Toby Lolness is just one and a half millimetres tall, and he’s the most wanted person in his world, the Great Oak Tree. When Toby’s father makes a ground-breaking discovery, tapping into the very heart of the Tree’s energy, he also realizes that exploiting it could permanently damage their world. Refusing to reveal the secret of his invention to an enraged community, the family is exiled. But one man is determined to get hold of the forbidden knowledge ... and his plan is to destroy the Tree. Now Toby's parents have been imprisoned and sentenced to death. Only Toby has managed to escape, but for how long?
Toby Alone
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Product Description
Book Description
An awards-laden adventure of heroism, friendship and survival – with a powerful ecological message – set in a captivating miniature world.
About the Author
Timothée de Fombelle is a much-admired French playwright. Initially working as a teacher/lecturer, he soon turned to writing and in 2006 produced his first novel, Toby Alone, known in his native France as Tobie Lolness. Highly acclaimed, it has been translated into 22 different languages and has won numerous prizes. Toby’s extraordinary story continues in Toby and the Secrets of the Tree, to be published in 2009.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By kehs
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
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This is a fantastic journey into a world in miniature. Fombelle has created an amazing world peopled with adorable characters. The main character, Toby, goes on incredible journeys that are breathtaking and action packed. The story has everything; love, betrayal, adventure, goodies, baddies, courage and heartbreak. It does go back and forth in time, but is written in a manner that is clear and concise with no confusion. Not an easy feat to carry off, so full marks to Fombelle for that. Although it carries a strong ecological message, the book never comes across as `preachy' at all, and reminded me in some ways of Fern Gully by Diana Young, with a mixing of The Borrowers thrown in too. However, that's not to say this book isn't unique in its own right and I feel that it will be a great read for old and young alike. I can't wait for the sequel!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The brilliant first half of a saga, with a refreshingly innovative setting and a great green message.
7 April 2008
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
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I thoroughly enjoyed this inventive rollocking read. This is a great story of a young lad and his adventures and trials through a minature world of green bark hills, watery caves, moss forests and mazes of mistletoe. Toby, a mere pin-head of a boy, lives on an old Oak Tree which is, as far as his society is aware and concerned, the entire world. His father suspects different but because of his scientific knowledge and discovery of the tree's energy source he is persecuted and captured leaving Toby, alone, on the run. The story pulls you in from the very beginning and you travel with Toby through his twists and turns.
Interspersed with flashback sections, this is a linear saga of friendships and family, betrayal and bravery in a climate of fear, and with strong ecological underpinnings, the story could be seen to reflect many of the green issues that concern the earth today - the life force of the tree itself and the damage inflicted by the destruction of this natural resource despite it being integral to the continuation of society.
The different sections of the tree are each host to different ways of life, again reflecting cultures we are familiar with. From his early life in the high society of the Treetops to his family's exile pioneer existence in the harsh low branches, ending up in The Grasslnds and the nomadic hunter-gather life of the legendary Grass People.
Menacing Joe Mitch, the developer, a Chairman Mao character who sets himself up as the all-powerful Friendly Neighbour, who increasingly controls the tree with a network of nasty bullies, industrial digger weevils and soldiers ants. In his fast-paced adventure, Toby avoids and eludes Mitch, solving the riddle of his father's apparent betrayal, and there are many nuggets of good wisdom along the way. If I didn't know this was a translation I would never have guessed -it's been beautifully done with rich and flowing language, colloquial English idioms and great descriptions such as "Nightfall was smudging out the shadows."
I'd recommend this widely, my only caveat being that this is so blatantly the first half of a pair, the end is unsatisfying. It is frustrating to reach the end of the volume when Toby has not yet achieved what he set out to - there's an unresolved love interest and he still needs to find and resuce his parents. I look forward to the next half and just hope it isn't too long coming. In future I think the publisher should look to publish as a boxed set or an 800pp volume rather than in two books.
Interspersed with flashback sections, this is a linear saga of friendships and family, betrayal and bravery in a climate of fear, and with strong ecological underpinnings, the story could be seen to reflect many of the green issues that concern the earth today - the life force of the tree itself and the damage inflicted by the destruction of this natural resource despite it being integral to the continuation of society.
The different sections of the tree are each host to different ways of life, again reflecting cultures we are familiar with. From his early life in the high society of the Treetops to his family's exile pioneer existence in the harsh low branches, ending up in The Grasslnds and the nomadic hunter-gather life of the legendary Grass People.
Menacing Joe Mitch, the developer, a Chairman Mao character who sets himself up as the all-powerful Friendly Neighbour, who increasingly controls the tree with a network of nasty bullies, industrial digger weevils and soldiers ants. In his fast-paced adventure, Toby avoids and eludes Mitch, solving the riddle of his father's apparent betrayal, and there are many nuggets of good wisdom along the way. If I didn't know this was a translation I would never have guessed -it's been beautifully done with rich and flowing language, colloquial English idioms and great descriptions such as "Nightfall was smudging out the shadows."
I'd recommend this widely, my only caveat being that this is so blatantly the first half of a pair, the end is unsatisfying. It is frustrating to reach the end of the volume when Toby has not yet achieved what he set out to - there's an unresolved love interest and he still needs to find and resuce his parents. I look forward to the next half and just hope it isn't too long coming. In future I think the publisher should look to publish as a boxed set or an 800pp volume rather than in two books.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By SJSmith
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
A highly enjoyable Sunday morning spent reading this book. Although aimed at young adults this is a book that should appeal to an audience of any age. At times it is so easy to forget that Toby is actually teeny tiny and lives in a tree! I so wish I could read French as I would love to read it in it's native language, however the translation was excellent and I don't really feel I'm actually missing anything.
Every now and again there are some wonderful translations by Francois Place and they add so much to the story, especially (I imagine) for children. I felt how I feel when ever I pick up a Roald Dahl book - you have a fabulous story but then Quentin Blake's illustrations just add something else to it.
The story is a reflection on society although many other aspects could be taken away from the book. What you get from it will depend firstly on your age I believe. Secondly it depends on your interest or on what level you are reading it. On its own, it's a tremendous story, after that you can see aspects of environmental issues and a society who want to prosper but at the detriment of future generations. It is a novel about love and fighting for what you believe in. It is truly magical!
It's not quite a five for me, although I have a feeling that the second part will achieve the five. The characters are convincing and I think the setting is truly imaginative. It does borrow on other children's stories but I feel they have been used as stimulus to get the story started and then it has taken off on its own. I seem to be talking myself into 5 stars here but I will stick with my original 4, well it could be 4.5 ;-).
Happy reading.
Every now and again there are some wonderful translations by Francois Place and they add so much to the story, especially (I imagine) for children. I felt how I feel when ever I pick up a Roald Dahl book - you have a fabulous story but then Quentin Blake's illustrations just add something else to it.
The story is a reflection on society although many other aspects could be taken away from the book. What you get from it will depend firstly on your age I believe. Secondly it depends on your interest or on what level you are reading it. On its own, it's a tremendous story, after that you can see aspects of environmental issues and a society who want to prosper but at the detriment of future generations. It is a novel about love and fighting for what you believe in. It is truly magical!
It's not quite a five for me, although I have a feeling that the second part will achieve the five. The characters are convincing and I think the setting is truly imaginative. It does borrow on other children's stories but I feel they have been used as stimulus to get the story started and then it has taken off on its own. I seem to be talking myself into 5 stars here but I will stick with my original 4, well it could be 4.5 ;-).
Happy reading.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Family Favourite
I cannot recommend this book highly enough, it has all the elements for a great read. It is exciting, intelligent,touching, witty, philosphical and thought provoking so can be... Read more
Published 19 months ago by magsbaker
5.0 out of 5 stars
toby alone
item arrived quickly (despite a postal strike!)and in great condition. would definitely buy from this seller again
Published on 14 Oct 2009 by cale29
4.0 out of 5 stars
Well written and entertaining book
This is a lovely fantasy about Toby who is a minature character living in a tree. It is well written and in a style that will appeal to all ages. Read more
Published on 24 April 2009 by Robert Hardie
5.0 out of 5 stars
my 11 year old devoured it
The plot is well outlined in other reviews, so none of that here. We were given this book and it sat on the shelf for a few months despite me pointing it out to my son. Read more
Published on 11 Mar 2009 by Florabritannica
4.0 out of 5 stars
Tree-mendous tale
This book is about a 13 year old boy who is just over 1mm tall; he is living quite happily with his mum and dad in `the tree'. Until his father makes a BIG mistake! Read more
Published on 31 July 2008
3.0 out of 5 stars
Better for children than adults most likely. Vivid but simplistic
Although I found the story took a little time to fully get my attention, once I did get into the story, I found it while an entertaining read. Read more
Published on 29 July 2008 by David Burton
4.0 out of 5 stars
Tree-mendous tale
We read this with our 9-year old son; here is his review:
This book is about a 13 year old boy who is just over 1mm tall; he is living quite happily with his mum and dad... Read more
This book is about a 13 year old boy who is just over 1mm tall; he is living quite happily with his mum and dad... Read more
Published on 28 July 2008
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Tree-mendous Tale
We read this with our 9-year-old son and this is what he thought of it:
This book is about a 13 year old boy who is just over 1mm tall; he is living quite happily with... Read more
This book is about a 13 year old boy who is just over 1mm tall; he is living quite happily with... Read more
Published on 27 July 2008
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Tree-mendous Tale
We read this with our 9-year-old son and this is what he thought of it:
This book is about a 13 year old boy who is just over 1mm tall; he is living quite happily with... Read more
This book is about a 13 year old boy who is just over 1mm tall; he is living quite happily with... Read more
Published on 27 July 2008
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Tree-mendous Tale
We read this with our 9-year-old son and this is what he thought of it:
This book is about a 13 year old boy who is just over 1mm tall; he is living quite happily with... Read more
This book is about a 13 year old boy who is just over 1mm tall; he is living quite happily with... Read more
Published on 27 July 2008
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