This second adventure of Hermux Tantamoq, a
watchmaker mouse, is even better than the first, Time Stops for
No Mouse. It is set in a world
rather like ours, but populated by mice, chipmunks and other small
animals. They have technology such as
printing presses and airplanes, and they have cultural events such as museum
exhibitions. What’s more, they have
advertising, cosmetics, and controversies about art exhibitions. Hoeye paints a picture of a complex society
with a strong class system and a great deal of snobbery among those who
consider themselves at the top. The
story has a feel of a 1940s Hollywood film, with comedy, escapades, archeology,
and some wry social commentary.

The central theme in The Sands of Time is the
quest to discover the ancient past and to see whether the whispered rumors
about a world run by a race of cats are really true, or whether cats are merely
mythical creatures. The story starts
out with a controversial exhibition of paintings of cats by formerly blind
artist Mirrin Stentrill, and follows many twists and turns until it reaches its
culmination in the lost kingdom of cats, where amazing surprises await Hermux
and his friends. Characters familiar
from the first book, such as arrogant millionaire Tucka Mertslin and Hermux’s
unavailable love Linka Perflinger, again play major roles.

This book is of course
aimed at children, but adults should enjoy it a great deal. Hoeye’s world of small animals is extremely
engaging, full of wonderful and funny details, and should entertain all
readers. The unabridged
audiobook is read very well by Campbell Scott. Highly recommended.

Links:

·         
Publisher’s
webpage for audiobook

·         
Author website.

© 2002 Christian Perring. First Serial Rights.

Christian Perring, Ph.D., is
Chair of the Philosophy Department at Dowling College, Long Island. He is
editor of Metapsychology Online Review. His main research is on
philosophical issues in psychiatry. He is especially interested in exploring
how philosophers can play a greater role in public life, and he is keen to help
foster communication between philosophers, mental health professionals, and the
general public.

Categories: Children