Category Archives: Reviews

Fantasy, Reviews

The Mysteries of Zillah Harvey

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By Paul Leone

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~“I think there’s loads of things that ‘appen in London that don’t make the papers.”

Zillah nodded. She knew that all too well.~

 

When I think of Paul Leone, I think of an author that embodies my concept of creating NEW LEGENDS, A concept that I continuously ‘spam’ all over social media. I don’t exaggerate when I place Leone in the same club as Tolkien or C.S. Lewis, and deservingly so.

But oftentimes, we wrongly assume that great authors will always and undisputedly write great books… which is not the case.

 

PLOT:

The Mysteries of Zillah Harvey revolves around a young lady-Zillah Harvey-who becomes a member of the Savant Club: “the most prestigious gathering place for those who belonged to either London’s occult community or its Bohemian, if not both.” 

After nearly being stabbed to death in a dark alley by none other than Jack The Ripper, Zillah mysteriously gains what seem to be paranormal faculties. It’s thanks to those acquired faculties which allow Zillah to communicate with the dead that she earns a membership to the prestigious paranormal organization the Savant Club, whose members include peculiar characters such as Hazel Payton, Newell Ashwood and Colonel Christie.

Zillah is now licensed to perform seances and make a decent living at that…And here is where I find issues with this story.

 

MAIN CHARACTER/FLAWS:

Zillah, for all intents and purposes, feels like a very shallow and self-absorbed character. She has very promiscuous tendencies (literally sleeping with a man after just 2 hours of having met, sometimes even dating/sleeping with multiple partners); uses her ‘gift’ not so much to help people but to make herself wealthier; shows utter ungratefulness towards Peggy, her landlady, who always caters to her needs and always making sure that she is well fed and cared for.  She doesn’t give us any redeemable features that would make us want to care about her, quite frankly.

THE WORLD:

Where the novel shines is in the reconstruction of 1800s England along with her folklore, legends, myths, and peoples. Leone is very diligent at doing his homework and giving due respect to our beloved European culture which has been in decay as of late.

The way all characters maintain their distinguished accents going from one region to another is also a positive point I need to highlight.

 

STRUCTURE:

The novel is a group of short stories or ‘cases’ that Zillah finds herself at the center of, but they are all part of one long thread all pointing at Zillah and the mystery surrounding her newly acquired psychic powers.

 

CONCLUSION:

Overall, this is a good novel worth reading, if for nothing besides the accuracy of the myths and folklore surrounding the British island. As mentioned before, I found the MC shallow and at times, and quite insufferable due to her promiscuous tendencies and overall selfish behavior. But I am being overly harsh here because I know what Leone is capable of writing. 

*To the author’s credit, this was an earlier work of his, so I am sure he went through personal growth and development as a writer, which would be quite understandable indeed.

🦀

Adventure, Reviews, TRENDS DIE OUT; LEGENDS LIVE ON

AYESHA: The Return of SHE by H. R. Haggard

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TRENDS DIE OUT/LEGENDS LIVE ON

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“She was all loveliness in one shape; She was like the dawn upon the snows; She was like the evening star above the mountains; She was like the first flower of the spring.”

 

Welcome to our next installment of TRENDS DIE OUT/LEGENDS LIVE ON. As a reminder, this is a series of reviews in relation to what I believe to be legendary classics of fiction literature that are a must-read. They changed my life and keep doing so to this day, in many respects.

 

If you missed our review of SHE (link) I’d strongly suggest you go back and check it out. If not, welcome to Volume 2 of what I am convinced it is the best adventure/exploration/new world fiction literature ever written.

INDIANA WHO?:

Ayesha was written by Haggard following the success of She. That first book came out during a time when England in particular was enamored with tales of exploring new worlds and adventures into exotic and strange lands. In that sense, She was the first of its genre, and frankly it still remains the best of all.

So enthralling is Book 1 that there is no way we could read it and not feel compelled to dive headfirst into Book 2! And so here we are, once again entering the ‘lost world’ of Haggard; anticipating more adventures, more legends…more SHE!

 

PLOT:

Again, this is an account as told by our original main character Horace Holly. After surviving his adventures with Leo in Central Africa, and making it back to England more or less in one piece, reintegrating into ordinary life was not easy for either of them. Both experience some sort of PTSD related to having witnessed and interacted with Ayesha, “for what mortal mind can be touched by an immortal mind and be left unscathed?”.

Leo even contemplates suicide but Holly rebukes him out of love. Until one night Leo has a dream in which Ayesha appears to him and seems to direct him to a place where her reincarnated being is awaiting them. After convincing Uncle Holly, they set for Central Asia, based solely on Leo’s dream! Yes, this is a desperate mission, and deep inside both of them know that it will certainly mean their end!

 

TRAVEL/MYSTERY:

Where Haggard’s narrative really shines is in the description of these long and dangerous explorative trips to exotic and mysterious lands. Holly and Leo have to fight against hunger, against weather conditions, against the harshness of these lands where the biggest enemy becomes the sheer solitude they inflict on the psyche. Witness their staying at a monastery of monks forgotten by civilization; marvel at the sheer magnitude of the mountains covered in unforgiving snow; gasp at the threat of random snow avalanches, deadlier than boulders of stone:

“The screaming of the blast caused by the compression of the air, the dull, continuous thudding of the fall of millions of tons of snow as they rushed through space and ended their journey in the gulf.” (Chapter 4)

 

FACING ‘THE IMMORTAL ONE’:

As Holly recounts:

“It was like the fragment of a nightmare preserved by the awakened senses in all its mad, meaningless reality.

We have seen the very Light of Life roll by in majesty; we have been the guests of an Immortal…”

 

The moment of interaction between our main characters and Ayesha represents the culmination of all the trials and tribulations…with a shocking twist at the end!

 

CLOSING REMARKS:

Ayesha as a book was not quite as successful as Book 1, but in terms of quality this doesn’t feel like a modern sequel, the result of  greedy minds trying to capitalize on the success of the previous work. In fact I’d dare say that some of the dynamics in Book 2 depart a big deal from Book 1 while preserving the essence that made Book 1 so special.

I encourage you all to read this LEGEND yourself. Pick up Book 1 and 2 and let us know what you think in the comments below!

🦀

 

Action, Fantasy, Reviews

The Eagle and The Dove – a Review

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From The Girl with the Fire in Her Hair by Robert Victor Mills

Part 5 of a 6-Part Series by

“You have not retched for the metal of hot blood in your mouth, nor revolted at the mud and gore brimming your boots to the knee, nor been deafened with the mewling of new-murdered men while hedged in the thickest press!”

 

The opening premises of this 5th tale included in The Girl with the Fire in Her Hair are quite intriguing as we read on…

 

PLOT:

Rugosto, Ealdorman of Oltisa finds himself challenged to a duel by Baron Wulfiolo over a matter of honor. Since he cannot walk due to war injuries, and cannot stand , the law allows him to pick a champion to fight on his behalf. Things get complicated since that same law requires the chosen champion to be a family member. Rugosto only has one daughter, just barely 18 years old and no combat skills: Celesta.

But what Celesta lacks in physical prowess she makes up for with courage and intelligence. She seeks the help of Royhe and her power of conviction is here in full display: 

“Most mortal of weapons, a woman’s tears, to the heart of a true man. For against that soft stiletto of feminine woe can be raised no shield, nor any armour ward the chivalrous breast from the plunge of so delicate a blade.”

 

As it goes, Celesta pleads with Royhe to teach her sword fighting, since she is the only next of kin who can fight for Rugosto, her father. Naturally Royhe thinks this madness, considering that she is but a small young lady with no experience with the sword, whereas the Baron is a seasoned soldier but most importantly, a man with twice her size and strength!

ASTROPHO AGAIN:

So if you guess that Astropho will be the one to save the day yet again, you guessed right! But what I loved about this is how the author is able to create a sense of anticipation regarding how the cunning bard will be able to solve this conundrum. To let young Celeste fight would surely mean her death, yet by law only a relative could fight for the challenger, if the latter is injured or disabled.

CLOSING REMARKS:

This is thus far one of my favorite tales in the book. The specific circumstances in which our heroes find themselves require more than brawn to get resolved. Particularly considering that neither Rohye nor Astropho are willing to break the law in order to help Rugosto and Celeste. The end result was brilliant and left me smiling. 

This is how you write NEW LEGENDS!

🦀

 

Reviews, Steampunk

Bound for the Styx by Bonsart Bokel

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A Review by

~She couldn’t help but sob. There were bleeding cuts all over her hands, and the dodo’s beak had scratched her cheeks. Her dress was all dirty and covered in dust. Her pretty hat was all bent and riddled with peck marks. As tears started to flow, she pulled Anwin from her pouch.~

 

I’ve gotta be honest, when I was first introduced to Igraine Mortuba in Book 1 (A Wrench in The Machine) I was not completely  sold on her character. She  came off as an ungrateful little brat, especially toward Ol’ Barrow, who saved her life on more than one occasion. But in Book 2 her charm and spontaneity are quickly winning me over. This is one of the two main reasons why I think Bound for The Styx is yet another solid publication by author/youtuber Bonsart Bokel.

PLOT:

Even if you haven’t read Book 1, Book 2 can be followed without any previous knowledge of events. Basically it’s an account of Igraine’s journey to Arkology as told by Igraine herself to former inspector and now RFA member Mr. Ol’ Barrow.

Due to needing new implants to survive the ongoing ‘decay’ the body goes through when traveling over multiverses, the Association of Ishtar sends Igraine to Arkology, on Elysium, where she can get this unique procedure done. Little does she know that in exchange, she will have to undertake a mission on behalf of the Founder, who rules Arkology. Joined by a group of resourceful scavs (Cheff, Cutter, Breach, Cabby, and Neir), Igraine has no choice but to delay her return home and get involved in the local affairs of Arkology.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND/IGRAINE IN ARKOLOGY:

What I really like about this story is that I see a parallel with classic childrens’ tale Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, albeit in a steampunk setting. Our Igraine is a seemingly timid yet resourceful young girl thrown into a world where nothing seems to function as in her own world, and where the ‘unconventional’ becomes the norm. 

And just like the classic Lewis Carroll children’s tale, Bound for the Styx could have had all the potential to become a new and original classic for all ages (more on that later). Igraine’s French accent, with her “Oui” and “Non” exclamations and gentle demeanor really serve as the finishing touches on a character that both children and adults could easily feel drawn to.

PACE:

The pace feels at times a little slow but if you consider what Bokel is trying to create here, it is quite understandable. This is not just about telling one story but rather about adding another piece to the world of multiverses of the Association of Ishtar. 

 

ARKOLOGY:

After reading about Elysium in Bokel’s graphic novel-Journey to Elysium-we finally find out what this body revolving around the moon is all about. Elysium is basically this massive satellite structure with life and civilization within it. Its capital is Arkology, and this is where Igraine finds herself right now. The place is like the Wild West, where only the strong survive, and where different social classes fight in the struggle for dominance.

CLOSING REMARKS:

The only negative remark has to do with some of the sexual content. I was really hoping that the author would have kept this rated PG all the way, but by adding those sexually-charged scenes, this automatically turns into a 14-and-over rated book. I understand that it’s the author’s personal choice, but like I said before many times, what we need today is more content that is appropriate for all ages while getting both children and adults fired up for more. 

Think about Lord of the Rings; 3 books, not one single sex scene or even profanity, and yet people of all ages love it today as much as ever. You can still have love stories develop, that is not what I’m inferring at all. Yet no current author has been able to pull that off, and that’s exactly the type of content we so dearly need, or at least that I personally hope to see.

Other than that, the story is fun, the world building is as always compelling, and the characters all memorable!

🦀

Action, Fantasy, Reviews

ISLANDS OF LOAR: Rebellion

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by Ernie Laurence, Jr.

Reviewed by

“What we do after, where we go from here when we have won, that is going to depend more on folks like you than we blowhards up at the Hall.  You will all have to dig deep and find the will to rebuild.  To become stronger.”

 

If you’re curious to know why I decided to go on and review book 3 of this series, the answer is simple: why not?

This entire world created by Laurence is exactly what readers of all ages deserve at this time. With modern media entertainment becoming more ‘progressive’ and deranged, it is refreshing to find content that the whole family can enjoy together again. Disney, Netflix, and the other big networks at this point no longer care about creativity and good content, so if you finally got the memo and realized that it’s now the time to seek good, wholesome storytelling elsewhere, there is no better place to start than at the Islands of Loar!

If you’ve missed our previous two reviews go back and check them out:

Sundered

Causality

If you haven’t, join us on this third ride into ‘fantasy done the right way’!

PLOT/CHARACTERS: 

In Book 2, we saw how Doogan took charge of the island of Bethairia, and along with bard/ best friend Serah and the other characters we got to know throughout Books 1 and 2, created an organization called the Restorationist League. The League includes some of the most powerful and resilient beings, from elves, to dwarves, to fairies, and men and women skilled in the arts of battle, hunting, and magic. It is without saying that this will obviously cause tension with the Council, led by Doogan’s father, Lord Riftwind. A conflict of interests will certainly be inevitable over the issue of the bards.

Remember that Islands of Loar is known for featuring a multitude of characters moving about many different stages where the action takes place. It’s important that the reader keeps tabs and stays FOCUSED! I counted in total approximately 7 stages with 7 different groups of characters. But there might be more! It can be challenging but it is also fun and much rewarding! This is not Disney’s The Acolyte, after all.

THIS IS WAR:

As Loar seems to undergo civil turmoil, with persecution of the bards by the Council of Wind, and the League standing up for their rights, an alien invasion of the Xenotaur is unfolding. The Xenotaur, previously believed to be just another form of Aberration, turn out to be aliens, and their sheer numbers alone prove to make them an unstoppable force.

Unlike in the previous books where we’ve seen scattered fights here and there with the Xenotaur invaders, in book 3 things escalate to full-blown war. Feats of bravery and courage are in full display, and all the forces of Loar are tested to their limits.

The battle scenes are massive. The loss of lives, a cold harsh reality of war.

 

NOBODY’S SAFE:

Unlike other franchises of this kind, where powerful beings use both super strength and magic to fight their battles, here in Loar death is real and death is blind. I think frankly that’s a great way to keep the reader invested. No matter how powerful or central a character may seem, he/she could be the next victim to be claimed by the ongoing conflict. This is something that instills an added sense of humanity to these super-beings. We hold our breath every time danger is upon them because frankly the author has already shown us that nobody is safe indeed!

MAGIC MEETS HIGH-TECH:

We were already introduced to the high-tech flying ship and golem of Optrinicus in Book 2, but in Book 3 these really take center stage as I was hoping and expecting. This creates a very exciting universe where you have both the power of magic at display but also the advanced technology applied to ships, space suits, and other cool gadgets. The enemy is powerful and every weapon available must be used to deter them!

 

CLOSING REMARKS:

I think perhaps at a subconscious level I decided to read and review Book 3 in face of the grim reality of the current fantasy genre content that mainstream media is promoting. With abominations like Prime’s Rings of Power or Disney’s Star Wars, Islands of Loar is a strong reminder that it’s time to accept the idea that good content does exist, we just gotta know where to look to find it. Laurence is an extremely smart individual and understands how to create a world that can be easily accessible to audiences of all ages, yet without ultimately presenting a dull product. When was the last time a franchise was able to appeal to both children and adults equally? Maybe The Hobbit comes to mind. But what about new content? Where is the new content that can get dad, mom, son, and daughter equally excited about?

It’s right here. And it’s found on the Islands of Loar!

Adventure, Reviews, TRENDS DIE OUT; LEGENDS LIVE ON

SHE by H. Rider Haggard – a Review

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TRENDS DIE OUT/LEGENDS LIVE ON

Reviewed by

SHE is arguably the best adventure/exploration story ever written…But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. What this really is about is a soul-searching/mind-bending LEGEND disguised as the former. Haggard has set the standards so high that no other book, movie, game, or AI generated content can ever surpass what Haggard has been able to project in the mind of the reader via his written words.

Haggard raised the standards of adventure/mystery narrative to heights that to this day have not been matched, and most likely never will. Haggard redefined what can be done with the genre. I feel spoiled but also humbled, being able to read, study, and review his body of work.

PLOT:

What we read here is the memoir of main character Horace Holly. When Leo Vincey was still a toddler, his biological father (and Holly’s only real friend) reveals a dark secret to Holly just before he dies of a disease he contracted on a trip to Central Africa. As a result, Holly assumes guardianship of Leo (who was 5 at the time) along with his  family wealth and a suitcase for Leo only to open on his 25th birthday.

Without spoiling things too much, the contents of that suitcase will see Holly and Leo travel to a mythological civilization named Kôr, in Central Africa.

Holly’s memoir is an account of that voyage.

 

ADVENTURE/PERILS/HARDSHIP:

This is where Haggard really pushes the envelope of what can be achieved in what we would call the ‘Indiana Jones’ adventure genre. The path to Kôr is dangerous and life-altering. The scene of the storm while they’re at sea (chapter 4) is probably the most gripping scene of its kind. Out of a crew of about 20 only 4 make it to shore. Once they reach land our protagonists will have to deal with the harsh elements of the region, its animal kingdom (witness the most brutal fight between lion and alligator in chapter 5!), and a local tribe of flesh-eaters who adopt the most sadistic ritual called ‘hot-potting’ to kill their victims before they eat them (it seems like the human body dying in fear and pain tastes better to them!)

And this is just the beginning!

FEMALE VILLAIN:

Another bar that Haggard manages to set very high is that of the female villain character. Today’s writers for the most part fail miserably at capturing what should really define a female villain. Here is where we get introduced to Ayesha who is simply known as She or She-who-must-be-obeyed, as the locals call her.

Ayesha is mysterious, evil, scary…But also beautiful, irresistible, wise beyond any mortal, and truthful. Her beauty is so otherworldly that she has to wrap herself in thin white veils. As Holly writes in his memo: “The truth is veiled, because we could no more look upon her glory than we can upon the sun. It would destroy us.”

KÔR:

Haggard is very detailed with the geographical account of this lost nation called Kôr. Located north of the Zambezi river and once a very advanced civilization, it was eventually decimated by a plague. The few who survived fled and eventually funded what we know as Ancient Egypt. All the cities of Kôr were abandoned, including the enormous cave system they had created. Only a few scattered tribes eventually settled in the area but never dared to go near the cities for fear of the ghosts of those who died by the plague. About 400 B.C. Ayesha (who seems to be from the line of Ishmael) moved to the area and made her kingdom out of the caves, whereby she ruled the local tribes through fear and terror ever since.

 

CLOSING REMARKS:

Is this an action/adventure story? Yes and no.

This is a psychological and spiritual masterpiece disguised as an action/adventure book. It pushes the boundaries of how a finite human mind would handle the interaction with a god-like creature of infinite beauty and wisdom. How much could the human psychic take before snapping? Ayesha interacting with Holly and Leo is comparable to trying to pour a gallon of water into a 16-ounce cup. Too much beauty, too much knowledge, too much wisdom. As Holly himself puts it: “No man who once had seen She unveiled, and heard the music of her voice, and drunk in the bitter wisdom of her words, would willingly give up the sight for a whole sea of placid joys.”

This deals harshly with the finite limitations of the human psyche. Today we live in a society where the self is exalted. The worship of the self is probably the most widespread ‘religion’ in the West. I am strong, I am brave, I can accomplish anything! But reality is, man is puny and the human mind has limitations.

 

Before closing, I’ll leave you with this excerpt from Holly’s memoir, and please go read SHE!

 

“Who would so load up his back with memories of lost hours and loves, and of his neighbour’s sorrows that he cannot lessen, and wisdom that brings not consolation?”

Historical, Reviews, TRENDS DIE OUT; LEGENDS LIVE ON

Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc

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By Mark Twain

TRENDS DIE OUT/LEGENDS LIVE ON

Reviewed by

In my humble opinion, this is the second ‘most quotable’ book in existence after the Holy Bible. Written by the author that was nicknamed ‘the father of American literature’-Samuel Langhorne Clemens, aka Mark Twain, this masterpiece has a very special place in my heart for different reasons.

 

ME AND JOAN:

If you’ve followed me on social media for any amount of time, or even if you have randomly bumped into any of my posts, you might have noticed that I often bring up the character of Joan of Arc. That’s because the Maid of Orleans has a very special place in my heart, mind, and soul. I don’t want to get too esoteric but I’ve had Joan appear to me in dreams often or sometimes she will pop into my mind at the most unexpected times. Surely this is the result of the magnitude of impact she has had on my life. I feel a bond and connection that bypass time and space. There is no other character other than Jesus Christ that has influenced me to such an extent. Her life and death move me and inspire me daily.

 

WITCH OR SAINT?

There’s always been a lot of controversy around the image of Joan of Arc. Some revere her as a messenger of God and she is upheld and embraced by Catholicism at large. Others think that she was a witch or at best just a country girl with a mental disorder. Whatever your stand might be in that regard, her character and her story comprise what TRUE LEGENDS are made of.

I’m not Catholic, Mark Twain was not Catholic, yet both of us have been drawn to her character in love, awe, and reverence.

And there’s a reason why many others who are not of French nationality or of the Catholic faith love her and respect her so much. When you get to know the undisputed facts of her life story-including the heinous way in which she was tried, convicted, and executed…how could you not?

PLOT:

The story in Personal Recollections is told from the perspective of Joan of Arc’s paige, Louis de Contes. He was one of the closest people to Joan, from her childhood to her becoming commander-in-chief of the French army. He was witness to her upbringing from an uneducated farm girl in a small town of France to leading her country to freedom. Louis de Contes was always by her side first as a childhood friend, then as her paige. And this is his account of what he witnessed during those years. He recalls these events as an old man looking back, and the emotions are quite palpable through the lines so magnificently written by Mark Twain.

Though some events are fictionalized they don’t depart too far from the essence that was Joan of Arc and her life events. Mark Twain was very clear on not altering the elements that mattered most.

 

The book is structured into three main parts:

 

Part 1: In Domremy

Part 2: In Court and Camp

Part 3: Trial and Martyrdom

 

This is a labor of love and hard work, for it took Mark Twain 12 years of research and writing to bring it to completion.

CHARACTERS:

What makes this story so rich is the fact that not only you have such a magnetic character as Joan herself, but a series of side characters so rich in personality that entire books could be written about them: from the Fairy Tree to her childhood friends; from Joan’s siblings to the people at court and the giant bodyguard known as the Dwarf. These are all rich characters that don’t just stand around to take up space but prove to be of fundamental importance to the plot. Some of them are funny (Paladin, the standard bearer) and some of them are despicable (the king’s counselors). Mark Twain is a master at creating stories within a story.

 

CLOSING REMARKS:

Mark Twain wrote some of the greatest pieces of American literature (The Adventures of Tom Sawyer; Adventure of Huckleberry Finn) and yet even he himself went on record to say that Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc was his best book. And it is!

 

Ask yourself this: why would an acclaimed American writer such as Twain take interest in a French national hero and saint of the Catholic Church? Twain himself grew up in a Southern culture that was openly hostile to Roman Catholicism.

The answer is very simple: Joan of Arc.

Joan of Arc is more than just a national hero to the French or a saint to the Roman Catholic Church. She is everything that is good, wholesome, truthful, godly. But also mysterious, enigmatic, peculiar, at times weird even… and that’s why we LOVE her!

 

“She was truthful when lying was the common speech of men.

She was honest when honesty had become a lost virtue.

She was a keeper of promises when the keeping of a promise was expected of no one.”

 

This shouldn’t be just the next book on your TBR list, my friends. This is the textbook every family should keep next to the Holy Bible. This is the book parents should read to their children. This is the book that you want to have always around to go back and rediscover over and over again. Its wisdom, humor, drama, adventures, and holiness are to be praised till the end of days.

~ Never Forget~

🦀

Action, Fantasy, Reviews

The Giant’s Purse – a Review

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By Robert Victor Mills

Part 3 of a 6-Part Review Series by

~“Have you much experience in the fistic disciplines?” “A little,” said Rhoye, never one for vaunt. 

“Oh,” said Vica, crestfallen. “This may prove short.” “Aye, that it may.”~

 

The third tale in this collection once again finds Rohye accompanied by best friend and poet Astropho. It seems as though this joining of forces has been paying good dividends in the last few tales and the interactions of these two main characters is always fun and engaging.

 

PLOT:

This time our power duo finds itself crossing the river on a boat named the Chrysomal on their way to the city of Altamantia, after Avaya (an Assayer of Khelydos the God of Trade) asked them to deliver a miniature box of engraved rosewood to the High Marshall of the Great Temple of Erishala, from whom they would of course receive a generous recompense.

Other travelers and supporting characters will cross paths with our heroes on the boat, including a champion boxer whose name is well known for being undefeated in the region.

After the big burly fighter seemingly recognizes Astropho and accuses him of ‘stealing his woman’, it is to be expected that a fight will take place to ‘right a wrong’.

What happens next? Pick up a copy of The Girl with the Fire in Her Hair and find out!

THOUGHTS:

I thought overall this was a solid Wandered Lands tale, but I was left with a few questions unanswered. Whether that was intentional of the author I can’t say.

  1. Did Astropho indeed steal the woman of this other man? Even though we know by now that Astropho really ‘admires’ the opposite sex, he never comes off as the immoral type that would aid in adultery, at least not based on his code of ethics we’ve seen on display in the past.
  2. What was in the miniature box they were tasked to deliver? We never find out, which I found kind of odd. This seemed to have great importance and was entrusted to Astropho with the most regard.  Maybe this will be revealed in a later adventure? Or perhaps Mills decided to leave his audience hanging? No idea!

 

CONCLUSIONS:

The Giant’s Purse is another entertaining tale from the Wandered Lands with an awesome fistfight for the ages and exquisite prose that flows delightfully. However, I must add that it left me with a little feeling of dissatisfaction, hindsight. Something felt incomplete or perhaps somewhat ‘rushed’. If this was intentionally done, fine. Not all stories are supposed to offer all the explanations we expect, and perhaps some things are best left to the imagination!

🦀

Reviews

LA RONDE (1950) – a Review

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(Directed by Max Ophuls)

Reviewed by

Coincidentally, our third movie is another gem of cinematography directed by Max Ophuls. The film is based on Arthur Schnitzler’ play Reigen (1897). This time the action takes place in 1900’s Vienna, Austria, where we have a ‘tour guide’ to accompany us through the streets of this fabulous and enchanting city and will introduce us to the most eccentric characters caught up in the most curious of situations!

PLOT:

The story is told by the Master of Ceremonies played by Anton Walbrook, one of my all-time favorite actors. Walbrook serves as a middle man between us (the audience) and the characters by often breaking the fourth wall to explain things or give us useful insights to better understand each and every situation presented to us. He can be seen interacting with the characters as well as with the viewers. As the title (which loosely translates to ‘merry-go-round’) suggests, the story is based on a series of personal encounters and how every action will have a direct reaction. This could have funny repercussions at times but at other times even devastating ones for some parties involved!

SOCIAL ANIMALS:

What makes La Ronde a must-see film is first and foremost the unique plot , exquisite sets, costumes, and superb acting, under the direction of Max Ophuls (see The Earrings of Madame de…review). The movie also takes a close inspection at men and women as social animals, and as such only limited in their debauchery by the social constructs they are tied to. You have the soldier, the prostitute, the maid, the poet, the shopgirl, the count (and his dog!)…all of them part of this societal merry-go-round!

CHARACTERS:

The entire cast is stellar, but two names are worth extra mention: Danielle Darrieux as Emma and of course Anton Walbrook as the Master of Ceremonies. They both bring something special to the screen with their charm, humor, but also a melancholy that only the best of actors could achieve.

CLOSING REMARKS:

If you love humor that is witty yet with a touch of realism that sometimes might tug at our hearts; if you love plot, dialogue, and stellar acting; if you love to be transported in a world that is magic, enchanting, stylish, classy, then hop on the merry-go-round and you too will be thrilled for an unforgettable time!

🦀

Reviews, TRENDS DIE OUT; LEGENDS LIVE ON

Sara was Judith by Julian Hawthorne

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TRENDS DIE OUT/LEGENDS LIVE ON

The Strange Recollections of Martha Klemm: Sara was Judith 

by Julian Hawthorne

~ Reviewed by

Sara was Judith is a novel that many today label as ‘weird pulp’ but I personally don’t like that term because it unfairly limits the range and multifaceted aspects of this novel.

It first appeared in 1920 as part of The Strange Recollections of Martha Klemm written by Julian Hawthorne. Recently, a splendid new edition was released by Cirsova Publishing in collaboration with none other than Wild Stars’ creator Michael Tierney. Shout out to Cirsova and Tierney; we need more of these gems of fiction literature to be brought back to life (pun intended, for those who’ve already read this story!).

THE AUTHOR:

Hawthorne is a very introspective writer and is able to dissect a character’s profile with surgical precision, both from a physical and psychological standpoint. He also applies this overly descriptive style of writing to things, even natural events. The description of an incoming storm in chapter 9 is perhaps one of the highlights of the entire novel. Not only does it represent one of the most crucial moments in the plot but it is also able to transport the reader right into the middle of this incoming thunderstorm in New England with such realistic description of prelude/destruction/aftermath that the memory of it all will certainly linger in the mind long after putting down the book. 

PLOT:

It would be hard to speak of the plot in a way that would aid this review. Not much can be dispelled if you want to experience the full impact of it. Basically this is all narrated from the perspective of Martha Klemm, who tells us about one of her former school friends, Sara, and how strangely fascinating a person she was since childhood. In her adult life she marries and against all odds (read the story for further details) she gives birth to a daughter, Judith. To the big surprise of Martha, the daughter is nothing like her unattractive and ordinary parents. When tragedy strikes and Judith dies in a tragic accident Sara commits suicide by hanging. But then a few hours after being declared officially dead, she wakes up…Only that as time goes on Martha senses that her long-time friend is acting more like her deceased daughter Judith…

 

LOCATIONS:

Events will take the reader from Boston to Long Island, from Paris to London, from Geneva to Dresden. Again, the blend of Hawthorne’s attention to detail combined with his personal experience (he himself had visited those places) really offer a ‘virtual’ roundtrip fair to these captivating locations: visit the most gorgeous XIX century homes and hotels, attend the most prestigious plays in some of the most renowned theaters, and meet some of the most peculiar and fascinating people. THAT alone is worth reading this book!

MYSTERY:

The story slowly raises a series of mysteries before the reader. Who is Sara/Judith really? What’s her real purpose? Why does her persona seem to have such a magnetic effect on men (and women) alike? Is she angel or demon, Martha asks herself?

SUPERNATURAL–THEN AND NOW:

If we read a novel like SWJ and compare it to most current novels that deal somewhat with the ‘supernatural’ we will notice that much has changed. Today it seems as though readers always expect a very direct and graphic approach: demon-possessed characters who speak with guttural voices, climb walls like Spiderman, or can turn their necks a whole 360 degrees! But I ask: does all that create a more suspenseful and compelling story at the end of the day?

Hawthorne adopts a completely different approach; he is subtle and challenges the reader to try and find out who exactly Sara/Judith is. There’s no need to change her voice, or give her red eyes, or fangs. In fact, her sweet charming voice and irresistible beauty are the most frightening of elements in the story: “Kiss me! I bring you all the kingdoms of the earth! Nothing can stand against legion! Tonight was the beginning of our festival. Together, we’ll depopulate the world! Come—” This is mental and spiritual warfare at its highest level! 

CONCLUSION:

Sara Was Judith is a masterpiece in my opinion. I can’t even classify it into a specific genre because there’s too much it unpacks. I’m not sure if Hawthorne was a Christian believer but there are a lot of Biblical references all throughout the story that are accurate and heighten the intrinsic value of this novel. We also have many references to Greek and Roman mythology, all adding layers upon layers to a story that up to this day, still leaves me in awe and wonder!

Legends live on!

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Stay tuned for the next review in our Trends Die Out/Legends Live On series:

SHE by H. R. Haggard