Buy on Amazon
Muunokhoi’s Awakening by Gilbert Arthur
Muunokhoi’s eyes open just a crack; he stretches his limbs as he awakens from his slumber. The tarbagan marmot peers around the hibernaculum and sees his family sleeping peacefully, but something doesn’t feel quite right. He is surprisingly very alert and does not feel as drowsy as he usually does after waking up from hibernation in the spring. He inspects the family more closely and notices none of them have lost any appreciable weight and neither has he. This can only mean one thing. Winter is far from over, but he is most definitely . . . awake! He tries unsuccessfully to induce hibernation.
Muunokhoi emerges from his burrow into a hostile winter environment, to explore the availability of food. He first encounters an eagle owl, who advises him that with no food available in the winter months, his only option for survival is to embark on a quest to lower elevations where he can find food to sustain him until the spring.
The journey will be fraught with danger from predators that stalk the mountainous Mongolian terrain, but the marmot will surely starve to death if he stays put. Summoning all his courage, Muunokhoi sets out on an adventure that could ultimately save his life . . . or end it.
A wonderous tale, Muunokhoi’s Awakening by Gilbert Arthur is a fascinatingly well-written and narrated story that embraces and captivates readers from the very humble start to the glorious, magnificent conclusion. It is an original spellbindingly described animal fanatsy, and clever allegory, and the most meaningful and delightfully told anthropomorphic story that readers of all ages will ever read and will absolutely love!
Muunokhoi’s Awakening tells the story of a marmot who awakens during hibernation only to realize he’s got 5-6 months left of winter and no way to feed himself unless he travels to a lower region for food. When he meets a kind owl, Bolor, who offers tips for how to survive in the winter, Muunokhoi realizes just how difficult, demanding and hard this journey will be. Faced with an existential dilemma—does he stay nearby while his family sleeps, and face an almost certain death himself, or is he brave enough to journey into an unknown world? What follows is a beautifully vivid anthropomorphic tale that’s both literal and metaphorical about how essential community is. Muunokhoi’s story is a powerful depiction of one’s own quest for identity and purpose.
Readers will fall in love with Muunokhoi and his plight throughout the entirety of this wonderfully wholesome story. Author Gilbert Arthur artfully weaves in so many facts about marmots and their group-based mentality, that when Muunokhoi must travel alone, the reader (if you’re like me that is!) will do just about anything to accompany him. He is such a sweet, thoughtful, yet naïve character. Readers can’t help but notice that Gilbert Arthur’s writing stands out and shines as he develops this story with seemingly such ease; he developed Muunokhoi’s voice effortlessly through nearly all internal dialogue. There are some flashback chapters that really set the scene well without interrupting the flow or the storyline as well. Throughout the story, Gilbert Arthur certainly reveals that he excels as a writer. He has a powerful sense of when to provide plot and when to give more backstory so that the next plot point has the most impact. I fell in love with his characters and all the unique aspects of each of their personalities which he provides. Gilbert Arthur is an exceptional writer with an innate gift for what is portraying what is essential in life and for what his readers need.
Filled with just as much heart, and even more adventure, Muunokhoi’s Awakening by Gilbert Arthur is a beautiful story. I found parts of myself in this book and my heart has never felt so full! Readers who enjoy fantasy, animal fiction or allegorical tales will love this book.
Muunokhoi’s Awakening by Gilbert Arthur will inspire, entertain and be perfect for many reading occasions, such as school classrooms, family reading and for all ages to enjoy reading on your own. Declared a classic – Muunokhoi’s Awakening by Gilbert Arthur comes recommended by Artisan Book Reviews. Book read and reviewed by Mary Rosenthal for Artisan Book Reviews & Marketing.
Buy Muunokhoi’s Awakening
by Gilbert Arthur today!
Muunokhoi’s Awakening by Gilbert Arthur
Artisan Book Reviews Book Award for
Animal Allegory & Anthropomorphic Tale
Reading recommendations, book suggestions,
If you are an author and would like your book reviewed and/or promoted, please feel free to fill out Artisan Book Reviews book submission form for approval and to receive more information. Read Artisan Book Reviews author testimonials and success stories here.
