The marvelous misadventures of Sebastian Book

The Marvelous Misadventures of Sebastian was a fun and ridiculous story to read. Lloyd Alexander's detailed descriptions of each character brings them comically to life, whether they're the enormously fat, Purse, or the flashy ringleader of the Gallimaufry-Theatricus, Quicksilver. Mr. Alexander in the most entertaining way tells a story of how music is both a delight and a curse, one which requires the musician to give of himself to produce the best music, even at the risk of his own well-being. The music Sebastian is able to produce from the accursed fiddle of Lelio makes princesses laugh, whole royal courts and servants dance until they collapse in exhaustion, and change the fate of a kingdom. In his beautiful fashion, Lloyd Alexander also makes it a condition that such powerful magic can only be used by those who truly search inside themselves for the skill and gifts that lie dormant inside even the most insignificant of people, even a Fourth Fiddle in Baron Purn-Hessel's orchestra.

The Marvelous Misadventures of Sebastian follows Baron Purn-Hessel's Fourth Fiddle, Sebastian, after he is unexpectedly dismissed for making The Purse think he ripped his pants from bending too low through a well-timed shriek from his fiddle. During his "misadventures", Sebastian finds that many people use names that are quite deceiving, such as the Merry Host, the Royal Road, the Captain, and even a cat that is called a witch. Along his travels, the goal of which are mostly to find something to eat, Sebastian finds himself teamed up with an innocent faced man named Nicholas with many trades, and a Princess who speaks in the third person, on a mission to stop the greedy and loveless Regent Grinssorg. With his faithful cat Presto, Sebastian finds himself falling into one misadventure after the other, including, but not limited to, the circus, prison, the Regent's court, and in love.

Although not one of the best Lloyd Alexander stories I've read, The Marvelous Misadventures of Sebastian was a fun adventure to take part in. The plot was straight-forward, the characters lovable. I constantly admire how Lloyd Alexander bleeds beautiful morals and thought-provoking commentaries on virtue, politics, man and boyhood, art and music, into every children's story he writes. Even this, which was an underwhelming story, was better than many other children's books released these days, and I think completely capable of entertaining a child just as well. 4/5 stars.