Nostradormouse
Behind the Chapters
Nostradormouse is the first in a series of books about The Great Woods and its inhabitants. The idea that there was once only one super-continent is not my own. Scientists call it Pangaea, and it existed about 250 million years ago.
Inspirations
The idea for Nostradormouse came from a Yuletide conversation about a book I had been given as a present. The book was about Nostradamus, a french Prophet and Healer who lived in the sixteenth century. I had drunk a measure of punch at the time, so my tongue was a little more relaxed than usual, and instead of saying Nostradamus, I said Nostradormouse. After that, it was inevitable that a book would follow!
When writing Nostradormouse, I tried to evoke an atmosphere similar to that of Wind in the Willows, especially Chapter Seven: The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, where Ratty and Mole meet the god, Pan. The idea that a god from greek mythology could play a part in a children's story about animals, inspired me to carry the idea a step further. Why not combine my story with some ancient myths? Enter the Salmon of Wisdom and Yggdrasil, the World Tree.
Extra Features
If you click on the image to your left, it will launch a new window that will enable you to view Nostradormouse online.
There are a list of links at the top right of this page which will enable you to buy the book (available now!), read the Prologue, view full size versions of the book's illustrations, (plus a bonus illustration that is not in the book), listen to the theme tune, download the free podcast version of the book, find out about the man behind the mouse, and read the original versions of the Salmon of Wisdom and Yggdrasil myths.
Chris Tinniswood