Cluny The Scourge - Tumblr Posts
I found this blog today (yes, I know, I am late to the party because I'm new. You'll just have to tolerate me being excited about older things for a bit, hehe). Anyway, it's a great blog and this is a clever review, 10/10.
Read on to hear my "Thoughts on Good and Evil" (I almost typed Veil) and my Other Responses.
Thoughts on Good and Evil
I think that a lot of people agree that it would have been nice if Jacques wrote more about creatures whos morals did not match the stereotypes of their species. Upon further thought, though, I am happy to recognize that this has been explored! The deeper he got into the story, the more complex his characters got, so this is a message of hope for all beginning readers!
Jacques does hold the idea that "if you are bad you are bad, end of story." He has said that this is because Redwall is a children's series, so he wanted to make it simple for children to understand and relate to, which real human stories can't provide in the same way... "cunning fox vs. noble mouse," you see.
Of course, I don't like this, but I see no reason that we can't make a rat or a ferret a kind creature! It's our right to expand upon the idea that anyone could be good. (And it's also true that cold-blooded murderers are less redeemable than a cook who was rude to a hair or a father who wanted his daughter to stay at home.)
Brian says there are no grey areas and I simply do not believe him <3. Brian, you tell the story, but maybe you don't get everything right. At least, for my purposes, that is how I choose to view the wonderful creatures that fill these books.
Other Responses- Spoilers Ahead!
I would agree that the atmosphere is immaculate! I love it and will never stop talking about how I want to be friends with all of them.
Clowny is badass in a very bad way, "tell the devil Cluny sent you" is a line that I've always liked- he is so haughty to imply he is above the devil. Just... wow.
Skullface's death really was a shocking event; the book starts out showing you the peace and culture in the Abbey (as well as how sweet young Matthias is), and then changes perspectives immediately to show how powerful and grotesque Cluny the Scourge is. Skullface not only illustrates this- of course- but his story really tells you what you're in for in the rest of the story(ies). I just got the graphic novel version of this book, and the retelling of Skullface's death is particularly shocking in a visual format.
Thank you for your review! I have always loved lists.
Also, I have always thought that Killconey was an awesome name.
Reading every redwall book in publication order: Redwall
I finished Redwall like two nights ago and I’m only just now writing the review of it! Okay, lets dive in. (this is not a critical review, its just a bunch of my thoughts dumped into one spot)
Blurb:
Welcome to Mossflower Wood, where the gentle mice have gathered to celebrate a year of peace and abundance. All is well… until a sinister shadow falls across the ancient stone abbey of Redwall. It is rumored that Cluny is coming–Cluny, the terrible one-eyed rat and his savage horde–Cluny, who has vowed to conquer Redwall Abbey! The only hope for the besieged mice lies in the lost sword of the legendary Martin the Warrior. And so begins the epic quest of a bumbling young apprentice–a courageous mouse who would rise up, fight back… and become a legend himself.
Death count of named characters: 21
Death count of unnamed characters: literally unknowable. But definitely over a hundred.
Rating thing: Fun romp with a lot of plot in it, lots of characters to root for, and very satisfying to read.
Keep reading
Quotes from watching the Redwall TV show with my friends
"Redditwall"
"Daddy Abbot"
"Don't worry, he kills people instead of getting therapy. It's the same thing."
"That happened in Riverdale" *they leave the call*
"Skittle (derogatory)"
"Evil Matthias be like 'these aren't the rats that killed my family.'"
"Matthias be like 'you know what... sometimes violence is the answer. And by sometimes I mean always.'"
"Zaddy Martin." *in such a tired voice* "Rose... your days are numbered..."
"Is she a girlboss?" "No" "Oh..." [everyone, share your opinions, is Cornflower a girlboss?]
"High, or simply a weasel?"
"He's [Shadow is] so skrunkly! You're such a skrunkly boy!"
"Oh, I was making fun of women. 🎵Sorry for party rockin🎵"
*Enranged ramblings about the sizing in the Redwall universe*
"Damn, he gets no bitches." "MATTHIAS?!"
"Cuz Cluny has dreams of Martin haunting him..." "That's kinda gay"
*angry* "You did the right thing, MATTHIAS"
"They don't have to wear pants! You can't make them! Free the nipple!"
"The nipple is stored in the butt." *Looks up where rats nipples are because he believed me (I was lying)*
"I'm sorry Daddy Abbot... are you gonna punish me 🥺?"
"Someone should edit a gun into her hand there"
"My computer hates Redwall." "It's your fault for calling it Redditwall"
"Ragear is a bad boy. In his joker era."
Also, WARBEAK IS A GIRLBOSS I LOVE HER SO MUCH. The way she says "Crazymouse 😒" to Matthias- EXCUSE ME BUT THAT'S ADORABLE?? Anyway rant over I hope you liked my quotes~
Hahahaa which one was your favorite?
Oh my god oh my god oh my god
Headcanon adopted
Absolutely
so i was thinking…in Cluny’s introduction, BJ writes about rumors surrounding where Cluny came from–speculations that he’s “Portuguese” or “from the jungles far across the wide oceans.” Now, real places like Portugal are clearly no longer included in the Redwall mythos, but the thought persists–what if Cluny came from the Redwall-world equivalent of Brazil? That’s a jungle across the seas with Portuguese influence. This is a long-winded way of saying it would be cool if he were a woolly giant rat (Kunsia tomentosus), which are rather large black rats (well, they’re new world rats/cricetids so like…sort of) from Brazil and Bolivia. The main issue with this hc is that they have relatively short tails, about the same length as the average brown rat’s despite WGRs being larger overall. But I suppose that means Cluny would stand out especially among WGRs, which is good considering his reputation.
he fluffy lmao
I am convinced I can write about Redwall forever.
I recently posted that silly little phylogeny exercise, and by the end of the post, I realized that I had written something like nine paragraphs. That was a silly little nothing exercise! But in my head, everything in Redwall means something, and everything in Mossflower history is connected to everything else. My question is why can I write 2 and a half pages about nothing if its Redwall nothing, but I find a normal essay for class so difficult. It is because I am engaged and excited and in charge of this stuff. If I think about more things as Redwallian I will be much more lexic- and pleased with life.
Ridiculous.
Addendum: I am remembering my essay about Redwall and The Rogue Crew that I wrote last year and how I kept saying "I could write a whole book about this one specific detail." The detail was something about Cluny's social symbology. It was interesting that he was so powerful and mysterious, how he created that persona for himself and it later came crashing down through his own insecurities. He held such a high position, but he did not belong to a species that is usually characterized the way he was- except for the being evil part.
This is why all my posts are a task. Again, ridiculous. It is nice to have passion, though 😊
Speaking of Cluny's characterization, did you know that four out of the twenty-two books have rats as their main villain?
Mariel of Redwall with Gabool the Wild, a searat
Redwall (of course) with Cluny the Scourge, a bilge rat
The Long Patrol with Damug Warfang, a greatrat (apparently)
and Loamhedge with Raga Bol, written in the wiki just as "rat."
Interesting, huh? That's 18%
Ooooooo do I have the mind to bring an old project backkkk!!
I really will never stop talking about Cluny's characterization-- wonderful art. I look forward to Slagar!
“Cluny was a God of War! Cluny was coming nearer!”
I’m finally done with this piece. After about 2 years, I’ve decided to start making more portraits of Redwall villains. My first portrait was of Tsarmina Greeneye from “Mossflower” back in 2021. Next will probably be Slagar from “Mattimeo.”
I’m very happy with how Cluny turned out, but I’m less happy with the background. I really wish markers were better at coloring larger areas smoothly.
Cluny and the Redwall franchise © The Redwall Abbey Company Ltd.
Art © me.
@clickatickaclickaticka @toddhowardschildhoodbully you both tagged me in this it was very cute
GOOD ART!
BATTLE FOR REDWALL
Repost of a sketch of Cluny the Scourge that looks like it's frommmm 2021. And I think I drew this in excitement for the movie.
Sighs.
anyway i still love him ;-;
They are going to conquer and rule all of rodentdom, I think.