Arion and the Dolphin - Hardcover

Seth, Vikram

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0525453849 ISBN 13: 9780525453840

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile, 1995

Synopsis

A retelling of the ancient Greek legend of a young Corinthian musician who, having won a gold prize for his singing, is thrown overboard by greedy sailors and befriends a dolphin who becomes his rescuer and protector.

About this title

About the Author:

Vikram Seth was born in 1952. He trained as an economist and has lived for several years each in England, California, China and India. He is the author of A Suitable Boy, which was an international number one bestseller, An Equal Music and several other novels. He has also written five volumes of poetry including Beastly Tales.

From Publishers Weekly:

This unusual picture-book retelling of a Greek legend, about a young musician who swims with a dolphin, combines verse and prose, taking its life from Seth's (A Suitable Boy) libretto for an opera also called Arion and the Dolphin. The murky plot involves a music contest, a fateful journey across the Ionian Sea and the dolphin's demise, and it may prove difficult for younger readers to follow. The stiff and often formal-sounding phrasing is also a potential stumbling block. Ray's (Noah's Ark; Magical Tales from Many Lands) foamy greens and blues and her playful perspectives provide many passages with much-needed movement, and her chiseled-faced, toga-clad characters fit the ancient setting perfectly. Kids will readily identify with a few Free Willy-esque moments here, especially when the dolphin is seized for use as a performer (it dies in captivity). However, a mild environmental theme and the pleasant visuals are not likely to hold the reader's interest for long. All ages.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0525453849
• ISBN 13: 9780525453840
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Ray Jane