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The Death-Defying Pepper Roux Audiobook
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(3.05) - 354 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Pepper's fourteenth birthday is a momentous one. It's the day he's supposed to die. Everyone seems resigned to it—even Pepper, although he would much prefer to live. But can you sidestep Fate? Jump sideways into a different life? Naïve and trusting, Pepper sets a course through dangerous waters, inviting disaster and mayhem at every turn, one eye on the sky for fear of angels, one on the magnificent possibilities of being alive. New York Times bestselling and Printz Award-winning author Geraldine McCaughrean has created a gripping tale filled with dark humor and daring escapades, where the key to a boy's life lies in facing his own death. Join him on the run—if you can keep up.
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"The Death-Defying Pepper Roux, by Geraldine McCaughrean, tells the story of Paul "Pepper" Roux, a French boy whose Aunt, on the day he was born, made this prediction: Pepper would die on his fourteenth birthday. When that day came, a series of events led Pepper to steal his father's ship and his identity as Captain Roux. From there, he has a series of adventures and identities. In his quest to avoid dying, Pepper experiences more living in a few months than most do in a lifetime. Throughout the novel, Pepper is unwaveringly kind and considerate of others. While these characteristics rarely work in Pepper's favor immediately, they do endear him to a host of characters. The novel does not gloss over some of life's more difficult aspects, but Pepper's optimistic outlook affirms life to himself and to the reader as he strives to keep his. Fans of Roald Dahl will enjoy the story and its dark humor; fans of adventure stories will enjoy Pepper's many adventures at sea and on land. I LOVED this book!"
— Keir (5 out of 5 stars)
Awards
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A 2010 Publishers Weekly Best Book: Children's Fiction
The Death-Defying Pepper Roux Listener Reviews
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" Quirky, brilliant, excellent. Geraldine McCaughrean has joined my list of favorite authors. "
— Ginger, 2/18/2014 -
" I tried to read this since it had been shortlisted for the Carnegie Prize in 2011 but couldn't get past the third chapter or so. It was competing with Patrick Ness's Monsters of Men and I am not surprised that this book was unsuccssful. Its a strange quirky story which didn't seem to have much to say and wasn't particularly enthralling as an adventure story. Perhaps I didn't give it a fair chance. "
— Estelle, 2/11/2014 -
" Pepper Roux has been told he's going to die at 14, but on the day of his 14th birthday, Pepper commandeers his father's ship and sets sail to avoid death. Pepper's adventures lead him to many cities and jobs, each one leading him closer and closer to his destiny. Pepper meets some increasingly interesting people, especially the costume loving Achilles Duchesse, who is always trying to help Pepper. By the time I got to the end of The Death-Defying Pepper Roux, I really enjoyed it. I thought Geraldine McCaughrean did a really good job of keeping Pepper's predicament just serious enough that you felt concern for him, but light enough for readers to laugh with him during some crazy times. However, the book seemed to take forever for me to get into, and it wasn't until near the end that I found myself paying close attention to Pepper. Recommended for ages 12-14. "
— Erin, 1/22/2014 -
" Charming, if melancholy. A children's adventure story with repercussions and emotions. I loved Pepper. "
— Leonie, 12/23/2013 -
" The story is somewhat far-fetched but a good adventure yarn. Pepper is a likeable character and this book should appeal to the 8 - 12 bracket, especially boys. "
— Gail, 11/30/2013 -
" I was surprised by how much I liked this book. It started out a bit oddly - his parents are awaiting their son's death, predicted at his birth. From there it gets better and better. I especially like how all the loose ends are pulled together at the end. "
— Wendy, 4/17/2013 -
" Marvelously unique characters. "
— Debrarian, 1/28/2013 -
" Complex adventure story for fans of Lion Boy, True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle "
— L, 7/12/2012 -
" Never say die! Ha ha! Loved every minute of Pepper Roux and Anton Lesser. "
— Anna, 11/20/2011 -
" My godson and I listened to this as an audio book on a 10 hour drive and it made the time go by nicely. A great adventure for a 14 year old complete with saints, angels, murder and identity theft! "
— Jana, 11/11/2011 -
" At times confusing, good idea, very good fun. "
— Nina, 10/12/2011 -
" Kind of a strange story. I almost abandoned it but carried on until the end. Kind of monotonous for me. "
— Stephaney, 6/28/2011 -
" Brilliant, weird, wise and wonderful. "
— Mordena, 6/15/2011 -
" The cover didn't really attract me to this book, but it was really interesting once I got started. I like how all the loose strings tie up in the end, and some of it was humourous. "
— Esmeralda, 5/10/2011 -
" At times confusing, good idea, very good fun. "
— Nina, 4/3/2011 -
" For a childrens book, I can see how good it would be <br/>For me - <br/>No. <br/> <br/>It was boring, <br/>Repetitive <br/>And irritating <br/>(Although it had some good bits). <br/> <br/>Thinking about reading it and over the age of ten <br/>No, just no. "
— Charlotte, 4/1/2011 -
" Charming! Highly recommended on audio where you can hear the accents. "
— Jenna, 3/14/2011 -
" I wanted to like this book, but I couldn't get past the fact that it is simply hard to believe. A 14 year old boy sneaks on board a ship and takes over his father's position as captain, and NOBODY notices? Really?? "
— Nicole, 3/11/2011 -
" Never say die! Ha ha! Loved every minute of Pepper Roux and Anton Lesser. "
— Anna, 2/24/2011 -
" A little slow to get into at the beginning, but then it speeds up. The audio was fun. "
— Jayanne, 1/2/2011 -
" Winner of the worst cover art award, I almost abandoned it at the Library. Glad I trust Publisher Weekly's reviews impecably. Pepper is fun and keeps me guessing at every turn. "
— LaLa, 12/1/2010 -
" There was only one point in the middle my attention slipped. Overall I loved the story and I loved Pepper. "
— Beth/Sr., 10/22/2010 -
" this is the worst book ever!! "
— Greta, 9/28/2010
About Geraldine McCaughrean
Geraldine McCaughrean is the Printz Award–winning author of The White Darkness. She has been twice honored with the Carnegie Medal, and is the only three-time winner of the Whitbread Children’s Book Award. She also wrote Peter Pan in Scarlet, the first official sequel to the treasured masterpiece Peter Pan. Geraldine lives in Berkshire, England, with her husband and daughter.
About Anton Lesser
Anton Lesser has, as an associate artist with the Royal Shakespeare Company, played many of Shakespeare’s most demanding roles, including Troilus (Troilus and Cressida), Edgar (King Lear), Petruchio, Romeo, and Richard III. He is a frequent radio contributor and has recorded many audiobooks, including much of the work of Charles Dickens. Lesser’s narration has won him seven AudioFile Earphones Awards.