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The Talking Parcel
Gerald Durrell Book Review

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Plot Summary of The Talking Parcel
"Three children find themselves in a land where all the different creatures from the myths live. There they have to fight the basiliscs who try to take over."
irina, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of The Talking Parcel
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 20%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 30%




Tone of book - very upbeat
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy world/fantasy past
Plotlets: - exploring a wondrous planet or phenomena
Repressive society story Yes
Mental/magical powers focus Yes
War or Invasion Yes
Is this an adult or child's book? - Kid's book (ages 7-14)

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - mage/magician
Age: - long lived adults
Has magical/special powers? Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character: - can cast many different spells
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - average physique

Main Adversary
Identity: - animal
Age: - long-lived adults
Profession/status: - unemployed
Has magical powers? Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist: - fire/thunder/weather cntrl
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - an above average amount
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
Intelligence - Average intelligence

Setting
Earth setting: - 20th century
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death
How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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