"Summer Tree" Ending *spoilers (of course!)*

[Andre]

I know there are some people out there that have finished the book, so does anyone want to comment on the ending? It's a cliffhanger, but it's also the end of a cycle, with the beginning leading up to Loren and Matt using Kim to take the five into Fionavar, and the end leading up to Kim pulling them out again. How much does it make you want to read the rest of the trilogy?

[Janny]

I read this way back when it came out - loved it then, and reread for a cover job - loved it again.

Many who come to this book, these days, may not realize that Kay did not draw from 'modern' material - this is not a derivative book, in that way. He is quite well read, and in this book, pulled many of the archtypal roots from old epic poetry and mythos - all wrapped into one story, and drawing powerfully on the themes of choice and willing sacrifice.

He drew equally from matriarchal myth - which, in the time he was writing, was not typical. He had a mixed group of protagonists, played against the strengths and weaknesses of their personal selves, and their friendships. His use of a plains culture was not typical, then, either. All of these themes have been played over since - but never mixed together, woven into one story like this. The number of mythological venues - if a reader knows what they are looking at - are staggering.

The trilogy gains strength with each volume. In particular, where he takes the 'dark' side. In the traditional vein, I have always felt this work deserves classic status.

Few writers in the fantasy field have such a depth of knowledge, and appreciation for, the tap roots that have given rise to our genre.

[[deleted user]]

I hate cliffhanger endings. I just do. They annoy the hell out of me something fierce.

That said, I still read the entire trilogy and enjoyed it immensely.

Not my favorite works by Kay, but still worthwhile.

[Snail in Danger (Sid)]

I just re-read the trilogy. I have to admit, it doesn't affect me the same way that it did when I was a young teenager still discovering fantasy in the mid-90s ... but I have to admire the syncretism of earthly myth with Kay's original work.

[Janny]

Ala wrote: "I hate cliffhanger endings. I just do. They annoy the hell out of me something fierce.

That said, I still read the entire trilogy and enjoyed it immensely.

Not my favorite works by Kay, but still..."

Oh, I share that passion....sadly, annoyingly, cliffhangers work...I wish they didn't. I stand by the ethic, that a reader deserves the satisfaction of a story that ends with a sense of completion, even in mid series.

It's a cheap trick, used too often.

I'd forgotten that about this book - which really is one continuous story split into 3 volumes.

These books put Kay on my toplist - he's still there, but yes, he's grown tremendously since.

[[deleted user]]

The Lions of al-Rassan put Kay on my top-list. Now it's just a matter of me getting around to the rest of his work.

[Andre]

Ala wrote: "The Lions of al-Rassan put Kay on my top-list. Now it's just a matter of me getting around to the rest of his work."

I really want to read all his work in published order now, starting with finishing Fionavar. I read Tigana a long time ago (like fifteen years) so I don't remember any of it and I own A Song for Arbonne but haven't read it yet. Also read the Sarantine Mosaic several years ago (at least five probably) so I could reread that too when I get to that point.

There's an essay on Kay's website that discusses the progression of his work from Fionavar through the Sarantine Mosaic, and I'd love to revisit that once I've read or reread all the books involved.

[Janny]

Ala wrote: "The Lions of al-Rassan put Kay on my top-list. Now it's just a matter of me getting around to the rest of his work."

Lions of al-Rassan is my favorite Kay work, EVER.

[[deleted user]]

Doh. I'm doing it wrong then. I started with his best, expecting everything else would be as good/better.

[Janny]

Ala wrote: "Doh. I'm doing it wrong then. I started with his best, expecting everything else would be as good/better."

They are all good, and everyone has different favorites. Lions just did it for me - I have read and loved all of Kay's works.

[carol.]

Janny wrote: "He drew equally from matriarchal myth - which, in the time he was writing, was not typical. He had a mixed group of protagonists, played against the strengths and weaknesses of their personal selves, and their friendships. His use of a plains culture was not typical, then, either.

Nicely said, Janny. I think you pinpointed one of the things I enjoyed about the book. It was enjoyable to read relatively unused (at least in what I was reading at the time) mythology. Female characters that were more complex than fantasy stereotypes--evil queens, damsels in distress or harpies--were enjoyable as well.
What I love most about Kay is the poetry of his writing.

[Jodie]

Well I just finished this and can't remember the last time I have felt so annoyed by a book. I have been hovering between giving it 1 and 2 stars, I really didn't enjoy it, if it hadn't been for the book club I would of tossed it aside long ago.

Now, I am actually considering inflicting the next book on myself. Damn I hate endings like this, and why couldn't he have written the whole book like the last part. A book should draw it's readers in, want them to know what is happening next, care about the characters. And by how annoyed I am right now, it looks like Kay has achieved that, but why oh why did he make me suffer through the drudging nothingness of the start, only to make me now wish I had the next one sitting here to pick up.

[Snail in Danger (Sid)]

Interesting, Geordax — I was just reading a blog post by another author where she argued that due to the classical structure of trilogies, a cliffhanger is perfectly proper in book 2 but not in book 1. (Another author as in not Kay, just to be clear.)

[[deleted user]]

Classical structure or not, cliffhanger endings simply suck.

They're nothing more than a gimmick nowadays. One which I loathe with a passion. I gave Kay a pass because I loved his other work. Any other author that does this will get tossed in the bin.

[Gewbook]

I also really enjoyed the way Kay used the bases of mythology. That was one of the things that kept me going. I almost stopped when Paul finally died on the Summer Tree. It felt like an ending to me and I had gotten involved in the Rachel/Paul/Kevin story, but not much else was working for me. I'm really glad I pushed on to the Children of Ivor section because that made the book for me. I loved that part and it propelled me through to the end. But, even with the cliffhanger ending, I want to know where they went and what happens when they get there, but I'm not dying to know. There are other books I want to read more. And that's good, because my library has books 1 and 3, but not book 2. What's up with that?

[Snail in Danger (Sid)]

Gewbook - at a guess, someone lost or stole the book, or it was too damaged to keep in the collection, and was never replaced.

Your post also reminds me that maybe we should have a mythology thread for this book. Except it would feel a little incomplete, because so much of the Earth mythology comes through in the later books.

[Andre]

Snail in Danger (Sid) wrote: "Your post also reminds me that maybe we should have a mythology thread for this book. Except it would feel a little incomplete, because so much of the Earth mythology comes through in the later books. "

It really is one book split into three parts. The decision to split the story at a cliffhanger is a bit unfortunate, but after reading further, I'm not really sure where else they could have split it. Thematically, there are elements right at the beginning of book 2 that needed to be there (without spoiling too much, this would include another encounter with Galadon, among other things).

So much of everything comes through in the later books. Elements that appear briefly in the first book reappear and are echoed and magnified until they are brought together powerfully at the conclusion of the work. It's really not sufficient to read only the first book, I think, and those who get bored with the first probably do themselves a disservice by not continuing on. It does start a bit slow, but it builds.

My opinion only, of course.

[Janny]

Andre wrote: "Snail in Danger (Sid) wrote: "Your post also reminds me that maybe we should have a mythology thread for this book. Except it would feel a little incomplete, because so much of the Earth mythology ..."

I concur, past question - the real strength of this trilogy builds as it goes. It's not a fair take until finished. Many series 'tail off' after a strong beginning - this one arcs upward to a strong finale.

[Amy]

I agree with both Janny and Andre. And fortunately for me, I had books 2 and 3 on my shelves so I was able to keep right on going. It was well worth it.

[Jon]

Amy wrote: "I agree with both Janny and Andre. And fortunately for me, I had books 2 and 3 on my shelves so I was able to keep right on going. It was well worth it."

I also have the second and third books waiting on my shelf ... I just won't get to them any time soon. :(

[Veronika KaoruSaionji]

I wanted read whole trilogy from beginning, and after maybe first half of book I started to like this story (mainly because Paul and Kimberly) and I was sure for rading whole series.
I don´t like ending, but I started immediately reading of second book. And after it I finaly understand the ending of first book - that Jennifer was realy raped by dark god and Kimberly take after that all her friends with Jenny to our world. If I wouldn´t read it, I would´n understand it. Not good for readers. But, maybe good for continuation reading whole series. :o)