The Bellmaker - Tumblr Posts
Pardon me but this is fantastic??? Silvamord is really deserves more, I think. Correct me if I'm wrong but the vermin husbands are always to mean... I suppose they really are vermin, huh. Anyway, I love the way you incorporate these characters, drawing scenes from the book and using the real world for inspiration! Their headresses really are a wonderful result of your creativity!
The way that I pictured Nagru's wolf-skull crown is more like as a pelt, with the lower jaw missing, and the top of the head connected to the wolf-skin. I think it's easier without the lower jaw, but now that I think about it, discribing it as a skull and not simply a head does lend to your interpretation... I don't know! But, of course, I've seen many interpretations and we can draw it however we want. Props to you for trying to work with the bottom jaw!
P.S. The Bellmaker is one of my favorite books :))
Started listening to The Bellmaker audiobook last night, since it’s been awhile since I finished the one for Salamandastron and I needed/wanted something different to listen to. In the process I realized that I’ve only drawn Urgan Nagru and Silvamord once, some years back, so I wanted to try my hand at them again.
1) “Silvamord tottered upright at water’s edge, her footpaws seeking purchase in the wet grass. The Foxwolf could not resist giving her a hefty slap on the back. ‘You stay here and dry off, vixen!’ She overbalanced and toppled back, screeching, into the moat.” -Ch 3 (These two honestly treat each other so horribly!! This moment is kinda funny, in a schadenfreude kinda way.)
2) After doing the first drawing, I realized I had little to no idea what a wolf skull really looked like, so off to google I went! I’m still not entirely sure how exactly Nagru’s getup works.
3) I’ve always thought of “The Land of Ice and Snow” as a country akin to, like, Russia or something. A lot of Russian/similar Slavic cultures are well known for elaborate headdresses/flower crowns for special occasions, like a wedding, so I decided to apply it to Nagru and Silvamord. It’s less of a headcanon and more of a “I just really like this idea” sort of thing, and then I just kinda ran with it? I imagine that the fabric headpiece over the forehead is often a family heirloom, while the actual “crown” part is handmade for the occasion using ribbons and whatever flowers and plant life are available in the area that season. Most creatures in these sorts of cultures grow their headfur long, especially when they reach marriageable age, because parts of the wedding crown are weaved/braided in to help it stay put. Furthermore, the more powerful/richer you are, the grander your wedding crown is. Lastly, instead of rings, most creatures wear pendants to indicate engagement/marriage.
I never realized this- from all my love for The Bellmaker and the fact that I work better with audiobooks than physical ones, I haven't listened to The Bellmaker. I agree, though, I really love that moment- even without hearing it.
Ok, I mentioned I was listening to The Bellmaker audiobook, right? Maybe it’s been pointed out before, but there’s a moment where Brian Jacques, who’s narrating as usual, accidentally speaks too early while another cast member is reading his lines–they’re all very professional about it; a little pause, a slight laugh and “Sorry!” from Jacques, and then continuing on as if nothing happened (though I think you can hear a smile in his voice for a second). It just caught me off guard because this is an official recording and all–did they record these in one take, or at least do chunks at a time?? And were they not able to re-record things if there were mistakes and just had to be that practiced? I’m not terribly familiar with the process of making audiobooks.
Anyway, I’m super biased because he’s one of my favorite authors and all, but I kinda loved hearing it, and it didn’t take me out of the story too much. And honestly, it made me a little bit emotional, probably because the 11th anniversary of his death was yesterday. And it made you remember that a person did this! You always knew it was a person, of course, but this was a reminder of how real they were. Does that make sense?
I can’t think of any other audiobooks where the narrator has flubbed like that.
Wait, I lied! I just remembered that in one of the Harry Potter audiobooks, Jim Dale says “Snipe” instead of “Snape”, but I don’t remember which book that was. And that moment did take me out of the story whenever I heard it. Although, Jim Dale is a pretty fantastic narrator–his narration of the Harry Potter books was one of my first exposures to audiobooks, and I’ve kind of held it to that standard since.
I think the whole Benjy, Wincey, Figgs situation in the Bellmaker might actually be one of the most tragic things I’ve ever read. Also their father is a female so that’s exciting but no because they died and Benjy told the little ones that they were just asleep for two whole months and I can’t and one one of them is an otter and their father is a female hedgehog and nobody knows how to right found family like Brian Jacques
My favorite post
A Photo For Every Book I Read This Year:
The Bellmaker by Brian Jacques
Eeeek one of my favorite books!
We will begin reading The Bellmaker tomorrow! If you'd like to read (or reread) the story with some awesome people, we'd love to have you on my Discord!
You don't have to be reading along with us to join the Discord! You're welcome to come hang out and chat about Redwall in general. 🖤
The Bellmaker and The Warrior Mousemaid
Mariel is aroace. Dandin is aroace. They are queerplatonic partners. Next question.
ok so i decided to reread The Bellmaker since i was suuper into redwall a while ago and now idk what it is but i literally cannot stop thinking about how gay Durry and Rufe are
Joseph: Can I get you anything to drink? Finnbar: The tears of my enemies wrenched from their bodies as their bones are crushed! Joseph: We have jasmine tea. Finnbar: Oooh, jasmine! Yes, please!
First of all, LOVE Hon Rosie, I’m Hon Rosie’s #1 fan.
Second, nothing but love to the creator because the poll wasn’t a Redwall post and “named after flowers tournament” is such a cute idea- but I’ve NEVER seen her referred to as just “Rosemary” before lol. I was genuinely confused when I read her name. That’s The HONORABLE Rosemary to you, sah!
Anyway, all fun and games, shoutout to Hon Rosie
Botanic Tournament : Main Bracket !
Round 4 Poll TTT
(Juniper and rosemary)
Posts to illustrate my love of Hon Rosie:
Originally from @lostmousemaid
If Hon Rosie has a million fans, then I am one of them. If Hon Rosie has ten fans, then I am one of them. If Hon Rosie has only one fan then that is me. If Hon Rosie has no fans, then that means I am no longer on earth. If the world is against Hon Rosie, then I am against the world.
I was Hon Rose (basically) for Halloween once as a child. My dad even made me a longbow out of a big branch.
She's my favorite
Botanic Tournament : Main Bracket !
Round 4 Poll TTT
(Juniper and rosemary)
Joseph: I can't believe you assassinated him! Finnbar: Well, 'assassinated' implies it was politically motivated. I killed him because he was a dick, so technically I murdered him Joseph: That's not better!
Finnbar: I'd offer you moral support but... I have questionable morals
Nagru: Her sneer just brightens my day. Silvamord: And we're always finishing each other's insults.