It is a sad and tragic story mixed with hatred and betrayal. I bought this one for my niece, but I found out that it isn't for little children to read. Yes, it is a children's book, but the utter despair, in which a little mouse was driven, was somewhat too harsh and cruel. The hopeless and powerless little girl with near deafness was treated unfairly, always beaten and ignored by the adults. For me the book is a kind of mirror that reflects the reality of our world. Children are neglected and brutally abused, and even expolited and enslaved in this cold blood world. Maybe that's theme that the author would like to tell us. 

Talking of the audio book, I am disappointed a lot. That's because the actor's female voice performance is no more than a squeak. I just hate listening the adult male's any of female voice acting. How come they allow an adult male to perform female voice acting? His voice just doesn't fit well. His squeaking voice makes me really crazy. I shouldn't have bought it at all. Anyhow, it is not for me, it's the present for my niece. I hope and wish she would like it  though I hate it.