Product Description

Tiger, Tiger is a hugely powerful and epic novel set against the dazzling backdrop of ancient Rome. This compelling and uplifting story about friendship, brotherhood and battling against the odds will grip all who read it. Her heart was throbbing behind her ribs. A real, live tiger? But that was impossible! Of all the beasts brought from far-off countries the tiger was the most formidable. There could be no one bold enough to introduce one into Caesar's palace! Two tiger cubs are snatched from their native jungle and shipped to Rome. On arrival at this strange land crowded with noisy "two-legs" they are cruelly separated. One cub becomes the princess's pampered and adored house pet. The other, fiercer, cub is trained to become the star performer in Caesar's bloodthirsty circus. Princess Aurelia detests her father's brutal "sport", but must keep her feelings secret -- no one dares criticise the almighty Caesar! The only person she can confide in is the slave Julius, her tiger's keeper. But such a friendship is equally forbidden: should the Emperor find out, his anger would be terrible and the punishment severe. But friendship and love cannot be dictated, and neither tiger nor man is destined for a life in chains. In a world dominated by Caesar's will, all must fight for freedom!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #172505 in Books
• Published on: 2005-11-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Review
"Tiger, Tiger burns brightly to the very last page, and long afterwards, too." Michael Morpurgo, Children's Laureate "A gripping, heartfelt tale of twin tigers set in Ancient Rome." Amanda Craig, The Times "Tiger, Tiger is a riveting read. In the style of a true Roman epic it combines bloodthirsty violence with unrequited love, and the themes of loyalty and freedom are carefully explored!" Books for Keeps

About the Author
'The Indian in the Cupboard' has sold nearly six million copies worldwide. She was born in London in 1929 and worked as an actress, writer and TV news reporter. Lynne has written thirty books: her first, 'The L-Shaped Room', was published in 1960. She now lives in Dorset, where she continues to write. Lynne says that writing for children comes much more easily than writing for adults.

Customer Reviews

Wow!
Ancient Rome
This book was absoulutely amazing. I just couldn't put it down and I was almost crying at the end. After I'd read it once I read it about 16 times again. Some things I found shocking like the arena in Ancient Rome and how everyone seems to like innocent people being killed. The only thing that I didn't really like about this amazing children's novel is the end which is a bit vague. Apart from that everything was brilliant and I highly recommend this book.

Tiger, Tiger - an amazing book about Ancient Rome
This book was absoulutely amazing. I just couldn't put it down and I was almost crying at the end. After I'd read it once I read it about 16 times again. Some things I found shocking like the arena in Ancient Rome and how everyone seems to like innocent people being killed. The only thing that I didn't really like about this amazing children's novel is the end which is a bit vague. Apart from that everything was brilliant and I highly recommend this book.

Contrasting lives for Tigers in Ancient Rome
Two tiger cubs brought to Rome - one is destined for the arena; the other is defanged, booted and becomes a much loved pet for the Emperor's daughter Aurelia who is twelve. She begins to fall for the tiger's handler Julius, to her cousin Marcus' dismay. When a prank played on Julius goes wrong, the consequences are severe as they both learn to their cost.

This novel will delight and dismay in equal quantities. Delight at the antics of Aurelia and her pampered pet, and dismay at the bloodthirst in the arena. The author doesn't shy from showing the reader the gruesomely gory nature of the Roman games which utterly revolt the Emperor's daughter who has to grow up fast.

We also learn a lot about cats - sections of the book are written from the tigers' points of view. They're not so unlike our felines, just bigger scale and harder to domesticate! Luckily for younger readers, the tigers are reunited in the end. I preferred this to the 'Roman Mysteries', and would thoroughly recommend for 6-9yr olds.