Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson

Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson

Goodreads: Strands of Bronze and Gold

Series: Strands of Bronze and Gold #1

Source: Purchased

Published: 2013

Summary: After the death of her father, seventeen-year-old Sophia Petheram goes to live with her godfather, a mysterious man who keeps to himself in his abbey in Mississippi.  Initially, Sophia delights in the fantastic world he has created—one where she lives surrounded by beauty, art, and luxury, and can break all the social taboos.  Her godfather, however, keeps her isolated and soon Sophia begins to fear both his violent temper and the veil that lies over his past.  The discovery of his four former wives, all with hair as red as her own, sets into motion a series of events that may leave her a prisoner in the abbey forever.

Review: Nickerson makes the Bluebeard fairy tale her own, setting it in antebellum Mississippi where she can not only play with the details of the original story but also reimagine them in the context of a society preoccupied with class codes and the ideal of the proper woman.  Much of the allure surrounding Sophia’s godfather lies in his encouragement for her to break the social taboos, to dress more exotically, to lower her inhibitions.  In succumbing to his manipulations, Sophia starts to lose both her sense of morality and her sense of self.  Her journey back to find her moral center makes this book stand out from other contemporary retellings that often focus on the darkness of fairy tales, but sometimes forget to let in the light.

Of course, setting forth a moral in any tale proves tricky ground.  In Bronze and Gold, Nickerson does not avoid the common trap of assigning modern sensibilities and philosophies to her protagonist.  Thus, Sophia (somewhat suddenly) shows herself an ardent abolitionist once she steps foot on her godfather’s plantation.  While authors understandably want readers to relate to their protagonists, imposing contemporary beliefs onto historical characters does a disservice to both the past and to readers.  A more provocative and believable story might have shown a sheltered girl who never thought much of slavery (Sophia has enough naivety and even foolishness to find herself lured into Bluebeard’s trap, so it is not such a stretch to imagine she never thought about the hot button issues of her day) until she witnesses it.  Watching Sophia learn to appreciate the humanity of those around her would have been great development for her.  Instead, readers are treated to a girl who randomly spouts off offers to serve on the Underground Railroad to anyone who seems like they might be abolitionists--her only motivation apparently being that doing so will make her a superior moral force in the eyes of the readers.  Perhaps wisely, none of the characters takes up her offer.  (She is, after all, essentially a prisoner in the house of a man who owns slaves.  One wonders what exactly Sophia plans to do for the Underground Railroad.)

Sophia's actions, in fact, often seem written solely because they fit the needs of the plot and not because they form an integral part of her character.  None of the other characters, barring perhaps her godfather, who exudes a mixture of sensuality and danger that should have had the girl running for the door as soon as she arrived, ever rise about mere stock types.  The standard rebellious and handsome youth makes an appearance, as does his pretty and more cautious lover.  The old and wise conductor on the Underground Railroad, the handsome and bookish minister, the leering groom—they are all included.  Arguably, the status of the book as a retold fairy tale might allow for or even call for flat characters, but it still seems odd to focus the story around the premise of the characters’ humanity and then portray them as one-dimensional.

If the characters lack something, however, the atmosphere of the book proves suitably creepy.  Readers will experience the same sense of wonder and danger as Sophia as they explore her godfather’s abbey and his past.  Nickerson has all the ingredients she needs to create an exciting and compelling story.  Perhaps the second in the trilogy will show what she is truly capable of doing. 

Note: The darkness of the plot and some of the themes addressed, such as sexuality, make this book more appropriate for older readers.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain

Goodreads: Quiet

Source: Borrowed

Published: 2012

Review: Cain offers an interesting and informative look at the ways in which America has cultivated what she calls the “Extrovert Ideal”—a belief that the talkative and outgoing possess more intelligence and generate better ideas than those who prefer quiet and solitude.  In response, she argues that introverts have contributed valuable art, literature, and research to the world, all through utilizing their own unique skills.  To support her claims, she offers the results of studies indicating that solitude is requisite for the deep studying needed for success in many fields, that introverts have an edge in university, and more.  Her conclusions will not surprise those introverts aware of their own abilities, but may provide encouragement to those who have been conditioned by well-intentioned family, friends, or even educators to believe that there is something inherently wrong with them for preferring small group settings to large parties or for choosing silence over speech.

Because Quiet tries to address so many issues, however, it often seems to address no audience in particular.  Cain encourages her readers to take away only those parts which pertain to them, so, for example, those introverts who are not shy (the distinction will be welcome to many) need not worry about the chapters pertaining to those who are.  Still, the leaps from sensitivity to shyness to cultural expectations about extroversion and introversion (focused mainly on Asian Americans) make the read a little disjointed.  One topic will just start to prove particularly engrossing when another replaces it.

Despite the seeming disjointedness, however, Quiet remains a valuable resource for many—educators, business leaders, parents, and extroverts seeking to understand the introverts in their lives.  Those introverts who feel judged for not speaking up in class or meetings, or who are tired of seeing their good ideas passed over because they could not outtalk the other members in their groups will have the information they need not only to boost their confidence but also to educate others about the value of their skills.  But perhaps the best advice Quiet offers is that the book should not be read as an affirmation of introversion over extroversion.  Rather, Cain, posits, both extroverts and introverts are needed to make the world work.

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 2 by Naoko Takeuchi

Translated by William Flanagan

Goodreads: Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 2

Series: Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon Renewal Edition #2

Source: Gift

Summary: The search for the Legendary Silver Crystal continues, but Luna fears that Sailor Moon’s feelings for Tuxedo Mask may threaten the mission.  Is Tuxedo Mask friend or foe and why does he want the crystal for himself?

Review: The second volume of the Sailor Moon manga focuses on the developing relationship between Usagi and Mamoru which, I suspect, is a big draw for many fans of the series.  Though the acts are rather episodic and the plot progresses surprisingly quickly, Takeuchi still manages to add a little bit of suspense and tension to the romance.  Any prior knowledge readers may have of how things develop matters not at all; watching Usagi and Mamoru shyly interact and secretly struggle with their attraction makes their relationship seem as if it is happening for the first time.  And, though the volume functions mainly to deliver backstory, Takeuchi does not allow her readers to get comfortable in the knowledge that everything will work out.

Despite the generous amount of backstory, however, I still feel as if I am missing key information about the characters. This, coupled with the expectation that readers will accept various plot devices without question, marred my enjoyment of the story somewhat.  I can't help but wonder why the villains are defeated in the ways they are, where all the magical items keep coming from, and why the guardians feel so threatened by the enemy when they seem to triumph so easily.  The manga consistently threatens my suspension of disbelief.

Even with its flaws, however, Sailor Moon still provides an exciting adventure driven by strong female characters.  The other four scouts may not have played a main role in this installment, but they were still present to support their leader, each in her own unique way.  I look forward to continuing the series and watching all of the scouts develop.  

Spellbinder by Helen Stringer

Goodreads: Spellbinder

Series: Spellbinder #1

Published: 2009

Source: Purchased

Summary: The gift to see ghosts runs in twelve-year-old Belladonna Johnson’s family, but she never appreciated it until the day the ghosts disappear.  Knowing only that she has to find someone called the Spellbinder, Belladonna and her friend Steve will travel to the Other World and face down a formidable foe in the hopes of preventing the spirits of the dead from vanishing forever.

Review: Armed with a unique premise and a sympathetic heroine, Stringer presents an adventure sure to keep readers flipping pages long after bedtime.  A generous helping of cryptic messages and secret explorations keeps the plot moving along while references to myth and history give the story a enough to ground it in the real world.  Stringer makes it seem quite plausible that readers can encounter dragons and their treasure on the corner, or a passageway to another world in an old, forgotten building.

The subject of the story may initially seem macabre, but the book manages to present seeing ghosts as quite a normal event.  Belladonna interacts with them as she would living people, treating them with respect and developing friendships with them.  Her gift proves especially useful as she can interact with her parents, victims of a fatal car crash.  Readers who dislike scary stories (such as myself) or who feel uncomfortable spending time with books that have an unhealthy fascination with death should therefore not fear to pick up Spellbinder.  Talking with ghosts proves simply a springboard for an otherwise not untypical fantasy adventure.

Though readers will recognize elements of standard fantasy plots—an ancient evil awakened, an alchemist with more to him than meets the eye—Stringer adds enough action and mystery to keep the story moving along.  The main characters, Belladonna and Steve, also help as their normality makes them relatable and their intelligence and good humor makes them likeable. 

The other characters, unfortunately, could use a little more originality.  The majority of the book seems populated by women, most of them strong personalities who command respect through their coldness or severity.  For awhile, it seemed as if I were reading about various projections of the same character.  Belladonna proves that females can be strong without trying to be intimidating or without adopting a sarcastic attitude; why don’t more of the adult characters follow her lead?

The lack of diversified femininity was the one flaw that stuck out to while reading.  Otherwise, I found myself completely engrossed by the mystery and magic of Spellbinder.  It ends conclusively enough that I will feel satisfied if I never find the sequel; however, I would like to enter Belladonna’s unique world sometime again.  

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 1 by Naoko Takeuchi

Translated by William Flanagan

Goodreads: Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 1

Series: Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon Renewal Edition #1

Published: 1992

Source: Gift

Summary: Usagi Tsukino lives the life of a normal fourteen-year-old until the day a talking cat named Luna informs her that her true identity is Sailor Moon, a guardian whose mission is to find the Legendary Silver Crystal and the long-lost Moon Princess.  Fighting evil is not easy, however, and Sailor Moon will need to find all the allies she can.

Review: Years ago I watched the anime Sailor Moon and loved it, although now I realize it is sometimes rather cheesy.  Thus, I found myself opening the manga with a sense of nostalgia.  Reading manga is still rather new to me (my first foray into manga was Habemus Papam!), but immediately I found myself transported back into a magical world where girls have the power to save the day--and usually do it in style.

Now that I have the chance the revisit the series, it seems clear to me that the characters are its real strength.  Takeuchi takes care to present each of the sailor scouts as normal girls who have interests, flaws, and talents with which readers can relate.  They portray different types of femininity, but the series never presents one as superior to the other.  Athletic girls, bookish girls, pretty girls, and girls who just like to eat sweets and sleep in--they're all valuable and they all have something to contribute.  Together, they're simply unstoppable.

A really good story needs good presentation, however, and the manga does not disappoint.  It is filled with gorgeous illustrations and I would stop to savor a particularly stunning panel or sometimes flip back just to admire some really great artwork.  The plot is episodic enough that it wants to keep drawing readers through the action (really, I had no idea the anime added so many extra episodes--Sailor Moon meets three of the scouts just in the first volume), so I think it's notable I would sometimes stop.  The translation is sometimes a little funny as characters say things in a more casual or more stilted way than I would have imagined the situation would warrant.  However, it never jarred me out of the story.

I'm not sure the manga has reignited my old love for Sailor Moon, but I'm interested enough that I hope I can continue through the series.  The anime diverges in some places from the manga, so I'm looking forward to discovering the author's original story.

Looking for...A Book on Tolkien

The Company They Keep: C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien as Writers in Community by Diana Pavlac Glyer

Glyer debunks the myth of the solitary writer by demonstrating that the Inklings, a literary group that included Lewis, Tolkien, Charles Williams, Owen Barfield and others, exerted more influence on each other's work than previously thought.  Glyer approaches her argument systematically, first defining types of influence and then demonstrating how members of the Inklings practiced each.  Her work challenges the idea that artists must work in isolation in order to achieve greatness.


J. R. R. Tolkien: Author of the Century by Tom Shippey

Shippey examines the ways in which language shaped Tolkien's Middle-earth and helped Tolkien create a new mythology.  He also explores historical, political, and religious influences on Tolkien's work, focusing in particular on the nature of evil in Tolkien's worldview.  A must-read for any fan of the professor.


The Philosophy of Tolkien by Peter Kreeft

Kreeft explores the ways in which Tolkien's Catholicism provides the philosophical underpinning of Middle-earth through a question-and-answer format.  Each of Kreeft's questions receives a three-fold answer: a quote from one of Tolkien's works exemplifying his philosophy, a quote from Tolkien's letters expanding upon it, and a quote from C. S. Lewis clarifying it.  An easy and accessible book, perfect for lengthy reading or for browsing.

 

Preparing for Tolkien Reading Day

Since 2003, the Tolkien Society has hosted Tolkien Reading Day on March 25 as a way to encourage readers to celebrate, discover, and enjoy (what else?) J. R. R. Tolkien's books. Why March 25?  The Tolkien Society explains that this is the date of the Fall of Sauron.  However, as a devout Catholic, Tolkien would have associated this date with the Annunciation, thus making an explicit connection between Mary's Fiat and the downfall of evil.  This year's theme is Tolkien's Landscapes.  So, on Monday, be sure to pick up a book by Tolkien and, if you write a review, feel free to link it in the comments!