Reviews

Dec 16 2011

Birth of the Kingdom by Jan Guillou

Birth of the Kingdom: Book Three of the Crusades Trilogy by Jan Guillou is the last book in the trilogy that follows Templar Knight Arn de Gotha from his days as a boy in Sweden to his exile in the Holy Land back to Sweden.  The last book covers Arn’s return and redemption in Sweden.  Arn reunites with the woman (Cecilia) he had a child with before he was exiled.  He is accompanied by many skilled artisans from the Holy Land.  With the help of the artisans, Arn leads a building effort to strengthen his clan’s (Folkungs) position in Sweden.  As a result of this building and certain business decisions made by Arn and Cecilia, the Folkungs become the most powerful clan in Sweden.

The book is a little slower paced than the first two books, but it is full of  a lot more detail on the time period than the previous two books.  This detail gives the reader a richer understanding of medieval Swedish life.  For instance, Guillou describes the relationship between thralls (slaves owned by the Swedish landed aristocracy) and their masters.  Similar to slaves throughout time, the thralls were poorly treated.  Their miserable life is vividly portrayed by Guillou.

The action does not start until maybe the last 75 pages of the book’s 480 pages.  This action surrounds the clash between the Folkung and Erik Clans against the Sverker clan (and their Danish allies).  Through Arn’s leadership, the Folkung and Erik clans are able to defeat the Sverkers and found modern-day Sweden.

Although I am more interested in books that are full of action and despite the fact that this book is not so action-packed, I enjoyed reading it.  It was full of intrigue and mystery.  I had a sense that Arn would succeed, but I was not sure how he would fulfill his desires.  Guillou is a master in keeping the reader guessing.

The book brings to a close a wonderful story about a man and his faith and his love for a woman.

 

 

By Jeff Grim • Reviews • 0 • Tags: , ,

Dec 15 2011

Night of the Living Dead Christian by Matt Mikalatos

I said of Imaginary Jesus by Matt Mikalatos that “the book walks the fine line between slapstick comedy and insightful spiritual commentary – and in my opinion manages to pull it off for the most part.”  Mikalatos follow up, Night of the Living Dead Christian, attempts to walk that same line – with less successful results.  What starts out as a slapstick spoof on cheesy horror movies suddenly turns into a very serious story and spiritual commentary. The transition is abrupt and gives the book a very odd feel.

Publisher’s blurb:

What does a transformed life actually look like?

In his follow-up to the critically acclaimed Imaginary Jesus, Matt Mikalatos tackles this question in an entertaining and thought-provoking way—with MONSTERS!!! While Christians claim to experience Christ’s resurrection power, we sometimes act like werewolves who can’t control our base desires. Or zombies, experiencing a resurrection that is 90 percent shambling death and 10 percent life. Or vampires, satiating ourselves at the expense of others. But through it all we long to stop being monsters and become truly human—the way Christ intended. We just can’t seem to figure out how.

Night of the Living Dead Christian is the story of Luther, a werewolf on the run, whose inner beast has driven him dangerously close to losing everything that matters. Desperate to conquer his dark side, Luther joins forces with Matt to find someone who can help. Yet their time is running out. A powerful and mysterious man is on their trail, determined to kill the wolf at all costs . . .

By turns hilarious and heartbreaking, Night of the Living Dead Christian is a spiritual allegory that boldly explores the monstrous underpinnings of our nature and tackles head-on the question of how we can ever hope to become truly transformed.

The challenge Matt faces is trying to use the unique fictional element (the story and his own role within it) to both entertain and offer insight; to make it a story that works while making the points he wants to make.  In Imaginary Jesus I thought it largely came together without any one aspect dominating and toppling over the balance. This time the balance was off and it came out as the foundation of a good story (Luther Martin) surrounded by a lot of silly distractions and ending with mostly preaching.  The hook of viewing Christian living through the lens of monsters is interesting but in the end it felt like too many ingredients forced into a style and structure that didn’t quite fit.

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By Kevin Holtsberry • Reviews • 2 • Tags: , ,

Dec 13 2011

Swan Lake by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Lisbeth Zwerger

Our tour of Lisbeth Zwerger books in my collection continues today with Swan Lake.  Most people think of the ballet when they think Swan Lake but it was initially written as a one-act fairy tale dance piece for the children of his sister.  It wasn’t until four years later that he was commissioned to create the ballet of the same title.  As Zwerger relates in her author note, the presentation of this most famous of all ballets was a disaster.  Sixteen years later, and after Tchaikovsky‘s death, the score and choreography were changed and the story was given a tragic ending.

Zwerger revives the earlier story, the one with the happy ending, in her retelling of this classic.

Booklist:

Confessing in an appended note that she had approached Swan Lake with mixed feelings because of its tragic conclusion, Zwerger found that her research supported a happier ending, based on Tchaikovsky’s original version of the ballet in 1877. In this picture book, Zwerger offers a series of subtle, delicate paintings illustrating that story. Decorated with swans, boughs, and other figures and flourishes, a few bars of music appear on each left-hand page above the text, offering a musical context for each scene. Facing are large, bordered paintings that illustrate part of the story. Their magical yet somber tone and muted colors suit the many night settings. The delicately composed artwork also has surreal touches, such as the thundercloud that enters the ballroom above the villains’ heads, and the swan’s-head effects sometimes created with the swan queen’s hands. Some of the finest pictures are compositions in black, white, and many shades of gray. Told with drama and illustrated with grace, this is a handsome interpretation of the story.

I agree. It really is a wonderful example of a fairy tales coming to life in words and art.  It is a simple story but full of surprising emotion and depth. And with just ten evocative illustrations Zwerger both brings it to life and inspires the imagination; allowing the reader to bring their imagination to the story and fill in the details.

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By Kevin Holtsberry • Reviews • 0 • Tags: , , , , , ,

Dec 12 2011

Fly Trap by Frances Hardinge

I loved Fly By Night so when I saw a sequel had been released I knew I needed to read it right away.   And if you enjoyed the first book I think you will enjoy Fly Trap as well. It is full of the same dry humor, word play, imaginative characters, fascinating world building and intricate plots.

Having barely escaped the revolution they had a huge (if accidental) part in causing, sharp-eyed orphan Mosca Mye; her guard goose, Saracen; and their sometimes-loyal companion, the con man Eponymous Clent, must start anew.

All too quickly, they find themselves embroiled in fresh schemes and twisting politics as they are trapped in Toll, an odd town that changes its entire personality as day turns to night. Mosca and her friends attempt to fend off devious new foes, subvert old enemies, prevent the kidnapping of the mayor’s daughter, steal the town’s Luck, and somehow manage to escape with their lives—and hopefully a little money in their pockets.

In the eagerly awaited sequel to Fly by Night, acclaimed storyteller Frances Hardinge returns to a vivid world rich with humor, danger, and discovery.

This one has a serious idea below the surface as well: that treating people differently based on arbitrary standards warps and poisons society. Hardinge powerfully portrays how society becomes stratified with those in power using fear to divide and conquer. Keep Reading

By Kevin Holtsberry • Reviews • 0 • Tags: , , , ,

Dec 9 2011

An Elk Dropped in by Andreas Steinhöfel

This is why libraries and bookstores have special sections, tables, endcaps, etc. I was running into the library to pick up a book I had reserved when An Elk Dropped in caught my eye.  A quick look and I was intrigued. Here is the publisher’s blurb:

An unexpected visitor makes Christmas special for a little boy. While performing a trial run for Santa Claus – the reindeer are far too dainty and aloof for such risky business – Mr. Moose goes off course and crashes through the roof of Billy Wagner’s house, injuring his leg. There’s nothing to do but to stay there until he recovers, regaling the family with stories until Father Christmas comes to get him. Billy’s fascination with Mr. Moose lifts the little boy’s spirits as he faces a new year of hope. This perennial best-seller in Germany will bring Christmas cheer to all readers.

A translated holiday story with charming illustrations? Yes, I will pick that up for the family. I read it last night and found it to be a quirky and enjoyable story.

I like the way the story blends in the miraculous nature of a talking moose who helps train Santa’s sleigh with the more mundane aspects of life: Billy’s know-it-all sister, his newly divorced mom’s feminist friend and her scarves, the helpful but nosey neighbor, etc.  The illustrations match this blend – sophisticated watercolors that have a cartoon quality. Billy is a likable character and his connection with Mr. Moose is charming; even if the bring back the divorced parents theme is somewhat over-done in the end. Even Know-it-all Kiki is endearing with her love of science and knowledge even as applied to something like Father Christmas and talking moose.

Little things make the story witty and realistic. The way the family feed grandma’s coconut biscuits to the ducks because she always burns them. How Billy fears his dark secret – breaking the neighbors eggs – will come out and ruin his Christmas.  How Mrs. Wagner’s motherly instincts kick in as they take care of Mr. Moose; and how much the family appreciates having a “pet” no matter how temporary and unique. Santa Clause as a rather brusque and demanding figure was a nice touch.

So if you are looking for something different for bedtime reading during the holidays check this one out.  A quirky story perfect as a short story for adults or to be read out loud with children.

By Kevin Holtsberry • Reviews • 0 • Tags: , , ,

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