Alex C. Telander's Blog, page 87
February 8, 2012
"The Death of King Arthur" translated by Simon Armitage (Norton, 2011)
Simon Armitage's translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was a delight to read and well-received by many readers (it remains one of the top read reviews on BookBanter), and now Armitage is back with his new translation of The Death of King Arthur, appearing in 1400, also known as The Alliterative Morte Arthure; it is imbued with the passion and panache of Seamus Heaney's translation of Beowulf.
The story opens at a Christmas day feast where King Arthur is entertaining his round table of knights and the people of his court. It is rudely interrupted by an emissary of the emperor Lucius Iberius, who is demanding Arthur pay taxes and tributes owed to the emperor. Thus begins Arthur's journey across Europe, as the reader learns of the extent of the king's lands, as well as his power and ability as a leader and knight in these descriptive and alliterative scenes of conquest. The Knights of the Round Table will eventually reach their destination, where Arthur will confront the emperor, but also meet his inevitable end.
Armitage does a fantastic job of creating a translation of this tale that is both entertaining and addictive to read, but still maintains its alliterative originality. Published in a bilingual edition, readers can enjoy glancing over at the original Middle English text and see the original lines and stanzas, and also see how Armitage has masterfully crafted this text to be alliterative as well as encompass the modern English language. Both King Arthur fans and fans of Armitage's work will not be disappointed.
Originally written on February 6, 2012 ©Alex C. Telander.
To purchase a copy of The Death of King Arthur from Amazon, and help support BookBanter, click HERE.
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February 7, 2012
"Death of Kings" by Bernard Cornwell (HarperCollins, 2012)
In the sixth book of Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Tales, he makes it clear with the title that this is the most important book of the series, as it's the one where Alfred the Great finally passes from this world, leaving this torn country with an uncertain future, and it will be up to his successor to decide what to do.
King Alfred dreamed of a united England, but now as he lies on his death bed, time is running out and this reality seems like it won't be happening anytime soon. The Danes to the north are still not giving up, controlling a considerable proportion of the country and hungry for more. It comes down to who has the more soldiers and the stronger alliances. Also, even though Alfred's son Edward is the heir apparent, there are some other Saxons who have aims of taking the throne. The Saxon-born, Viking-raised Uhtred who still believes strongly in the Norse gods will be the leader to once again make things happen; he has already sacrificed much for Alfred, and now finally receives a just reward, but he will have to fight to keep it from the attacking Danes, as well as swear fealty to the new king, Edward.
Fans will quickly gobble up Death of Kings, as they pay witness to the passing of an important character that was inevitably going to happen, but the good news is that Cornwell makes it clear in his afterword that while Alfred's part in this story may now be over, there is still more to tell, and Uhtred still has an important part to play.
Originally written on February 6, 2012 ©Alex C. Telander.
To purchase a copy of Death of Kings from Amazon, and help support BookBanter, click HERE.
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February 6, 2012
"Phases of Gravity" by Dan Simmons (Subterranean Press, 2012)
The great Subterranean Press continues with its limited edition releases of Dan Simmons' work, with his early bestseller, Phases of Gravity, originally published in 1989. In Simmons' classic style that has gone on to create many a fan and reader, as well as win multiple awards, Phases of Gravity seems to be a simple, straightforward story on the surface, but as the reader plunges deeper into its depths, it becomes something much larger and meaningful.
Phases of Gravity is a change from what fans might be used to with Simmons, as it features little of the horrific or science fictional, but is the story about what a man does when he has achieved the greatest pinnacle; how he lives his now very ordinary-seeming life. Richard Baedecker has done what very few people on this planet have done: walked upon the surface of the room. A former astronaut, Baedecker is now traveling around, wondering what to do with his life now that he has done what so few have. He has a failed marriage and a son that hates him. The book takes him to an unusual location in Poona, India, where he meets the beautiful and unique Maggie Brown who will help him in his personal quest to find his "places of power," the locations that have had meaning to him in his past, and make him realize the importance of what he has.
Originally written on January 24, 2012 ©Alex C. Telander.
To purchase a copy of Phases of Gravity from Amazon, and help support BookBanter, click HERE.
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February 2, 2012
"A Flight of Angels" illustrated by Rebecca Guay and written by Bill Willingham, et. al. (Vertigo, 2011)
Every once in a while a graphic novel comes along that steals the show on whatever it's competing with on the shelf or display or endcap; A Flight of Angels is one of those books. The cover catches the eye with its color, complexity and style, right away piquing one's interest, and then known names like Bill Willingham and Holly Black force the curious reader to pick it up and start reading.
Talented artist Rebecca Guay is known for illustrating fantasy and children's books, including stories by the likes of Ursula K. LeGuin, Bruce Coville and Jane Yolen; and most recently The Last Dragon graphic novel with Jane Yolen. Guay conceived and illustrates A Flight of Angels which explores the fantasy concept of angels and how they've interacted with humanity. In the framing story, written by Holly Black, a number of fairy characters find the body of an angel who has yet to return to consciousness, and they mull over whether to let him live or die. It's a great setup for some great storytelling, as each character tells a tale they have learned about angels, and whether they are to be feared or respected. A Flight of Angels features stories penned by the likes of Bill Willingham, Alisa Kwitney, Louise Hawes, and Todd Mitchell.
What is most surprising and mesmerizing about this book is that even though it's illustrated by one artist, each story feels like it is done by its own unique artist, with its own special distinctive style. The stories are compelling, and overall the book has a feel of a moving fairytale fantasy, akin to Neil Gaiman's graphic novel works in faerie. It is a delight to read and enjoy, and will be appreciated by anyone caught up by its distinctive cover.
Originally written on January 1, 2012 ©Alex C. Telander.
To purchase a copy of A Flight of Angels from Amazon, and help support BookBanter, click HERE.
February 1, 2012
Faces of Publishing #1: Justin Golenbock, Publicist for Tor & Forge Books
It's a new month, which means a new interview here on BookBanter, and this one is something special. In February I kick off a series of interviews I plan on running for most of the year, all focused on people in publishing. I've done many interviews with authors, but now I'm going behind the scenes to meet and talk with all the people involved in creating that book after the author has written. I'll be interviewing publicists, agents, editors, marketing people, ebook people . . . to provide insight into a world not many of us know all that much about. If you work in publishing and would be interested in being interviewed on BookBanter, please feel free to contact me at alex@bookbanter.net. I plan to run these interviews on the first of every month. And now let's begin with the first interview in the Faces of Publishing series, and this one is certainly an entertaining one!
Justin Golenbock is a Senior Publicist for Tor and Forge Books and has worked with them for over three years. Previously he was a publicist at Henry Holt & Company. In this interview, Justin talks about how he got into publishing and became a publicist, what an ordinary day entails for him, and what he likes to do for fun.
Alex C. Telander: How did you first get started in publishing?
Justin Golenbock: Like most young wannabes, I applied to lots and lots of jobs (over 70, I think) before landing my first interview, and the rest is history. I've been in the industry over 5 years now and haven't yet lost my sanity. 
Alex: Did you always want to work in publicity?
Justin: I had no idea what it was, actually, until I first interviewed for an assistant job. The industry (and this job) is a lot more complex than I thought it was, from the outside looking in, but the excitement of working with authors and having such a direct impact on the success or failure of a book hooked me.
January 30, 2012
"Fables Volume 16: Super Team" by Bill Willingham, Mark Buckingham, Steve Leialoha, Eric Shanower and Terry Moore (Vertigo, 2011)
This new volume in the award-winning and fabulous Fables series features the familiar, amazing artists Mark Buckingham and Steve Leialoha, and some well known guest artists with Eric Shanower and Terry Moore. Shanower pencils an interesting introductory tale from fableland, while Terry Moore does the art of the moving final tale of "Waking Beauty."
At the heart of the volume is the story of the "super team." Mr. Dark has Fabletown bowing to his whim, wreaking his evil and darkness, and must be stopped at all costs. He is now growing his dominance in the land of fable, blocked by a protective force field by Flycatcher. They're going to need a crack team of really strong fables, the F-Men, to stop this Mr. Dark. They're going to need the likes of Werewolf Man, and The Golden Knight, and maybe the Green Witch. They'll need training and simulations to be ready, but ultimately someone much stronger will be needed to take down this master of darkness and fear.
Super Team does what every volume since the start has done: furthered the compelling story, as well as introducing new material and new fables, to keep the readers hooked. The fresh art styles of Shanower and Moore add to the magic, making this volume a requirement for any fan.
Originally written on December 30, 2011 ©Alex C. Telander.
To purchase a copy of Fables Super Team from Amazon, and help support BookBanter, click HERE.
January 27, 2012
"The Last Dragon" by Jane Yolen and Rebecca Guay (Dark Horse, 2011)
Known kid's and young adult author, Jane Yolen, teams up with artist Rebecca Guay to present a beautiful and captivating graphic novel story. Two centuries ago the dragons were driven away from the Islands of May, or killed off, but there is one left who has now been awoken and is ravaging the towns, killing the people, with no hope of stopping the giant lizard. It is up to an unlikely character: the healer has gone missing, presumed dead, in search of the dragon, and the healer's daughter vows to avenge his death. Meanwhile messengers are sent out to explore the lands for a true hero, one who can slay the dragon. Some are found, but proved cowards, until the last who is just the sort of hero they're looking for; only the man seems to be more of bluster and talk than of actual skill, strength and prowess. The healer's daughter and the supposed hero join forces, using their abilities and intelligence to come up with a way to defeat the dragon involving a most unusual and giant sized kite.
The art of The Last Dragon is enchanting, in the style of Neil Gaiman's and Charles Vess' Stardust, that has the classic feel of a beautifully illustrated story tale, combined with the moving story and some interesting characters that would never be brought together if it weren't for the events of the story. The Last Dragon is a great book to read to and show to children, as well as to be enjoyed by anyone who's a fan of the fantasy genre.
Originally written on December 30, 2011 ©Alex C. Telander.
To purchase a copy of The Sword: Fire from Amazon, and help support BookBanter, click HERE.
January 26, 2012
"The Sword Volume 1: Fire" by the Luna Brothers (Image, 2008)
Discovered on a recommendation from a friend, Fire is the first volume in the four-volume The Sword collection from the Luna Brothers. The art style is good but not exceptional, the storytelling interesting in the way that great stories are: an captivating beginning that slowly deals out the details, hooking the reader in as they wonder what will happen next, until the full story is revealed to the reader's complete and utter surprise.
Dara Brighton is an ordinary girl who has learned to live with being in a wheelchair very well, working her way through college and keeping her eye on the cute boys. As she enjoys a hearty dinner with her family, three strangers of apparent strength and ability break into their home and accuse her father of hiding a secret sword. He denies it, so the massacre begins as these strange assailants reveal their unbelievable powers, and Dara soon finds herself fighting for her life. She ends up deep within the basement of her house; a place she hasn't really searched before, and buried within it she finds the sword. As she picks it up she feels the power run through her and miraculously stands up.
The first volume of The Sword series will hook any graphic novel fan, and the Luna Brothers reveal a good amount of explanation and back story at the end of Fire that will make the reader impatient to read the successive three volumes.
Originally written on December 30, 2011 ©Alex C. Telander.
To purchase a copy of The Sword: Fire from Amazon, and help support BookBanter, click HERE.
January 25, 2012
How you can help spread the word about "Unquiet Slumbers for the Sleepers"
You can find the link to the book here (http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/123676), where you can buy the ebook for just $0.99, and also view a good sample of it. You can share this link on Facebook, or any other social network, or by emailing it to friends and family.
Clicking the "Like" Button on the book page – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/123676
If you're interested in possibly reviewing Unquiet Slumbers for the Sleepers, just drop me an email at alexctelander@gmail.com, and I'll get a free review copy to you.
If you have a Goodreads account, go to the book page for Unquiet Slumbers for the Sleepers (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13416260-unquiet-slumbers-for-the-sleepers) and rate and/or review the book; or like the page; or share the page. You can also recommend the book to Goodreads friends this way.
Free wallpapers and icons are available on the BookBanter site (http://www.bookbanter.net/books.html) and can be used as desktop or laptop backgrounds, and icons make great profile pictures whether it's on Facebook, Google Plus, chat programs, or any number of other sites that use avatars.
The book will be up and available on sites like Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Itunes in a week or two. Using one or more of the tools above will go a long way to spreading the word about Unquiet Slumbers for the Sleepers.
Thank you for all your help!
Alex.
"Kafka on the Shore" by Haruki Murakami (Random House, 2005)
Internationally bestselling author Haruki Murakami is well known for his use of the fantastic in his novels, to the point where they could quite easily be classed as fantasy or science fiction books; at the very least the literary world likes to brand them as works of "magical realism." Kafka on the Shore is an excellent example of this and a good book to start on for those not too familiar with his work, as the world is well grounded before the fantastic appears in the story, broken up into shortish chapters so the reader doesn't become lost. The book also features one of the darkest and most horrific scenes involving cats that I've ever read.
There are two storylines in Kafka on the Shore. One is of Kafka Tamura, who is sick of the pathetic excuse for parenting from his celebrity father, and runs away from home, embarking on his own adventure, meeting special and unusual people only Murakami could create. He is in search of the identity of his lost sister, and looking to find out who his real mother is. Kafka ends up working at a small library, where there is a middle-aged lady who could well be his mother, as well as a transsexual librarian who becomes a good and close friend.
And then there is Nakata, an old simple man who seems to be losing his marbles, but actually knows what he's talking about and has his own journey to go on and complete. He can also talk to cats. After dealing with a problem he heads on his journey that skillfully brings him into the Kafka storyline, but it is not until near the end of the book that the whole story is revealed and realized. While the story continues on a little too long, even though the story feels complete, Kafka on the Shore is a great example of the fantastic writer that is Haruki Murakami.
Originally written on December 30, 2011 ©Alex C. Telander.
To purchase a copy of Kafka on the Shore from Amazon, and help support BookBanter, click HERE.
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