October Book Bracket

I read many fewer works this month than I would have liked, but I'm trying hard to keep up with class reading, which limits the time I spend on books that are more fun. All the same, I managed to fit in a couple for-fun reads at the beginning of the month when they were much needed during the business of work.

The Thief, by Megan Whalen Turner

In this fantasy adventure, Gen, an imprisoned thief, is forced into an expedition to recover a legendary stone that grants the right of ruling a country to the possessor.

Why I picked it up: A Facebook advertisement announcing the release of the latest book in the series prompted me to read this first installment.

My impressions: The main feeling I got from this book was one of reading through a Dungeons & Dragons experience developed by the author. That may not be a fair assessment, but it gives me a good outline for talking about the pros and cons. I enjoyed the world and myths developed in the story and found the characters unique and entertaining. I wondered at one point if "self-centered but gifted petty thieving criminal" is a trope in fantasy worlds, because that description is one I've seen before and it definitely fits the main character. I enjoyed the adventure very much, but the exciting parts weren't as gripping as other books I've read (Green Ember, for example). This result could stem from the fact that I was a little confused at times and missed various hints throughout the novel that enjoyed their full significance only at the end of the tale. It made for a fun ending, but I think it is possible this book might be more fun - or at least fun in a different way - on the second reading. I'm not sure if I'll be rereading this book in the future; it's not really one I'd anticipate sharing with potential future children as a beloved story from my younger days. However, it had a good enough ending that I was still thinking of it on and off the next day. I figure a high school student secure in their faith and not troubled by non-Christian creation stories could handle this book. I must warn that there is a decent bit of swearing by the pagan gods of that world, stealing is apparently not frowned upon, and some of the myths involve some (non-explicit) but clearly stated affairs between different gods and goddesses.

Beorn the Proud, by Madeleine Polland

Ness, an Irish Christian captured in a raid by a Viking peer, Beorn, becomes a slave in his household and accompanies him on an adventure to save the Danish king against Beorn's cousin, Helge.

Why I picked it up: I bought several "living history" books, published by Bethlehem Books, when that company had an online sale. I enjoy medieval settings and, probably still with "Rolf and the Viking Bow" in my memory, decided to take a chance on this one.

My impressions: I enjoyed this book. I felt it had much more depth than the last book of this type I finished, "Red Hugh, Prince of Donahue," because there was believable character development. I liked the pace of the story and felt that, even at 180-some pages, it was pretty short. I appreciated the underlying tension between Christian and pagan nations, but more especially that the author depicts how people can share their faith without becoming preachy - Polland never becomes preachy in her writing, herself. The religious differences are naturally integrated and actually provide key insights into characters, rather than being a chance setting that was necessary for a Viking adventure. This is a book I would recommend to children who are at that reading level and anyone older who wants a quick and interesting Irish-Danish adventure. For the sake of sensitive children, it might be good to know that the story starts with a Viking raid (violent, killing) and there is a scene where a hermit, who has lost his wits, is abandoned to a death of starvation or exposure on a beach.

Dialogues, by St. Gregory the Great

Pope Saint Gregory the Great communicates about miracles and spiritual truths in dialogue with his friend, Peter.

Why I picked it up: This book was required reading for the philosophy class I am taking right now.

My impressions: I liked the miracle stories best in this book. The book includes mostly people of whom I've never heard, but the author dedicated the entire second dialogue to Saint Benedict and the miraculous happenings of his life. I felt inspired to live a better life during the first dialogue, but I became inured to the wonderful happenings later on (I regret to say it, because it is a reflection of me, and not of the stories). Towards the end, I mainly felt concern about how my soul will be judged after death - many of the stories, especially at the end, highlight how strictly we shall be judged - but I imagine this is one of the main intentions of the book. If so, Saint Gregory accomplishes his purpose. The choice to use a philosophical dialogue format was not my favorite because Peter's questions served mainly as launching points for the stories and ponderings of the pope, but I may have appreciated it more had I not been a modern reader. This book would make some good spiritual reading, I think, but I didn't find it as impactful as other works. High school students and older should be able to handle it, although some middle school readers might appreciate the many miracles.

Paradise Lost, by John Milton

Renaissance-era English poet Milton composed this classic epic about the fall of Satan and the tempting and fall of mankind.

Why I picked it up: This book was required reading for the Great Books class I'm taking.

My impressions: This work was a mixed bag for me. I thought it was weird that the first two (of twelve) books, or long chapters, in the epic were all about Satan and the demons. Even stranger was the order of events, with the focus switching between Satan/the demons, God and the angels, and Adam and Eve, the actual fall of Satan being told in a backstory by the angel Raphael, and then humans eventually gaining more attention at the poem progresses. But, it's still a classic, and even though this first story from the book of Genesis has never been my favorite, I still felt moved at different parts by the wonderful writing. I sensed the coming tragedy and ached because I knew how it would end, and yet, the poem ends with a bittersweet removal from Eden, the earthly paradise and a promise that greater good would come out of the evil of Man's disobedience. There were a couple places where Milton takes a dig at the Catholic Church (he was a Puritan, I think?), but it's not too blatant. More problematic to me was that Satan ended up being a relatable character - I felt at the beginning that Milton had made him, in some ways, admirable, which troubled me. However, discussion in class helped me think better of what Milton did - I think the idea was that Milton wanted us to feel the attraction of sin, as it truly has in our lives, but realize that no matter how "good" it seems, it is and always will be bad. Another area of note is that the theology is definitely not correct in places (I won't go into it all now). Milton didn't shy away from talking about rape (Satan and Sin) and sex, but when he spoke of the relationship between Adam and Eve before the fall, it had some elements that - as one of my professors said - made it sound like Jason Evert wrote it. All things considered, I think that this is a good work to read with solid guidance. I read parts of it in college and the considerations were literary, but not necessarily with that Catholic lens which I appreciate; I didn't really like it at the time. It's not my favorite even now, but I might reread it someday if I have a good reason. I think college-age or mature high school readers could tackle this, but again, I'd recommend some sort of literary critique or discussion with knowledgeable persons to really get a better appreciation of it.

The Hind and the Panther, by John Dryden

This long poem is a metaphor or allegory for a dialogue of which church is the true Church - that of the Church of England, or that of the Catholic Church; it falls in favor of the Catholic Church.

Why I picked it up: This poem was required reading for the Great Books class I'm taking.

My impressions: Well, I wasn't super impressed. Perhaps the class discussion of this work will help me appreciate it more, but it wasn't a great read. If it is meant as an apology for Catholicism, I guess it is a creative way to present arguments, but as a work of literature, it is definitely not at the level of other classics I have read. I wouldn't recommend reading it.

Bracket Play

Bracket play was pretty straightforward; the favorites of the first round, "Beorn the Proud" and St. Gregory's "Dialogues" won easily against their less-likable opponents. It was a tough match between "The Thief" and "Beorn the Proud" in the second round, but Turner's work edged out "Beorn" primarily because it made this reader want to look into more works by the same author while the losing work was quite satisfactory as a single story. I didn't find myself looking up Polland's other books to see if there was a sequel. A work of fiction won yet again this month over the religious works. Again, this is not because the spiritual reading was bad; it is because the fiction is engaging enough that I have talked to others about it in an attempt to get them interested in it. I want to talk to other people about "The Thief" and I haven't found anyone else who has read it yet.

Books Attempted and Put Down

Crown of Coral and Pearl, by Mara Rutherford

Nor, a twin from a settlement in the middle of the sea, takes her injured sister's place as the most beautiful maiden from her village and soon-to-be-bride of a prince, but she finds the land is a dangerous place full of scheming court members, a sickly king, and a creepy fiance. Also, the prince has a super-attractive half brother.

Why I picked it up: After "The Thief," I was still hankering for some fantasy and saw this book recommended on a Facebook group I follow.

Why I put it down: The descriptions were too...sensuous? for me. There were a lot of descriptions that weren't necessarily inappropriate, per se, but there was an overuse of physicality that I eventually concluded could be troublesome - it was, in fact, troublesome for me. I would actually be pretty set against letting a teenage daughter read this book for that reason. Beyond that, the book felt like a pretty stereotypical YA book, with the inclusion of a smirking love interest, societal unrest, decrying a focus on appearances, and at least one sequel (because how often do we come across YA standalone novels?). I skimmed the rest to find out what happened and I couldn't get a good picture. I figured that I wouldn't have enjoyed much of it, as it seemed to turn pretty heavily to political machinations at the point I ended - my impression could be wrong, though.

The Queen of Attolia, by Megan Whalen Turner

This sequel to "The Thief" follows the moody thief, Eugenides, as he becomes a key player in the war that has erupted between the countries of Eddis, Attolia, and Sounis.

Why I picked it up: I was delighted by the first book and, still being in the mood for some fantasy literature but disappointed in "Crown of Coral and Pearl," I wanted to find out what happened next in Turner's world.

Why I put it down: I wanted to finish this book! I really did - but I was just not in the right mindset for a romance. I was about 75% of the way done with the book before the love story became a bigger deal (it had been mostly action/adventure/brooding up to that point), and I made it to maybe 80% completion, but I just couldn't handle the romance right now. It wasn't steamy or anything...just not right for me at this time. And the relationship was a little unusual, somewhat arranged, but with some emotional investment. I couldn't find any spoilers on Wikipedia for how the story ends, so I couldn't say that I'd finished it even by skimming/looking up. I don't even know if I could recommend it or not because...well...a lot rides on how a story ends.