imported>LordTBT: /* Redwall Collector's Editions and Reprints */

2026-10-22T04:31:01Z

Redwall Collector's Editions and Reprints

New page

''This article is about the book ''Redwall''. For the place, see [[Redwall Abbey]]. For the series, see [[About#What_Is_Redwall.3F|Redwall series]]. If you are visiting us for the first time, please go [[About#Welcome|here]].''
{{Book2|usimage=
<gallery>
RedwallUSCover.jpg|U.S. HC
RedwallCollectors2026.jpg|U.S. 2026
Redwall20th2.jpg|U.S. 20th
Redanniversaryhc.jpg|U.S. 10th
Redwall2000pb.jpg|U.S. 10th
RedwallSoftcover.jpg|U.S. PB
RedwallFirebird.jpg|U.S. PB
Redwall10.jpg|U.S. 2010
</gallery>
|usimagecap=''Redwall'', [[Book_Cover_Gallery#Redwall|U.S. Covers]]|year=[[1986]]|ill=[[Gary Chalk]]|uscov=[[Troy Howell]]|ukcov=[[Pete Lyon]]|pg=351|isbn=0399214240|isbn13=9780399214240|chron=9|pub=1|ukimage=
<gallery>
RedwallHardcover.jpg|UK HC
UKRedwallCollectorsEd.jpg|UK 10th
RedwallAlternateCover.jpg|UK PB
ModernRedwallUK.jpg|UK 06-07
RedwallVCC.jpg|UK 2014
</gallery>
|ukimagecap=''Redwall'', UK Covers
|author=[[Brian Jacques]]
|publisher=*Philomel (U.S.)
*Hutchinson Children's Books (UK)
|fol=''[[Mossflower]]''
}}

'''''Redwall''''' is the first book in the epic ''Redwall'' series by [[Brian Jacques]]. The fantasy novel was originally published on October 23, [[1986]], in the UK by Hutchinson Children's Books after Jacques' friend Alan Durband covertly sent the manuscript to his publisher without informing Jacques. It became an overnight success. In [[1987]], Redwall crossed the Atlantic to the U.S., courtesy of Philomel Books, a division of Penguin, where [[Patricia Lee Gauch]], the editor of 16 novels in the series, discovered the manuscript. Philomel publisher Michael Green also edited ''Redwall''. Twenty-two ''Redwall'' novels were published through [[2011]].

What sets the novel ''Redwall'' apart from the rest of the series is its origin as a book never intended for publication. As a consequence, the storyline features unique elements that distinguish it from later works. Readers encounter mentions of a [[Horse|horse]], a [[Beaver|beaver]], dogs, towns, real-world references, size discrepancies, and the distinctive actions of certain characters, making ''Redwall'' a [[Redwall FAQ|one-of-a-kind adventure]] within the series. After Redwall's expansion from one book into additional novels, these narrative elements were retconned.

===Book Divisions (English)===
*'''Book 1:''' The Wall
*'''Book 2:''' The Quest
*'''Book 3:''' The Warrior

===Summary===
After marauding brute [[Cluny the Scourge]] attacks the peaceful residents of [[Redwall Abbey]] with his [[Cluny's Horde|horde]] of evildoers, a young mouse, [[Matthias]], embarks on a quest to retrieve the legendary [[Sword of Martin|sword]] of Abbey founder, defender, and hero [[Martin the Warrior]], which he believes will provide victory over the threatening vermin. [[Methuselah]], the Abbey gatekeeper, finds a riddle hidden behind the [[Redwall Tapestry|tapestry]] of Martin, which leads the two mice to the warrior's [[Martin the Warrior's Tomb|secret underground tomb]].

Meanwhile, [[Late Rose Summer Wars|Cluny schemes to take Redwall]]. He directs a [[Shadow|horde member]] to steal Martin's tapestry from inside [[Great Hall]] in an effort to reduce Abbey morale.

Having discovered Martin's shield and sword belt within the tomb, another rhyme instructs Matthias to place the shield above [[the Gatehouse]]. At night, it reflects moonlight up onto the weathervane, indicating the sword's location. The mice enlist the help of [[Jess Squirrel]] to scale the Abbey and retrieve the sword, however, she is attacked by the [[Sparra]], birds who reside on the Abbey [[The Roof|roof]]. The young [[Queen Warbeak|Warbeak]] is taken captive, and Methuselah tricks her into revealing that her leader, [[King Bull Sparra]], may possess the great sword. Matthias and Warbeak visit the [[Warbeak Loft|Sparra loft]], but the dangerous king refuses to release Matthias when he learns the sword is now owned by an adder, [[Asmodeus Poisonteeth]]. Warbeak and her [[Dunwing|mother]] protect Matthias and the two young ones become friends. Dunwing develops a plan to allow Matthias to escape by distracting King Bull Sparra, but when Matthias retrieves the sword's scabbard and attempts to flee, he's spotted by King Bull Sparra, who attacks him. The pair plunges into the [[Redwall Abbey Pond]], with the fall having fatal results for the menacing sparrow monarch.

Cluny attempts to climb a tall elm tree and use a plank to enter Redwall. The Abbey leaders uncover the plan, and Constance flings Cluny off of the plank, severely injuring him. Cluny employs local trickster foxes [[Sela]] and her son, [[Slagar the Cruel|Chickenhound]], to help heal him. The pair intend to tell the Redwallers about Cluny's future plans, but Cluny, who learns of these efforts, gives Sela fakes instead. He soon orders their execution for treachery. Sela is killed, but Chickenhound survives and deceives his way into Redwall, which he pillages. When Methuselah bravely attempts to stop his thieving, Chickenhound hits him with a sack filled with valuables, unintentionally killing the frail old mouse, and flees into [[Mossflower Woods]]. The fox encounters Asmodeus in the wilderness and receives a nasty bite. Jess and [[Basil Stag Hare]] retrieve the tapestry and place it in its rightful location in Great Hall.

Matthias, now recovered from his fight with King Bull Sparra, sets out to defeat Asmodeus and reclaim the sword for Redwall Abbey. He receives assistance from the argumentative [[Guerilla Union of Shrews in Mossflower]], [[Log-a-Log (Redwall)|Log-a-Log]], and the president of the shrew union, [[Guosim (shrew)|Guosim]]. They direct him to [[Gingivere's Farm|the farm]] of wildcat [[Squire Julian Gingivere]], who is feuding with owl [[Captain Snow]]. The young mouse meets with Snow, using a token from Basil as protection from a predatory attack, and strikes a deal: if he can successfully regain the sword, Snow will never eat another mouse or shrew, and he will reconcile with Julian. Matthias tracks Asmodeus to his lair in the [[Quarry]], beheads the adder, and acquires the sword, although Guosim is killed by Asmodeus.

The warrior returns to Redwall, which has been captured by Cluny in his absence. With the help of the shrews and Warbeak's Sparra, he launches an attack and fights Cluny in [[the Bell Tower]]. Matthias slices the [[Joseph Bell]] from its rope after [[Friar Hugo]] is caught while hiding under the stairs, and it falls, killing Cluny. [[Abbot Mortimer]] dies shortly thereafter, as Cluny had lashed the Abbey's leader with his poisoned tail barb.

Before Abbot Mortimer passes, he tells Matthias that he must not become a brother of Redwall, but instead decrees Matthias as the Warrior of Redwall Abbey and protector of all its residents. The Abbot names Martin's sword Ratdeath, and instructs Matthias and [[Cornflower Fieldmouse]] to wed and dwell in the Abbey Gatehouse. [[Abbot Mordalfus|Brother Mordalfus]] succeeds Mortimer as the new Abbot. After their marriage, Matthias and Cornflower have a son, [[Mattimeo]].

===Characters===
Please see [[:Category:Redwall Characters|Characters in ''Redwall'']].

===Notable Awards===
Winner:
*[[User_blog:LordTBT/News:Redwall_Makes_TIME%27s_100_Best_Fantasy_Books_of_All_Time_List|TIME Magazine's 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time]] ([[2020]])
*Lancashire Libraries Children's Book of the Year Award (1988)
*Western Australian Young Readers' Award
*Parents' Choice Honor Book for Literature (1987)
*''Booklist'' Editor's Choice Award (1987)
*American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults (1987)
*''School Library Journal'' Best Book (1987)

Nominated:
*Carnegie Medal (1988)

===Redwall Collector's Editions and Reprints===
The first publisher of the ''Redwall'' series, Hutchinson, issued reprints of the original UK hardcover in 1990 and 1994. The 1990 edition had an increased price from £7.95 to £9.99. The 1994 edition featured updated dust jacket copy that referred to the series as a whole as well as a £12.99 price, and listed the published ''Redwall'' books up to ''[[The Bellmaker]]''. The [[User_blog:LordTBT/News:Redwall_Collectors_Community:_The_5_UK_Redwall_Hardcovers|ISBN stayed the same for all three versions]].

From 2006 to 2007 in the UK, [[Publishers|Random House]] re-released all 14 ''Redwall'' books in their catalog as paperbacks with [[Blacksheep UK|new cover artwork]]. Around [[2010]], Firebird released [[2010 Redwall Editions|new paperback editions of the entire series]].

There's also the following ''Redwall'' special editions. Click to learn more.

<gallery>
RedwallCollectors2026.jpg|''Redwall: The Collector's Edition'' ([[2026]])|link=Redwall: The Collector's Edition
Redwall30thPaperback.jpg|''Redwall'' 30th Anniversary Edition (2017)|link=Redwall: 30th Anniversary Edition
Redwall20th.jpg|''Redwall'' 20th Anniversary Edition (2007)|link=Redwall: 20th Anniversary Edition
20thgift.jpg|''Redwall: 20th Anniversary Gift Package'' (2007)|link=Redwall: 20th Anniversary Gift Package
Redwallauthorlimited.jpg|''Redwall'' Author's Limited Edition|link=Redwall: Author's Limited Edition
Redanniversaryhc.jpg|U.S. ''Redwall'' 10th Anniversary Edition (1997)|link=Redwall: 10th Anniversary Edition (U.S.)
Redcollecuk.jpg|UK ''Redwall'' 10th Anniversary Edition (1997)|link=Redwall: 10th Anniversary Edition (UK)
</gallery>

===Adaptations===
====Musical====
In [[1998]], ''Redwall'' was adapted into a two-act musical opera by Evelyn Swennson, ''[[Redwall: The Legend of Redwall Abbey]]''.

====TV====
''Redwall'' was adapted into a [[Redwall TV Series|three season TV series]] by Nelvana in [[1999]]. [[Redwall - Season 1|Season one]] is based on ''Redwall''.

====Redwall Graphic Novel====
In [[2007]], ''Redwall'' was adapted into a [[Redwall: The Graphic Novel|graphic novel]] by [[Stuart Moore]] and [[Bret Blevins]].

====Film====
There have been several unsuccessful attempts to [[Redwall Film Adaptations|adapt ''Redwall'' to film]] over the decades. The most recent effort was [[Redwall (Netflix)|by Netflix]].

===Literary Analyses===
*''[https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3057&context=etd From Wanderer to Warrior: Martin's Journey to Sainthood in Brian Jacques's Redwall Series]''
*''[https://www.researchwithrutgers.com/en/publications/the-writing-on-the-wall-of-redwall The writing on the wall of Redwall]''
*''[https://muse.jhu.edu/article/39427/pdf The Monastic Life and the Warrior's Quest: The Middle Ages from the Viewpoint of Animals in Brian Jacques's Redwall Novels]''

===Unique to ''Redwall''===
The following consists of narrative elements that are unique to ''Redwall'', and are never referenced again, nor appear in later books:

*Real world countries, like Portugal (Cluny is described as "Portuguese")
*Towns and villages as settlements
*Horses, Beavers, Dogs, Cows, Pigs, and Lambs as characters and/or viable species
*Years as an element of time (later changed to Seasons)
*The shield of Martin the Warrior
*Inconsistent character and location sizes
*The name "Ratdeath" for the sword of Martin the Warrior
*Religious references - e.g. "the devil", "Satan", "hell"; ecclesiastical aspects (church pulpit, choir loft, lady chapel, lectern, hymn books), etc.
*References to calendar months and times ("June," "11 o'clock", etc.)

It is also worth noting that a significant part of ''Redwall'''s plot involves searching for Martin the Warrior's sword, which is supposed to be hidden on the Abbey's roof by Martin himself, however a [[Mariel of Redwall|book written after ''Redwall'']] that occurs chronologically before its story has the sword actually in Martin's tomb first, seemingly a retcon of its initial placement, yet still explainable.

Mortimer tells Matthias that Martin slew a wildcat enemy with his sword; this villain, revealed to be [[Tsarmina Greeneyes]] in ''Mossflower'', died by drowning after a battle. When asked "In ''Redwall'' it says that Martin killed Tsarmina, but in ''Mossflower'' it says that she drowned. What really happened?", Jacques replied "He defeated her in the water, so probably both are true." (''Ask Brian, Volume 4'')

===Audiobooks===
''Redwall'' has been adapted into several different [[Redwall Audiobooks|audiobook]] formats with different narrators and full cast recordings.

<gallery widths="135" columns="4" captionalign="center" expand="true" navigation="true">
Redwalltellastory.jpg|Redwall ([[1994]])|link=Redwall (1994 audiobook)
Redwallaudio1995.jpg|Redwall ([[1995]])|link=Redwall (1995 audiobook)
RedwallLLaudio1997.jpg|Redwall (1997)|link=Redwall (1997 Listening Library)
RedwallAudio.jpg|Redwall (1997)|link=Redwall (1997 audiobook tape)
Redwallaudio1997.jpg|Redwall ([[1997]])|link=Redwall (1997 audiobook)
Redwalltapes1999UK.jpg|Redwall ([[1999]])|link=Redwall (1999 audiobook)
Redwallaudio2007.jpg|Redwall ([[2007]])|link=Redwall (2007 audiobook)
RedwallAudioAus2016.jpg|Redwall ([[2014]])|link=Redwall (2014 audiobook one)
RedwallAudioAus20162.jpg|Redwall (2014)|link=Redwall (2014 audiobook two)
RedwallAudioAus20163.jpg|Redwall (2014)|link=Redwall (2014 audiobook three)
Redwall2022audiobook.jpg|Redwall ([[2022]])|link=Redwall (2022 audiobook)
</gallery>

===Trivia===
*Watch Brian Jacques discuss what inspired him to write ''Redwall'' [https://youtu.be/YquNUD9ESOE?si=pkL9qiFPdB9dVQE2&t=237 in the Redwall TV Series].
*Watch Brian Jacques discuss what inspired him to write ''Redwall'' [https://youtu.be/4nYDN8k33tM?si=tWQMXYw70hI2qYXq&t=27 on his 2008 U.S. tour].
*''Redwall'' was originally written by hand on 800 sheets of recycled paper kept in a Safeway grocery bag.

*''Redwall'' was first read in the U.S. [[User_blog:LordTBT/The_First_American_To_Read_Redwall|by Putnam editorial assistant Arthur Levine]].

*Kirkdale, Liverpool's [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idy0kWI_XTM Stanley Park was an inspiration] for ''Redwall''.
*In several printings of ''Redwall'', Killconey is identified inconsistently throughout the text as either male or female. Brian Jacques confirmed that Killconey was male.
*Out of all of the ''Redwall'' series novels, ''Redwall'' contains the most character deaths via the Sword of Martin.



===Release details===
*1986, UK, Hutchinson Children's Books Ltd., {{ISBN|0091650909}}, Pub. Date: October 1986, Hardcover
*[[1987]], US, Philomel Books, {{ISBN|0399214240}}, Pub. Date: August 1987, Hardcover
*1987, UK, Random House/Red Fox, {{ISBN|0099512009}}, Pub. Date: September 1987, Paperback
*[[1990]], US, Avon Books, {{ISBN|0380708272}}, Pub. Date: March 1990, Paperback
*1990, UK, Hutchinson Children's Books Ltd., {{ISBN|0091650909}}, Pub. Date: 1994, Hardcover
*[[1991]], UK, Arrow/Red Fox, {{ISBN|9780099512004}}, Pub. Date: November 1991, Paperback
*[[1994]], UK, Legend Books, {{ISBN|009931911X}}, Pub. Date: November 1994, Paperback
*1994, UK, Hutchinson Children's Books Ltd., {{ISBN|0091650909}}, Pub. Date: 1994, Hardcover
*[[1997]], UK, Hutchinson Children's Books Ltd., {{ISBN|0091767296}}, Pub. Date: July 1997, Hardcover
*1997, US, Philomel Books, {{ISBN|0399231609}}, Pub. Date: October 1997, Hardcover
*[[1998]], US, Ace, {{ISBN|0441005489}}, Pub. Date: June 1998, Paperback
*[[2000]], US, Philomel Books, {{ISBN|9780399236297}}, Pub. Date: September 2000, Paperback
*2000, UK, Author's Limited Edition, {{ISBN|0091893798}}, Pub. Date: 2000, Hardcover
*[[2002]], US, Thorndike Press, {{ISBN|0786238585}}, Pub. Date: February 2002, Hardback
*2002, US, Puffin, {{ISBN|9780142302378}}, Pub. Date: September 2002, Paperback
*2002, UK, Penguin Putnam Books, {{ISBN|0142302376}}, Pub. Date: September 2002, Paperback
*[[2006]], UK, Red Fox, {{ISBN|1862301387}}, Pub. Date: August 2006, Paperback
*2006, US, Red Fox, {{ISBN|1862301387}}, Pub. Date: September 2006, Paperback
*[[2007]], US, Philomel Books, {{ISBN|0399247947}}, Pub. Date: October 2007, Hardcover
*[[2008]], US, Ace, {{ISBN|9780441005482}}, Pub. Date: Unknown, Paperback
*[[2010]], US, Firebird Books, {{ISBN|9780142302378}}, Pub. Date: January 2010, Paperback
*[[2014]], UK, [[User_blog:LordTBT/News:Redwall_Collectors_Community:_Redwall,_2014_UK_edition|Vintage Children's Classics]], {{ISBN|9780099595182}}, Pub. Date: June 2014, Paperback
*[[2018]], US, Ace, {{ISBN|9780441005482}}, Pub. Date: Unknown, Paperback
*[[2026]], US, Philomel Books, {{ISBN|9798217318698}}, Pub. Date: October 2026, Hardcover

[[de:Redwall]]
[[fr:Cluny le Fléau (livre)]]
[[ru:Воин Рэдволла]]
{{books}}
[[Category:Books]]
[[Category:Redwall Books]]

Redwall - Revision history

imported>LordTBT: /* Redwall Collector's Editions and Reprints */