The Wild Book

Juan Villoro (Translated by Lawrence Schimel)

Category: Young Adult | Fiction | Magical Realism

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ABOUT THE BOOK

A glorious homage to libraries.

From one of Mexico’s foremost authors comes a wondrous adventure story of a boy who goes to live with his book-obsessed uncle in a library where books have supernatural powers. An unforgettable adventure story, about the magic of books, libraries and the power of reading.

Thirteen-year-old Juan’s summer is off to a terrible start. First, his parents separate. Then, almost as bad, Juan is sent away to his strange Uncle Tito’s house for the entire holiday! Who wants to live with an oddball recluse who has zigzag eyebrows and lives inside a mysterious library? As Juan adjusts to his new life among dusty shelves, he notices something weird: the books move on their own! Uncle Tito lets his nephew in on a secret: Juan is a Princeps Reader, which means books respond magically to him, and he’s the only one who can find the elusive, never-before-read Wild Book.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JUAN VILLORO is Mexico’s most prolific, prize-winning author, playwright, journalist, and screenwriter. His books have been translated into many languages. Several of his titles have appeared in English, including his collection on football, God Is Round and a novel, The Reef. Villoro lives in Mexico City. Lawrence Schimel is an award-winning author and translator. He lives in Madrid and New York City.

REVIEWS

‘This is a beautifully written ode to the inherent magic of books and reading. … Translated by award-winning Lawrence Schimel, Juan Villoro’s prose is lovely and clear. Villoro, ‘Mexico’s Updike,’ is his nation’s most prolific, prize-winning writer.

Claire Foster, Foreword Reviews, Five-Star Review

‘Juan Villoro’s The Wild Book — a story in which books themselves are characters — is an especially good example... In Uncle Tito’s library, the books choose their readers. So Villoro’s novel chose me. Equal parts ecology and magical realism. The best stories are wild, after all... Villoro entrusts young readers to care for and sustain the magic — and in doing so, takes them seriously. But the novel is also generous with its adults.… Villoro’s novel illuminates why YA literature has such a large adult readership.’

Kristin Van Tassel, Los Angeles Review of Books

‘This quirky tale – originally published in Mexico – is a delight, giving books a life of their own. Before long, you'll see your reading list in a whole new way…. The Wild Book has a classic, magical feel, but it's also grounded in reality, as we see Juan coming to terms with his parents' separation and his feelings for Catalina, the girl who works in the local pharmacy.... A must-read for book-lovers everywhere.’
BookTrust, Five-Star Review

‘This is a must have/read for bookworms. You will love it, I promise. Something different and adventurous but brilliant. This is actually going in my top ten of the year and has to be one of my new all time favourite reads. The cover is beautiful too. One I won’t forget. I fell in love with this story and the characters. There are so many beautiful quotes in this book I lost count. Can easily be devoured in one sitting. Beautiful! I also want Uncle Tito’s house aka library. Brilliantly written and translated story, so some credit needs to be given to the awesome translator for letting me read this story. Thank you Lawrence Schimel. The perfect escape from life. Absolutely loved every minute of it. A well deserved five stars, place in my heart and top ten of the year. Highly recommend.’

Between The Pages Book Club

‘A rewarding and bewitching story which goes to the heart of why books are so powerful and incredible… If you consider yourself a bibliophile, this, quite simply, is a must-read. Delicate, fine and surprising turns of phrase pack this novel… Mixing moments of humour with splashes of original beauty. The smooth and seamless translation is a delight, as are the glimpses into another culture... The emotional sensitivity of Villoro’s novel is nuanced and subtle. Perfect for intrepid book explorers who relish getting lost inside the pages of a book, The Wild Book is a dazzling adventure you’ll not want to miss.’

Zoe Toft, Playing by the Book

‘Rich on multiple levels, a cast of colourful characters, plots and twists galore, and plenty of humour, author Juan Villoro weaves his words with a style that will delight older kids, start to finish, making The Wild Book a wild ride, indeed.’
Kendal A. Rautzhan, The Port Huron Times Herald

‘This book is awesome. It is also a great adventure story, one that is even believable because the author’s name is also Juan, so that is really funny. I like how The Wild Book acts – the books are characters in this story, too, and some of them become good friends with Juan and help him. This is a great story for anyone who loves books like I do!’

Raifl - Age 9, Kids’ Book Buzz, Five-Star Review

‘‘I'm absolutely envious of the young readers who are about to discover the magic of Juan Villoro's The Wild Book.’

David Gonzalez, Skylight Books

‘Villoro’s light-hearted and timeless voice makes it easy to suspend any disbelief and revel in the bookish magic.’

Caitlin Kling, Booklist