Jimmy the Hand
📘 About This Book
Jimmy the Hand, boy thief of Krondor, was a pickpocket with potential-- until the day he met Prince Arutha, and ran afoul of Black Guy's secret police. His youthful bravado and courage will plunge him deep into the maw of chaos and perhaps even death.
📖 Summary
Raymond E. Feist's 2003 fantasy novel Jimmy the Hand invites readers back into the rich, expansive world of Midkemia, centering its narrative on one of the most beloved rogues in the Riftwar universe. Clocking in at 368 pages, the story transports us to the bustling and often dangerous streets of Krondor, where the titular character is introduced not as a grand hero, but as a clever boy thief with ambitions that stretch far beyond simple street-level pickpocketing. Jimmy possesses a natural talent for larceny, quick wits, and an undeniable bravado that helps him navigate the perilous underworld of the city. However, raw potential alone is rarely enough to keep a young thief alive in a world governed by power struggles, secret societies, and political intrigue. The turning point in Jimmy's formative years arrives on the day his path crosses with Prince Arutha. This fateful meeting changes the trajectory of his life forever, pulling him out of the shadows of petty crime and thrusting him into a much larger, more dangerous game. Beyond the royal court, Jimmy also finds himself running afoul of Black Guy's secret police, adding a relentless layer of tension and peril to his daily existence. What begins as a game of survival and thievery quickly escalates into a high-stakes adventure. Jimmy's youthful courage and audacity are put to the ultimate test as he is plunged deep into the maw of chaos. As the narrative unfolds across the 368 pages, Feist crafts a coming-of-age tale that balances the gritty realism of street life with the grand scale of epic fantasy. Jimmy must rely on more than just nimble fingers and a quick tongue if he wants to outsmart the forces working against him. The threat of death looms large, forcing the young thief to make critical choices that will define the man he becomes. Through swift pacing, engaging character development, and a vivid depiction of Krondor's underbelly, the novel explores themes of ambition, loyalty, and the price of survival in a world of shifting political alliances. Fans of the broader Riftwar cycle will appreciate the depth added to Jimmy's backstory, while new readers will find an accessible and thrilling entry point into Feist's imaginative universe. Ultimately, Jimmy the Hand is a captivating journey of transformation, capturing the exact moments that forged a legendary rogue out of an ordinary street urchin.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Engaging coming-of-age story centered on a charismatic rogue.
Vividly depicts the bustling and dangerous streets of Krondor.
Fast-paced narrative filled with tension and high-stakes peril.
Expands nicely on the lore of Raymond-E Feist's fantasy universe.
⚠️ Cons
The 368-page length may feel brief for readers craving an even more expansive epic.
Some secondary plot elements involving secret police can occasionally feel rushed.
✍️ About the Author
❓ FAQ
Who is the author of Jimmy the Hand? +
The book was written by Raymond-E Feist.
When was the book published? +
It was published in the year 2003.
How many pages long is the book? +
The novel spans 368 pages.
Who is the main protagonist of the story? +
The main protagonist is Jimmy the Hand, a boy thief from Krondor.
What major conflict does Jimmy face in the plot? +
Jimmy meets Prince Arutha and runs afoul of Black Guy's secret police, plunging him into chaos and danger.
