Monday, August 23, 2004

 

MOJO conjure stories edited by Nalo Hopkinson

MOJO is a gathering of stories about the power and perils of the kind of earth and soul magic conjured with the word mojo. Power, control, taking back the things and respect that were yours (or that you think you deserve).

I've been a fan of Nalo Hopkinson since I first read Brown Girl in the Ring. A.M. Dellamonica, Tananarive Due, and Neil Gaiman are authors whom I recognize and who have stories included here. I was not familiar with all the other writers but NOW I am beckoned to read more of their work.


 

Diggers and Wings by Terry Pratchett

Diggers and Wings are the remaining parts of the Bromeliad Trilogy that I first started reviewing here. MAsklin and the Store gnomes have made their way to the safety of the Quarry. The Store gnomes are getting used to sky and growing their own food. Masklin is struggling to organize leadership for such a large group. Always in Masklin's mind is what the Thing has told him of where gnomes came from and the ship that is waiting for them. In Wings, a scouting party to the nearby airport provides opportunity to travel to the US where they search for a shuttle to their ship.

These are not just fluffy punny stories. The debate about The Founder is similar to others I've heard about theism and atheism.

 

I'm almost caught up!

This is harder than I thought it would be because I imagined myself blogging a short blurb in the minutes after I finished a book. Instead, I usually stumble off to bed or run out to the car to make a meeting on time. Once I've put it off for a few hoursm I put it off longer.

As the great Walt Kelly had Pogo sing "There's nothing so urgent today, today, that it won't be more urgent tomorrow."

Which ought I to blog first, the books I read on vacation or the one I finished this evening? I suppose I should do the vacation books first.

Sunday, August 22, 2004

 

Raphael and the Noble Task by Catherine Salton

I had to buy this children's book which opens with a quote from Julian of Norwich! Raphael and the Noble Task is set among the gargoyles, chimere's, effigies, and other inhabitants of a great cathedral. Raphael is a dragon chimere who finds himself searching for a noble task. Most chimeres are satisfied with their tasks of protection but Raphael yearns for more. He feels his motives are muddled but he seeks aid from his coworkers and those who are aware of history and the writings.

A series of events lead Raphael to decide that caring for an abandoned infant is his "Noble Deed". Accepting his calling, the other creatures work to help him feed, clean, and care for the baby. This is a calling, as most mothers will tell you, but a greater deed is asked of Raphael when he must fly from the castle to right a great wrong. As Raphael plummets towards the ground from the roof of the cathedral, he puts all his faith in "doing right".

The illustrations by David Weitzman incorporate glorious realistic details and fanciful imaginings. They double the pleasure of this book.

I've recommended this book to a wide swathe of people I know from child to adult from student to seminary student but I'm keeping this copy for myself.

 

The Game of Sunken Places by M.T. Anderson

The Game of Sunken Places is a scary book. Opposite but complementary friends, Gregory and Brian, are invited to Strange Uncle Max's creepy mansion for a two week vacation. Though the audience yells at them not to go, they go. Though the villagers warn them away, they step into the quickly locked carriage. Though they are asked to change into clothing better suited for an earlier century and their own clothing is incinerated, they do no more than ask a cursory question.

Things get stranger. The boys are drawn into an unexplained game where they must choose and complete different tasks while competing against a creepy stranger who plays with knives. Sweet Cousin Prudence seems to something of what is happening but is unable to aide them. The game is a mix of fairy and techno with a little horror thrown in; there are trolls, world gates, different alien species battling, and time travel. Will they survive the game? Can they rescue Prudence from the drudgery of Uncle Max' house?

I would recommend this to middle school readers who like solving puzzles and don't mind the creepiness and tension of a knife weilding villain chasing you over the rain slicked roof of a mansion.

 

The Book of Alfar - A Tale of the Hudson Highlands by Peter W. Hassinger

The Book of Alfar is about Alfar, a dwarf who seems to be failing the dark side of his family. The blurb on the back of the book makes it sound like the story is about Sander, a young boy, who does many things with the help of Alfar and Mini, a Native American girl but Alfar is the center of the action.

All his life Alfar has been under the influence of his grandfather the Lord of the Dunderburg. The Lord makes rude remarks about Alfar's intellectual pursuits and care for creatures he should feel are beneath him. The Lord uses the circumstances of the deaths of Alfar's parents to inflame anger and fear. Alfar seems to be trying but he becomes friends with humans and cannot sustain rage at those who have not hurt him.

Alfar's grandfather takes drastic measures and Sander helps Alfar make the decision to be who he is and not who others wish him to be. Along the way Alfar AND Sander learn much about themselves as well as the truth about the past.

Cool book. The suggested reading age is 9+. I recommended it to a 14 year old boy, a 12 year old girl, two 11 year old boys, and a 10 year old girl. The 10 year old girl did not care for the book.

Saturday, August 21, 2004

 

A Head for Poisoning by Simon Beaufort

A Head For Poisoning chronicles the return of Sir Geoffrey Mappestone from the crusades. He is coming home because he received the news that his favorite sister has died. The King has charged him to find a traitor among his family, he finds his family at each others throats, his father is dying of poisoning, and nobody is happy to see him. Not only are things not how he expected them to be, it seems that they were never as he remembered them. Poison, murder, and treason lead Sir Geoffrey on a journey of discovery on which he is loathe to embark.

Detailed, funny, not glossy (rust, drowning, the depression that follows the depredations of the crusades). Simon Beaufort tells a great story.

I've recommended this to several adults who like mysteries, in particular British mysteries like Martha Grimes.

 

The Hungry Ocean by Linda Greenlaw

The Hungry Ocean by Linda Greenlaw is a fascinating look at life on a swordfishing boat. Linda Greenlaw is one of the few female captains on a commercial fishing boat. The Hungry Ocean is the story of one month long trip from beginning to end. From fretting over possibly forgotten items to weathering large storms, seas seemingly empty of fish, and crew interactions to details about how rigs are set up and crew chosen, this tale is fluidly told and sparkles with character and the love that Linda feels for her life.

I've recommended this widely. It is a short book, easily read in a long afternoon, and brings to my landlocked mind a breath of saltwater and a recognition that I am not meant for that sea world.

 

The Corrections by Jonathan Frantzen

The Corrections is a long 567 pages. It took me most of two weeks to wade through. Parts, generally the characters, are interesting and engaging but they are strung together with a stodgy glue that brings depression flooding through the pages swallowing the characters in a dark mud. Slog through the mud for a glimpse at the lives of a chef, a woman struggling to become a caretaker to her overwhelming husband, the loss of control often attached to aging, and the way that lack of life focus can open many doors (and not all of the doors open into positive life changes).

I have to keep reminding myself of the bright spots in The Corrections because otherwise I wonder why I kept reading after the first three pages.

I'm not recommending this one. I'm not sure how to get rid of it. Will I actually throw a book into the trash?

 

Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Just Ella continues the story of Cinderella after the slipper fits. Ella was dazzled by the ball and the handsome prince but life as the bride in waiting is boring. Ella was never a princess but it would not be proper for the world to know that and being proper is what princess should be so she is getting a crash course in princess behaviour and dress. Ella struggles to find a real connection with the other people in the castle but she is discouraged until a health emergency brings her a new, young tutor. Ella isn't what Jed expected and he is shaken into answering honestly and meaningfully to her questions.

When Ella starts to chafe at the restrictions of the castle and her new role, her resistance is met with violence and threats. She sees things more clearly and must decide if she will face a reality that is not her lifelong dream but is much more satisfying and true to who she is.

There is a scene where Ella is imprisoned in the care of a rapist troll. He does not rape her but her fear is well described.

I recommended this book to a 12 year old girl, and a classroom library for 4-6th graders.

I recommend other of Margaret Peterson Haddix's books:

Running Out of Time the story of a young girl who finds out that she is part of an historic re-creation of life in colonial times. A mysterious person in control has changed the rules under which the families entered the experiment and children are dying. Jessie must venture out into the current world (1996) and deal with the technology and life of another century.

And the Shadow Children series which is about a future where familes are limited to 2 children and the realities of life for 3rd and 4th children and their families in that culture. Among the Hidden, Among the Imposters, Among the Betrayed, Among the Barons, and Among the Brave.

 

Hunting Season by Nevada Barr

Hunting Season is an Anna Pigeon novel. Anna Pigeon is a park ranger on the Natchez Trace. Her life is complicated by her relationship with a married (though long separated) priest/sheriff and her position at work in charge of two men who have been in the office longer than she. Things really start twisting when a large man in his underwear is found dead in a historic landmark house on Park property. The whys and hows are interesting but Anna has a bigger problem, someone seems to be hunting her.

I don't really care for Anna as a person. I'm not drawn into her relationships and I spent more time thinking about the futures and pasts of other characters. A blurb on the book cover said there was a surprising twist but I thought the villain was well telegraphed.

My Mom gave this book to me and I passed it on to my sister who will read anything. She says she's read several other Anna Pigeon books.

 

Another vacation

I was on vacation and at a reunion with no internet connection. Oh! the horror! I had serious withdrawal.

Sunday, August 01, 2004

 

Hilary and Jackie by Hilary and Piers du Pre

Hilary and Jackie is a remembrance of Jackie du Pre a world class cellist through the eyes of her sister and brother.

Huilary and Jackie are born into a musical family; their mother won competitions and is now a teacher and her husband played joyfully by ear. Hilary and Jackie are also very talented, playing and performing from when they were very young. Hilary is talented but Jackie is a genius. This book draws in excruciating detail the toll of supporting that genius and the joy that the person Jackie (as opposed to the great cellist Jackie) brings to the family. Time, energy, love are given freely even when the cost to the giver is heavy. The toll that being a world class cellist from a young age takes on a shy fun loving but family oriented girl is also detailed as much as it could without Jackie's direct input.

This life and story are both heart-rendingly sad and full of joy but not at the same time. Could have...would have...should have...pop into the reader's mind but the truth is that as a life is lived we seldom have that separation to make those decisions. It is much easier to see, from outside and after the fact, where things may have been helped but without benefit of the conclusion we would be muddling along trying to help in whatever ways we could. I know that I could not have given all that Hilary gave for Jackie but I am not Hilary.

I have recommended this to every adult to whom I speak about books. I look forward to discussing it with whomever reads it.

 

Night Journeys by Avi

Night Journeys features Peter York, an orphan in colonial America. Peter has been taken in by a Quaker Justice of the Peace and his family. Though well cared for and treated as part of the family, Peter chafes against the confines of the family, their Quaker ways, and his place with them.

As Justice of the Peace Mr. Shinn must aid in the capture of escaped indentured servants. Two such servants are in the area and Peter joins the search party with the reward shining in his mind.

The reward starts to tarnish when Peter meets one of the escaped servants, a young girl who is a branded felon.

The story is somewhat one sided with little note being given to the circumstances of servitude and the responsibility the servants had to their master. It is assumed throughout the book that they are right to escape. I don't think the issue is that clear cut.

There is a sequel to this book Encounter at Easton that continues the story as the escaped servants interact with another boy. I reviewed it here.

I have recommended this book to a 4th grade girl and both a 3rd grade teacher and a 4-6th grade teacher for their class library. My copy of Night Journeys, purchased at a thrift store, is meant for a classroom with space in the front for class and school identification and discussion questions in the back.

 

Spellsinger by Alan Dean Foster

Spellsinger is the first in the Spellsinger series of 6 books. Jon-Tom is a college student in the mid-1980's. He is whipped out of his universe by a wizard looking for aid from another magical creature, an engineer. Jon-Tom, a sanitation engineer (janitor) is not what was expected; neither is the wizard what Jon-Tom expected. Clothahump is a turtle and this new world is "peopled" with intelligent and feisty animals. Clothahump has divined that great trouble is coming from "The Plated Ones", an insect race. An attempt to return Jon-Tom to his earth fails spectacularly but does bring another human to this world. It turns out that Jon-Tom is a spellsinger who through music and song can manipulate the world into providing transportation. A ragged and slightly criminal but generally positive group grows and travels to try to stop the insect invasion.

The story is dated by the musical references. It took me quite a while to read this book, maybe two weeks. I'm not sure why, it just didn't catch my interest and I kept putting it down in favour of other books.

 

Saber and Shadow by S.M. Stirling and Shirley Meier

Saber & Shadow is part of the Fifth millennium series by S.M. Stirling, Shirley Meier, and Karen Wehrstein. Saber and Shadow brings together two characters (or is it three? It has been a while since I read all of the books) developed in separate books. Megan Whitlock and Shkai'ra are strong female protagonists who are unwillingly drawn into political and religious maneuvering in a foreign land. They do not do more than hesitate at taking some advantage (monetary or other) where they find it...after all you should not reject the gifts of the gods.

The manipulation of the lower classes by religion, political persons, and various other groups with power are at the center of the troubles in Illizbuah.

There are some well crafted fight scenes and the various journeys across and through the city are inventive and interesting.

There is the development of a romantic relationship between the two women but it is not prurient. Their relationship models respecting of boundaries and that trust is a solid foundation for any relationship.

It is an interesting series. I haven't recommended this book in years; I keep the series on my bookshelf for my own joy. I did recommend it when I used to have friends who read sci-fi and fantasy.

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