The Death-Defying Pepper Roux by Geraldine McCaughrean

Title: The Death-Defying Pepper Roux

Author: Geraldine McCaughrean

Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 41126

Description: Having been raised believing he will die before he reaches the age of fourteen, Pepper Roux runs away on his fourteenth birthday in an attempt to elude his fate, assumes another identity, and continues to try to outrun death, no matter the consequences.

Rubric Rating: Level 2: Like it

Why I Read It: Looking for a book that would appeal to a boy who is a good reader.

Lori's Notes: Pepper Roux believes that he will die at the age of fourteen - a prophecy given him by his Aunt Mireille (his jealous spinster aunt who seems to have no redeeming qualities despite her strict adherence to religion).  His parents have raised him but have not become attached to him fearing his early death.  Pepper has not been given very much education but he is a well-mannered, clever young man. Seeking to outwit the angels he thinks are "out to get him," Pepper slips into various identities like trying on new clothes.  First he steals his father's orders - becoming Captain Roux on a ship bound for the depths.  It is here we meet Duchesse - an endearing and flamboyant character who truly is Pepper's guardian angel.  Pepper manages to outwit the angels again and again taking on more and more identities - a delicatessen clerk, a horse tamer, a journalist, a grocery boy, a returned husband, a member of the foreign legion.  These identities twine around one another until landing themselves at Pepper's feet.  This story was good, it was fairly fast paced and kept me intrigued but I was a little put off by the cover.   It looks like it's a story about a boy at sea or pirates, but it's really about a boy trying to outrun his fate.  He's Death defying (trying to keep away from death) as opposed to death-defying (very dangerous).  The overarching theme seems to be - do people really see what is in front of them, or do they see what they want to see.  We're all capable of seeing what we want to believe if it suits our fancy.  Pepper himself seems to fall into this category as well - not seeing his parents and particularly his aunt for who they are, not identifying the faults in any of the other unsavoury characters he finds company in like Claude Roche or Konstantine Kruppe, and believing that the angels are somehow following him wherever he goes to fulfill his aunt's prophecy.  Pepper seems to run through the novel with blinders on.  And while some of that can be chalked up to childhood innocence it carries on a little too long for my liking.

Recommended Readers: Grade 6 and up.

Themes: Fate, Destiny, Prophecies, Family, Friendship, Identity, Names, Disguises, Survival, Adventure, Crime and Punishment, Good and Bad

Cross-Genre Links: 
Movies: Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Movies: August Rush (2007)
Music: Que Sera Sera by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans sung by Doris Day
Music: Life's What you Make It by Talk Talk

Possible Discussion or Essay Topics: 

• How did Pepper get his name?
• Why do you think Aunt Mireille made the prediction about Pepper dying at 14?
• Which of Pepper's identities did you like the best?
• Geraldine McCaughrean focuses on the idea that people see only what they want to see - how do different characters in this novel show this? 
• Duchesse takes it upon himself to become Pepper's guardian.  Why do you think he does this? 
• If you could become anyone else who would you choose and why?