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The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge Paperback – Illustrated, April 14, 2020

by M. T. Anderson (Author), Eugene Yelchin (Author, Illustrator)

4.6 159 ratings

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“Both moving and hilarious. Spurge is not just an unlikely hero — it’s hard to know if he’s a hero at all. But that only makes the finale of this political satire all the more surprising.” — The New York Times Book Review

Uptight elfin historian Brangwain Spurge is on a mission: survive being catapulted across the mountains into goblin territory, deliver a priceless peace offering to their mysterious dark lord, and spy on the goblin kingdom — from which no elf has returned alive in more than a hundred years. Brangwain’s host, the goblin archivist Werfel, is delighted to show Brangwain around. They should be the best of friends, but a series of extraordinary double crosses, blunders, and cultural misunderstandings throws these two bumbling scholars into the middle of an international crisis that may spell death for them — and war for their nations. Witty mixed-media illustrations show Brangwain’s furtive missives back to the elf kingdom, while Werfel’s determinedly unbiased narrative tells an entirely different story. This National Book Award finalist and hilarious, biting social commentary is rife with thrilling action, visual humor, and a comic disparity that suggests the ultimate victor in a war is perhaps not who won, but who gets to write the history.

Reading age

10 - 14 years
Print length

544 pages
Language

English
Grade level

5 - 9
Lexile measure

760L
Dimensions

6.06 x 1.31 x 8.25 inches
Publisher

Candlewick
Publication date

April 14, 2020
ISBN-10

1536213098
ISBN-13

978-1536213096
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From the Publisher

fantasy;middle grade;middle grade fantasy;fantasy for kids;The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge

''One for the history books.'' — Booklist (starred review)

"The story by Anderson and Yelchin blends the absurd and the timely to explore commonality, long-standing conflict, and who gets to write a world’s history." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

fantasy;middle grade;middle grade fantasy;fantasy books for kids;Assassination of Brangwain Spurge

"Splendid." —Kirkus Review (starred review)

“Anderson and Yelchin’s fable of goblins, elves, and the cultural brouhahas that put their respective nations on a war footing is accessible, darkly comic, and rewarding.” —Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked


	Feed	Elf Dog and Owl Head	Landscape with Invisible Hand	The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge

Customer Reviews	2,487	52	233	159
Read more from the award-winning author M. T. Anderson!	A National Book Award finalist! Titus and his friends’ spring break is cut short when a hacker messes with their feeds, sending them to a hospital. There, Titus meets Violet, a girl who’s decided to fight the feed that’s implanted their heads.	A Newbery Honor Book! After a global plague brings Clay’s summer to a halt, he’s only too happy to retreat to the woods. There, he finds mysterious dog Elphinore among the trees and they go on an adventure that will change their lives forever.	A major motion picture! After aliens called the vuvv take over Earth, Adam’s parents lose their jobs. Now that they have no money for food, clean water, or the vuvv’s miraculous medicine, Adam has to get creative to survive. How far will he go?	A National Book Award finalist! Uptight elfin historian Brangwain Spurge is on a mission to spy on the goblin kingdom, but a series of extraordinary misunderstandings throws him and his host Werfel into the middle of an international crisis!

Editorial Reviews

Review

The book, which is on this year’s National Book Award long list, is at times both moving and hilarious. Spurge is not just an unlikely hero — it’s hard to know if he’s a hero at all. But that only makes the finale of this political satire all the more surprising.
—The New York Times Book Review

Anderson’s latest foray into middle-grade fantasy is executed with the all smarts and finesse his fans have come to expect. Joining him on this storytelling adventure is Yelchin...Yelchin’s black pen-and-ink illustrations, in Medieval style, capture the humor and fantastical details of the text, as well as Brangwain’s changing view of goblins. Biting and hysterical, Brangwain and Werfel’s adventure is one for the history books.
—Booklist (starred review)

Together, Anderson and Yelchin craft something that feels impossible, a successfully unorthodox epistolary, pictorial, and prose narrative that interrogates the cultural ramifications of unchallenged viewpoints and the government violence they abet even as it recounts the comedic blunderings of a spy mission gone wrong. Monty Python teams up with Maxwell Smart for a wrestling match with Tolkien—splendid.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

With the look and feel of medieval lithographs, they include touches of humor, whimsy, irony, and menace; as such, they are well suited to both the acerbic wit and the affecting tenderness of Anderson’s prose. The result is a fantasy that couldn’t feel more real, obliquely referencing a political climate marked by a lack of civility, underhanded diplomacy, fake news, widespread bigotry and prejudice, and the dehumanization of marginalized people.
—The Horn Book (starred review)

Told in narrative and illustrated pages—Werfel’s experiences and Spurge’s visual dispatches back home—the story by Anderson (Feed) and Yelchin (Arcady’s Goal) blends the absurd and the timely to explore commonality, long-standing conflict, and who gets to write a world’s history.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Sophisticated, witty and sharply political, the book tells of the elf Brangwain Spurge and the goblin Werfel, two scholars from feuding kingdoms who are swept into a maelstrom of espionage, deceit and prejudice.
—The Wall Street Journal

The satirical tone is reminiscent of Lemony Snicket’s “A Series of Unfortunate Events,” while the format is similar in concept to Brian Selznick’s work; Yelchin’s black-and-white ink drawings reveal the viewpoint of the visiting Elfin historian, contrasted with the text descriptions from Werfel’s viewpoint. A relevant...message on the importance of perspective and finding common ground. A good choice for most middle grade shelves.
—School Library Journal

This comic spy story addresses prejudice and cultural misunderstandings in a unique way, and could complement both historical and political discussions in the classroom.
—School Library Connection

A brilliant, satirical take on cultural chauvinism, objectivity and war and peace, The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge is witty, wise and wondrously unique.
—BookPage

[A] smart and smarting history with its consequential warning: Truthfully recall the past to change the future.
—San Francisco Chronicle

This beautifully crafted, thrilling fantasy entertains even as it offers a powerful lesson about national narratives, the power of myth and the difficulty of acknowledging "the other." A perfect novel for our times.
—Buffalo News

All I can say is that it’s a book for our time. An unreliable visual narrator. A Cold War, Middle Earth, buddy comedy. Art that looks like the lovechild of Hieronymus Bosch and Terry Gilliam. You know. One of those.
—A Fuse #8 Production (blog)

For me, however, the cream of this middle school crop is The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge by M.T. Anderson, illustrated by Eugene Yelchin. This masterly political satire in the form of a fantasy novel feels more relevant to our current political strife, two years into the Trump administration, than any book published this year.
—School Library Journal (blog)

This hilarious political satire details a thousand years of animosity between the elves and the goblins.
—People Magazine

Hidden among Yelchin's ornate illustrations, Clivers' posturing, Spurge's sneaking and Werfel's confusion is a surprisingly humorous tale of misunderstanding, betrayal, miscalculation—and the power of preconceived notions. As both nations hurtle toward a new chapter in diplomacy, Yelchin and Anderson offer a sly commentary on who really gets the last word in history.
—Virginian-Pilot

If Hieronymus Bosch and Terry Gilliam had a love child, it couldn't be more twisted and brilliant than the silent visual sequences you'll find on these pages.
—NPR Books

Snarky, clever, and brilliantly executed, this is my number-one favorite book of the year.
—The Booklist Reader

“Anderson and Yelchin’s fable of goblins, elves, and the cultural brouhahas that put their respective nations on a war footing is accessible, darkly comic, and rewarding.”
—Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked

“What a fun wild crazy smart gorgeous book! And oh! that art — insanely beautiful.”
—Jon Scieszka, first U.S. National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature

About the Author

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Candlewick; Reprint edition (April 14, 2020)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 544 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1536213098
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1536213096
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 10 - 14 years
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 760L
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 5 - 9
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.78 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.06 x 1.31 x 8.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #167,636 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #173 in Teen & Young Adult Fiction on Prejudice & Racism
- #255 in Teen & Young Adult Humorous Fiction
- #1,909 in Fiction Satire

Customer Reviews:
4.6 159 ratings

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Eugene Yelchin

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Eugene Yelchin is a Russian-American artist best known as an illustrator and writer of books for children and young adults. Yelchin is a National Book Award finalist for The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge co-authored with M. T. Anderson and the recipient of Newbery Honor for Breaking Stalin’s Nose. He received Golden Kite Award for The Haunting of Falcon House, Crystal Kite Award for illustrating Won Ton, National Jewish Book Award for illustrating The Rooster Prince of Breslov, and SCBWI Tomie DePaola Award. Visit him at eugeneyelchinbooks.com

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5

159 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Customers say

Customers find the illustrations really cool. They also describe the storyline as unique, enjoyable, wise, funny, and uplifting. Readers describe the content as extraordinary and wonderful, delivered subtly with good humor and drama.

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Illustrations Storyline Content

9 customers mention "Illustrations"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the illustrations in the book cool, subtle, and sophisticated. They also say the story is boring.

"...It's the way it's told, through illustrations that beguile, narrative that at times seems at odds with the illustrations, and the epistolary format..." Read more

"...The composite illustrations are fabulous, and the story should appeal to adults and older kids, great for discussion about what propaganda,..." Read more

"...We all enjoyed it. The illustrations are cool too." Read more

"1. Fun Easy Read2. Some chapters written, others told via beautiful, highly detailed drawings.3. Elves and Goblins4...." Read more

8 customers mention "Storyline"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the storyline enjoyable, remarkable, and rip-roaring fun for kids and adults. They also say the book is delivered subtly with good humor and drama.

"...in ways that might go over some kids' heads, but is still worth the experience. It's not simply the plot that makes this book great...." Read more

"...The composite illustrations are fabulous, and the story should appeal to adults and older kids, great for discussion about what propaganda,..." Read more

"This is an enjoyable, quick read (I just did the last 250 pages in one sitting) with deep significance and a lot to discuss...." Read more

"This book is a great ride. Fun to read and filled with sarcasm & spirit. Our 6th grader read it twice - the second time out loud to me...." Read more

6 customers mention "Content"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the content extraordinary, clever, thought-provoking, and wonderful. They also say the book is great for discussions about propaganda, perception, and friendship.

"...What a great, fun adventure! It's clever in ways that might go over some kids' heads, but is still worth the experience...." Read more

"...the story should appeal to adults and older kids, great for discussion about what propaganda, perception and friendship mean...." Read more

"This is a funny and intriguing book with a very cool & different perspective while telling its story - which is the point! Loved the illustrations." Read more

"This is one unique and enjoyable fantastical story that every reader should indulge in reading. I loved it as did my 13 year old son." Read more

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Top reviews from the United States

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Debnev

Extraordinary!

Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2019

Verified Purchase

I bought this for my 11-year-old grandson, who loved it. I then read it myself so we could discuss it, and had a blast! What a great, fun adventure! It's clever in ways that might go over some kids' heads, but is still worth the experience. It's not simply the plot that makes this book great. It's the way it's told, through illustrations that beguile, narrative that at times seems at odds with the illustrations, and the epistolary format of (unintentionally hilarious) letters to the Elf King from one of his henchmen. All of these elements advance the plot, but they are full of their own charms and mysteries. In all, the story is about fear of "the other," how easy it is to misinterpret other cultures, the search for truth in conflicting histories, and the absurdities of war, all infused with some astute observations about the wealth and power. But it's also about the power of friendship and love, of course. Sophisticated, wise, funny, and ultimately uplifting. And the drawings are absolutely mind-boggling.

7 people found this helpful

Helpful

Kyra Molitor

Remarkable book

Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2020

Verified Purchase

This is very funny, thought-provoking, subtle and terrific. The composite illustrations are fabulous, and the story should appeal to adults and older kids, great for discussion about what propaganda, perception and friendship mean. I loved this and am sending it to my son and his family to enjoy together.

Helpful

Molly Lazer

An enjoyable meditation on history--and who gets to write it.

Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2019

Verified Purchase

This is an enjoyable, quick read (I just did the last 250 pages in one sitting) with deep significance and a lot to discuss. This would be a good addition to a middle or upper elementary school classroom library, or it could be used in a social studies classroom as an entry point to discussing how history books are written--and who gets to write them. Anderson's worldbuilding is extremely impressive, and Yelchin's art equally so. I wish I had been able to see images of what the goblin society ACTUALLY looked like--but, of course, this is the point of the book.

4 people found this helpful

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Ruby

A Dark Comedy About Diplomacy

Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2019

Verified Purchase

Very much a book of our times, covering perceptions of cultural differences and how the shared histories of two nations can challenge the reality of the other. I loved it and all the kids I've recommended it to have also enjoyed it.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Amazon Customer

Rip roaring fun for kids and adults

Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2019

Verified Purchase

This book is a great ride. Fun to read and filled with sarcasm & spirit. Our 6th grader read it twice - the second time out loud to me. We all enjoyed it. The illustrations are cool too.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

JJ Langlois

Well Made Book - Clever Concept

Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2019

Verified Purchase

1. Fun Easy Read
2. Some chapters written, others told via beautiful, highly detailed drawings.
3. Elves and Goblins
4. Story of finding common ground/working together/how similar we all are.
5. Funny
6. Friendships building theme

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Mark

Love it

Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2021

Verified Purchase

Funky. Creative. Very different. The entire family (2 kids 2 adults) enjoyed this book thoroughly.
highly recommend ....

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Samantha

Next tattoo?

Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2019

Verified Purchase

This is a funny and intriguing book with a very cool & different perspective while telling its story - which is the point! Loved the illustrations.

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

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Amazon Customer

Fascinating fantasy

Reviewed in Canada on November 9, 2018

Verified Purchase

What an unusual, delightful book! The illustrations grabbed me immediately, then the written story drew me further in. It's fantasy and can be enjoyed simply as a story of two very different characters becoming friends, but there is so much more going on. I shall treasure this one and it will be re-read.

One person found this helpful

Gabriella V.

Bellissime illustrazioni e divertente

Reviewed in Italy on April 10, 2019

Verified Purchase

Per chi come me mastica poco inglese, trovo che il livello d'inglese sia più che accessibile, aiutato anche da disegni divertenti e belli da guardare. La copertina attrae i curiosi, perchè è assolutamente particolare.

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annabelle evans

Damaged

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 4, 2019

Verified Purchase

The book was damaged and dirty. The quality is not new as stated. This was a Christmas present for my nephew. Not impressed.