen other books cover this ground, and this one wasn't quite doing it for me - too melancholy.
    • 4/5
      I received this from the Early Reviewer department of Library Thing.It is a world of unusual creatures. Some are part human and part animal. These are called "groundlings." They are considered inferior and are considered only good for serving or working. Young ones are sent to Miss Carbunkle's Home For Wayward and Misbegotten Creatures. A type of orphanage that is a more of a workhouse than a place for children. They work constantly in the classroom and in the factory. They are not allowed to play, sing or do any activities most children enjoy.One resident is 11-years-old, about three feet tall, a fox-like appearance, one ear and an innocent heart. Instead of a name is is given the number 13 and wears a medallion with the number etched on it. Miss Carbunkle's is the only place he has known, and 13 is the only name he has known.When he rescues another underling from some bullies, he finds he has a friend — the first in his life. This bird creature is named Trinket. She is bubbly, enthusiastic and an inventor. When she finds 13 hasn't a name, she dubs him the name Arthur, as in King Arthur.Arthur has dim memories of living with parents, a street named Tintagel and being sung a lullaby. When he tells Trinket, she convinces him to escape from Miss Carbunkle's and find this place. She contrives a plan for the both of them to escape. Once they get over the walls, they are on their way on a great adventure.The setting is a cross of Dickensian, steampunk and magic. It is a charming read for kids — on their own or out loud, or for adults. There are illustrations sprinkled through the book to add a little visual information. The story is of adventure, friendship, family, dreams and doing the right thing.
    • 3/5
      He’s been known by many names, including Arthur, Spike, and Number Thirteen. A little hybrid creature known as a groundling, Arthur has lived his whole life in an orphanage, under the control of a cruel headmistress. When he and a friend get a chance to escape, they take it — but where will they go? Arthur hopes to find answers about his past, but it’s a long way to the city where he was born, and many dangers await him there.I wanted to like this book, but it never grabbed me. I read the first half before giving up, and it was like a cross between Annie and Oliver Twist, with fantasy elements and vaguely Arthurian themes thrown in. When I realized that I kept putting the book down after a page or two, I decided that this book is not for me. That’s not to say that others won’t enjoy it, particularly children who love fantasy adventure stories.
    • 4/5
      My 70th read of the year, which I gave 4.25 stars!I received an ARC (Advance Reading Copy) of this book from Candlewick Press, and it comes out on September 26th! I loved loved loved it.The Wonderling is a middle grade steampunk fantasy with elements of adventure. We follow a sweet and shy young groundling (who is part fox and part human) who doesn't have a name, and is referred to as Number 13. Our one-eared protagonist is living in a horrific, oppressive orphanage when an act of bravery introduces him to his first ever (true) friend. The two make plans to better their lives and discover their destinies, and the story continues from there.Though the intended audience for The Wonderling are readers aged 10-14, this book can be enjoyed at any age if you love tales of innocence, courage, and finding a sense of belonging. I can't wait to get a finished copy, because I can tell from the cover and the bits of art in the ARC that the illustrations will be gorgeous.I will be uploading a video review to my booktube channel next week!
    • 5/5
      The Wonderling by Mira Bartók is a children's fantasy following the life and adventures of Arthur, formerly Number 13. Arthur is a shy Groundling--a kind of human and animal hybrid--who grows up in Miss Carbunkle's Home for Wayward and Misbegotten Creatures. Even though the foxlike Groundling was born with only one ear, he has a keen sense of hearing and an ability to understand the rats and mice who live below the floorboards. Arthur befriends a bird Groundling named Trinket, who gives him his name and tells him about life outside the orphanage. They eventually decide to run away, and there the adventures begin.I had a hard time figuring out how to describe this book. I think of it as a cross between Redwall and Matilda, with echoes of Oliver Twist. At first I didn't think I would like the book. I found the first part of the story a bit slow and dark, but perhaps it was meant to be since life in the Home was so difficult for the Groundlings. The Home doubles as a steam-powered factory and Miss Carbunkle is cruel to her charges. They are not even allowed to sing. The story has elements of steampunk and fantasy while still keeping a foot in our world, i.e. with references to real-life composers. The story is multi-layered and some of the themes would be useful for starting conversations with children about prejudice, bullying, and hate as well as finding purpose and forgiveness. I think this is a good one for parents and children to read together.
    • 2/5
      The Wonderling, by Mira Bartok, begins in the Home for Wayward and Misbegotten Creatures. It's an orphanage by an evil headmistress, Miss Carbunkle, who believes her charges live only to serve and suffer. However, this institution houses "groundlings," who are part animal and part human. They work in menial and dangerous factory jobs, forbidden to enjoy anything regular children have, most particularly singing and music. "Number Thirteen," also known as Arthur, is our protagonist, a painfully shy fox-like creature. Eventually he manages to escape with the help of a birdlike creature named Trinket and together they head out into the world to try and discover Arthur's dimly-remembered past.The book reminded me very much of Oliver Twist, with a fable or fantasy-like setting. It was quite melancholy and meandering -- Arthur seemed to have little agency or inner strength of character, and his naive approach and acceptance of events grated on me after a while. Not to my taste, unfortunately.
    • 5/5
      "The Wonderling", opens with an anthropomorphised fox-like animal and what appears to be a pastoral version of Victorian England. In the first page, of the first chapter, we see the imaginative names and elaborate sentence structure. And therefore begins an entertaining adventure that reads as Dickens would. It's filled with breathtaking pages and the illustrations will be done in duotone.Bottom Line: I am in love...love....love. I could sing all day about it. It's like a combination of my favorite classics. This book is a treasure!Reviewed for Net Galley