Ramona's comments
(member since Oct 27, 2008)
Ramona's comments from the Endicott Mythic Fiction group.
(showing 1-20 of 20)
I read it last year, the trilogy, in fact, so I'll join in the discussion at month's end. It's a terrific read, BTW.
I started reading it but stopped after about 60 pages. I wanted to like it because I loved the Endicott Studio Web site and love Midori Snyder's blog, but I wasn't enjoying this book. It's obviously well-researched and well-written, but my personal preference lately is to avoid material about graphic violence, especially of a sexual nature. It's a personal thing, no reflection on the work.
Oh, this is delicious! Thanks, Odette! I'd like to share this site: http://www.dailywriting.net/. It's the Soul Food Cafe, a free site for artists and writers with its own internal mythology and endless paths to explore in a delightful fantasy world. The creator, Heather Blakey, is famous Down Under for her creative writing programs in schools.
I'm in.
I've put it on reserve at the library but there's a very long wait list, so I probably won't get it read until near the end of the month.
Glad you're back, Odette. I totally understand about the "life stuff." Life is handing me lots of stuff these days too. This book group is a great distraction! (And I mean that in a positive way.)
"Winter Rose" was a delightful discovery for me, so thanks to Brittany! I tend to put a book down if I see a plot weakness or characters that are poorly drawn. This novel is practically flawless, by my estimation. The author had me completely under her spell. The Winter Queen or Faery Queen, who I don't think is ever named, is more a force of Nature than a character with human traits. Yes, even a force of Nature needs some human traits if it is to be an actor in the plot, but as a Faery Queen she lacks human compassion--that's simply a trait of Faery. I surmised that her motivation is to exercise her power however she wishes. However, I sympathize with those who wanted to know more about her motivation. She did seem very arbitrary, not subject to human or faery laws. I applaud Patricia McKillip for creating such strong female characters.
I'm in. Just got my copy and will take it on vacation with me. Looking forward to it--I like the cover!
I read this a couple of months ago and while it was enjoyable, it did not ring my bell. I guess I have read many faery tales with a similar theme, and this one didn't seem to say much that was new to me. However, my daughter, who is in college, read it also and commented that this would be her ideal life: living in a remote, beautiful forest and creating art.
I just happened to have purchased "The Orphan's Tales" recently, so great timing. I'm in this April discussion.
Oh Emilie, thank you so much for this tidbit! I didn't know about the series, but now I'll hunt for them all. I read The Wild Wood recently and loved it; so did my daughter. I'll join the discussion when it gets going.
Thank you, Christopher! I expect some others who are still reading may want to join in as well.
After reading the thoughtful questions from readers and Christopher Barzak's equally thoughtful replies, I decided I need to join this discussion, belatedly. I'll start reading asap.
"Church of the Old Mermaids" is her latest. Add to your stack!
Hi Lisarose and all, are you referring to Kim Antieau's Church of the Old Mermaids? I read it last year on her web site and was pleased to see it's being published as a book. It's a contemporary story inspired by myth and love of the land. No fairies popping in and out. Instead there are amazing people who become empowered through magical thinking. As far as I'm concerned, that's what life is all about! Way to go, Kim!
Hello Baobhan, thanks for your response. Can you send me a URL for "Monthly Group Reading Choices"? I can't see it. Thanks.
Hello Odette, I joined a month or two ago but find the site quite hard to follow. There doesn't seem to be one place to go to see a current listing of each month's book. Above you refer to the March reading choice but I haven't seen any discussion of that. How can a new member decide the March reading choice? Please, any clarification you can provide will be much appreciated!
I'm in also. I received a used copy through Amazon.com. A shame it's out of print because the writing is excellent and original. One way to find it might be through your library's interlibrary loan service.
Stuart was damned, Willy was doomed, and the Phouka was delightful! I didn't expect to enjoy this novel so much. Emma Bull knows the fiction-writing craft very, very well. I stand in awe of her skills. The pacing was excellent, the scenes imaginative, the characters sympathetic. Eddie was believable as a young woman learning how to use her own power. I agree with Vivian that Willy had the most possibility for growth and change. That was his doom--that he could not bridge the faery-human gap, but he was doomed in that quest from the start. He'd make a great main character in another tale. I didn't quite believe that the Phouka, who is Loki, the trickster, after all, could turn out to be such a sweetheart--don't turn your back, Eddie!
I read her "Territory" this year and found it oddly intriguing. Ms. Bull takes a quirky approach to a well-worn (almost worn-out?) Western theme--the showdown at the OK Corral--and opens another way of seeing the by-now stereotyped characters of this frontier drama. She doesn't reinvent them exactly, but she does twist them. I'm in for War for the Oaks.
