Saturnalia, Paul Fleischman
Saturnalia, Paul Fleischman
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Saturnalia

Author: Paul Fleischman

Narrator: Charlie Thurston

Unabridged: 3 hr 15 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/01/2013

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included

Synopsis

It is December 1681, and the words of Mr. Baggot, the tithingman, terrify young William. William is living a strange double life. By day he is a printer's apprentice living in a white man's house. By night, he is Weetasket of the Narraganset tribe who must risk Baggot's wrath to search for his lost brother. Then comes the winter celebration of the Saturnalia—the ancient Roman holiday on which masters and slaves trade roles. Will William's secrets be revealed? And what dark deeds of others will be brought to light on this fateful night?

About Paul Fleischman

Paul Fleischman grew up in Santa Monica, California, in a house with a printing press, a grand piano, a shortwave radio, and his father—children’s author Sid Fleischman. Playing recorder in early music consorts led to his books of verbal duets: I Am Phoenix, Joyful Noise (winner of the 1989 Newbery Medal), and Big Talk. His novels built from monologues include Bull Run, a sixteen-character account of the Civil War’s first battle, and Seedfolks, the chronicle of the first year of a Cleveland community garden. His interest in theater inspired his young adult novels Mind’s Eye, Seek, and Breakout, all of which revolve around the spoken word. His historical fiction includes Saturnalia and The Borning Room. He’s written nonfiction and picture books as well, including Time Train, Weslandia, and Sidewalk Circus. Alongside the Newbery Medal, he’s won a Newbery Honor Book, the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction, the PEN West Literary Award, the California Young Reader Medal, and most recently was a finalist for the 2003 National Book Award.

About Charlie Thurston

Charlie Thurston is an experienced audiobook narrator, actor, and playwright who has received numerous Earphones Awards for his work. He has appeared on Law and Order: SVU, and his voice can be heard in audiobooks such as The Oracle Year, Southernmost, The Terranauts, and The Unfinished Life of Addison Stone.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Kit on August 22, 2020

An exciting and surprising historical fiction title about race, class, and keeping your origins in a time of colonization.......more

Goodreads review by Kellyn on February 28, 2008

William, a fourteen-year old printer’s apprentice, lives in Boston. In 1675, when he was eight-years old, he was captured in a British raid against the Narraganset Indians. Most of his family and tribe were killed. William is extremely bright and excels as an apprentice. The printer, Mr. Currie, is......more

Goodreads review by Jamey on December 07, 2020

Saturnalia, by Paul Fleischman, is written in the style of such movies as “Valentines Day”, “New Year’s Eve” and “New York, I Love You.” There are multiple characters, multiple plots, and the various characters and plots intertwine here and there throughout the novel. The book’s main character is an......more

Goodreads review by Dawn on March 19, 2018

This was only a little over a 100 pages so I read it in one night. It was a hard book to follow. It was set back in the 1600's and I really didn't like the fact that Mr. Biggot could go around hitting kids in the head with his septer if they got questions wrong it just was not a read for me.......more

Goodreads review by Danny on February 23, 2014

Saturnalia being only 113 pages long could be overlooked by many people that think a good book is a longer book. The main character's name is William. He was a Native American who was taken from his home by Puritans after his family had been massacred. In the beginning Mr. Baggot, when asking the ki......more

Quotes

“Rich and alluring…With exceptional skill, Fleischman evokes an aura of days gone by through a series of interrelated vignettes. Offering lyrical prose, resonant themes, and a tragicomic tone, this story will captivate those who seek a challenging and enlightening read.” Publishers Weekly

“Melodious writing, revealing images, and a colorful, outlandish cast characterize this unusual novel that revels in surprises.” School Library Journal

“Delightful…Fleischman’s entertaining caricatures of such colonists as the piggish wigmaker and his devious, brazen manservant will bring many chuckles as the plot moves seriously through one narrow escape from danger after another. Readers enjoying a challenge will read straight through this short book and learn of prejudice in colonial life as well as bravery and character.” Children’s Literature

Awards

  • Boston Globe-Horn Book Award
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