The Book Stacks

Hello and welcome to the final edition of Cover to Cover. Next week we will be moving on to other things. But today, we are here to discuss a book variously known as: The Crime at Black Dudley and The Black Dudley Murder by Margery Allingham. It was originally published in 1929. Margery herself was born May 20, 1904, in London, England. Both of her parents were writers, so it is not too surprising to discover that Margery published her first novel at the age of nineteen.

The Crime at Black Dudley has a very interesting history. As the story goes, Margery Allingham had created what she felt was the perfect detective to write a series around. His name was Dr. George Abbershaw. He was a pathologist, and well known at Scotland Yard. A love interest had been provided for him. He was just what Margery wanted. And then a secondary character, one Albert Campion, up and took over the story. No matter what she did, she could seem to get him relegated back to secondary status. It even turns out to be someone that he knows who helps to save the day in the end. Needless to say, she lost the battle, and Albert Campion became her new hero.

I first encountered the Campion mysteries through the PBS series Mystery. Several of the books were adapted for the small screen for Mystery, and I loved them. Peter Davison did a superb job as Campion. The casting was good all around, actually. I began hunting down everything I could find by Margery Allingham, and I was delighted to discover that I enjoyed the books as much as the films. I’ve re-read many of them several times by now.

Okay, then. What did you think? Let’s get on to the questions.

1. Did you like the book?

Yes, I did, but I love the next three or four in the series better. I’m particularly fond of The Fear Sign (a.k.a. Sweet Danger.) This book is enjoyable for the unfolding of the mystery of Albert Campion as much as anything else.

2. Who was your favorite character?

Campion himself is my favorite. Meggie comes in a close second. I just enjoy Campion’s stock in trade of speaking foolish nonsense. That may have something to do with the fact that it’s also something I do…but I don’t think so. Nope. Couldn’t be. Hey look! Zeppelins!

3. Have you read any of the other Campion books? If so, what did you think of the evolution of his character?

I’ve read several of the others in the series. Campion evolves from a seemingly daft young fellow, into quite the dashing hero. All the way through we are given hints as to who he might actually be, or rather, who his parents are. One notable story, The Fashion in Shrouds, is actually about his sister, and includes a moment when he drops the affable mask and gets angry with people.

4. Do you think that this book should be filmed?

I would be very interested to see them try. I can see why it wasn’t included among the ones shown as a part of Mystery, though. Perhaps a stand alone tv film is the best way to go in this case. I’d be curious to see who they would find to play Dr. Abbershaw.

5. Have you ever had a character try to take over a story that you were writing?

Yes. Not in the same way as was the case in this book, but sometimes they take it into their heads to do things that I never expected them to do. Either that, or they refuse to do what you want them to do. It’s frustrating, but it can also be enlightening, and lead to interesting discoveries. It is a bit of a weird sensation, though. You’re sitting there thinking that you can tell them what to do, as they are your characters, and then they up and do something unexpected.

And that’s it. So tell me. What did you think of the book?

The Crime at Black Dudley, The Black Dudley Murder, Margery Allingham, Albert Campion

Hello, and welcome to this meeting of the Book Stacks Book Club: Cover to Cover. Today we are discussing Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper. This book is the first in the The Dark is Rising sequence. The second book is The Dark Is Rising, which tends to confuse folks. My copy of Over Sea, Under Stone is autographed by Mrs. Cooper, as I had the opportunity to hear her speak back in 2001. She’s quite the interesting speaker. I suppose that you have to be in order to keep a room full of Librarians interested. The thing that stuck with me the most from her lecture was her account of her childhood during World War II. At that time, apparently, it was common for children to have collections of shrapnel, like children today might have a collection of sea shells. As I said, it was an interesting lecture. (It was also just down the street from Powell’s Books in Portland. *grin*)

I first encountered this book, and the rest of the books in the series, in my Mother’s Middle School Library. She was a big fan of the series herself, and if you ask her about it the first thing that she will tell you is that she had to wait for each book to come out. That would place her reading of the series in the 1960s. I agree with her. I love this series. Perfectly normal kids are on holiday with their family and Great Uncle, and the war between light and dark finds them. I suppose that who you adopt into your family can make a difference, yeah? I feel like the book has aged a bit, but I don’t care. It’s still a great fantasy adventure in the land of Arthur.

Well, what did *you* think of the book? As is now customary, I would like to begin the discussion with the following question:

1. Did you like the book?

I love this book. Heck, I love the whole series. The Drew children are believable characters. The war between light and dark is fought without great magical attacks. Instead, there is an adventure with a treasure map and the battle is fought against folks in boats and the incoming tide.

2. Who was your favorite character?

Great-Uncle Merry. Well, I liked Barney for his Arthurian fixation, but there is just something about Great-Uncle Merry. Perhaps it has something to do with his identity that Barney realizes at the end. Okay, it actually has a lot to do with things that happen later in the series, but I’m not going to get into that right now. My pick is Merry Lyon.

3. Do you think that they should adapt this book for film?

Well, someone was filmed reading it back in 1969 as part of a series called Jackanory on the BBC, but that’s not the same thing. Yes, I think that they should film this book, but it should be filmed by the BBC on location in Cornwall. I don’t really see this as a big-budget blockbuster. This is more like some of the things that were filmed for Big Blue Marble when I was wee. It would probably air on CBBC and I would never get to see it.

4. What did you think of the Arthurian overtones?

Like Barney, I am always a fan of anything Arthurian. I’ve read an entire book on the stories surrounding the Holy Grail (and I hope to make it back to Vacaville some time soon so that I can retrieve my book from the friend who still has it.) The Arthurian bits in the story make me very happy. If you read the rest of the series you will discover exactly why. Right now, all I can say is that King Elvis and The Alien Space Ducks are involved.

5. Does this book make you want to visit Cornwall?

Yes. Seriously. Ever since I read this book for the first time twenty years ago I’ve wanted to go and see Cornwall for myself. I’m pretty sure that this book is the reason that Cornwall ended up on my dream itinerary for a two week vacation in the UK. Anyway, who wouldn’t want to visit Logres?

Okay, it’s your turn. What did you think?
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The book which we will be discussing next time is The Black Dudley Murder (a.k.a. The Crime at Black Dudley) by Margery Allingham. It’s the first Albert Campion mystery. We will be discussing it on September 7, 2007. Please join us for the discussion. (Oh, and I am always accepting suggestions for future selections for Cover to Cover, so feel free to comment your suggestion now. Just remember that if I choose your book you will be expected to participate.)

Cover to Cover, Over Sea, Under Stone, Susan Cooper, The Black Dudley Murder, The Crime at Black Dudley, Margery Allingham

Hello, and welcome to this meeting of the Book Stacks Book Club: Cover to Cover. Today we are discussing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling. I’ve given you folks three weeks to get through this tome. Did you make it? I actually had finished the book by the Sunday after it came out. It only took me that long because I had other things to do around the house. I haven’t inhaled a book like that in a while. It…er…smelled good.

I’m sure that by now you know that this book is the last of a seven book series. Do not despair, however! The word on the street is that Ms. Rowling is planning to write a Harry Potter Encyclopedia, as she has all sorts of notes that did not make it into the series. (No, she will not be starting tomorrow. She’d like to spend a little time with her family I should think. Shocking fact though that may be.)

It’s been a long and wild ride since Harry first woke up in his cupboard in book 1. Characters have grown up, some have passed on, and the world has slowly become a darker place. Harry and his friends don’t even go back to school this year.

Okay. Spoiler alert. Proceed at your own risk.

Well, what did *you* think of the book? As is now customary, I would like to begin the discussion with the following question:

1. Did you like the book?

I loved the book. I loved the fact that Snape has been in love with Lily all of this time. I think that the film will cut the long tent travels short. The battle near the end was glorious. Everyone pouring into the room of requirement to join in the fight. Kreacher leading the House Elves into battle. Harry choosing to die for his friends. Neville showing himself to be a true Gryffindor.

I want to go back and re-read the whole series now.

2. Who was your favorite character apart from Harry?

Neville. I’ve been waiting for him to show his true colors this whole time. Apparently all it took was for he, Ginnie, and Luna to be left in charge of the D.A. Wow! Go Neville! (and Neville’s Grandmother.)

3. What part of the book do you want to appear in the film exactly as written?

I must have the scene with Neville facing Voldemort. In pulling the sword out of the burning hat and facing his opponent, Neville shows himself to be a true Gryffindor.

4. Do you see any influences in this book? (from other books, etc.)

Well…the part where Harry goes off to die is a bit…messianic. I’m sure that The Lord of the Rings was in there somewhere, but only because it seems to appear in nearly everything these days.

5. What, if anything, surprised you about this book?

The most surprising thing for me occurred near the very beginning of the book. Dudley Dursley actually had a civil conversation with Harry. He thanked Harry for saving his life and said that he didn’t think that Harry was a waste of space. Not that Vernon and Petunia agreed with him. And that made it all the more surprising. Dudley was thinking for himself. Good show Big D!

Okay, it’s your turn. What did you think?
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The book which we will be discussing next time is Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper. It’s book one in the Dark is Rising series. The film of book 2 is coming out soon, so let’s get prepared. We will be discussing it on August 24, 2007. Please join us for the discussion. (Oh, and I am always accepting suggestions for future selections for Cover to Cover, so feel free to comment your suggestion now. Just remember that if I choose your book you will be expected to participate.)

Cover to Cover, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, J. K. Rowling, Over Sea, Under Stone, Susan Cooper, Dark is Rising

Hello, and welcome to this meeting of the Book Stacks Book Club: Cover to Cover. Today we are discussing Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters. If you were impressed by the level of historical detail that the author included in this story, you may be interested to know that Elizabeth Peters is really Barbara Mertz. You will also likely be unsurprised to discover that Mrs. Mertz has a Ph.D. in Egyptology. Crocodile on the Sandbank is the first book in the Amelia Peabody mystery series which is now 18 books long. So, if you really enjoyed this adventure, you have a few more books to keep you off the streets and out of the saloons.

At this point, I’m not really sure when I read this book for the first time. I do know that I’ve probably read it twenty or so times by now, though. I even bought the MP3 version from Audible. If you like audio books, this is one that I would actually recommend for purchase. It’s not the sort of story one reads only once, and never comes back to. Though originally targeted at the adult mystery market, this book is appropriate for the teen mystery fan. If you would like to read a more thorough review of this book, go here

In the meantime, what did *you* think of the book? Please comment and let me know.

1. Did you like the book?

I love this book. It contains several different genres in one less than 300 page book. It’s not just a mystery. It’s more of a Mystery/Historical/Romance. The characters are all interesting and, in a couple of cases, gifted with very complex personalities.

2. Do you have a favorite character?

Amelia Peabody herself is my favorite character in this story. She is just so self-possessed and decisive…even when she could do with a bit more thought on a topic first. It’s interesting to see the effect that associating with Evelyn has on her. Although Amelia believes that she is helping out Evelyn, she finds that Evelyn is aiding her as well. Thank goodness they found each other. This trip to Egypt becomes a turning point for Amelia in more ways than one in the end.

3. Should they make a film out of this book?

Please? I would *adore* seeing a well done episode of Mystery made from this book. Casting the film might prove to be a bit difficult, but it would be worth the effort. Can you imagine it? They could film on location and everything. *Sigh*

4. Which aspect of this book did you enjoy the most? (The Romance? The Mystery? The History?)

All of the strands of this story are so interwoven that it is really difficult to say, and my opinion tends to change from reading to reading. During this last journey through the book though, I really gravitated to the Romance aspect. Well, that and it made me want to find my books on hieroglyphics.

5. Did the book make you want to learn more about Egyptology?

Most assuredly. I need to finish reading Temples, Tombs, and Hieroglyphs, now that I come to think of it. After reading this book for the first time I actually went to the British Museum. Sadly, the mummy exhibit was being worked on at the time. I *did* get to see the Rosetta Stone up close, though.

Okay, it’s your turn. What did you think?

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The book which we will be discussing next time is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling. It’s finally out, and we are going to be discussing it on August 10, 2007. I hope that gives you enough time to finish it so that you can join us. (Oh, and I am always accepting suggestions for future selections for Cover to Cover, so feel free to comment your suggestion now. Just remember that if I choose your book you will be expected to participate.)

Book Club, Cover to Cover, Crocodile on the Sandbank, Elizabeth Peters, Barbara Mertz, Temples, Tombs, and Hieroglyphs, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, J. K. Rowling

Hello, and welcome to this meeting of the Book Stacks Book Club: Cover to Cover. Today we are discussing Sabriel by Garth Nix. Sabriel is a dark fantasy targeted towards the teen audience, and is actually the beginning of a series which continues in Lirael, Abhorsen, and Across the Wall. Just for your information, Sabriel can stand on its own, but once you reach Lirael make sure that a copy of Abhorsen is close to hand. Trust me on this.

I first read Sabriel a few years ago, back before Abhorsen was available. I inhaled it and reached for the next book. Yes, I enjoyed it that much. I’m sure that someone out there will disagree with me, but I really feel that some of this story is strikingly original. Just about every book that you run across these days seems to be a bit derivative of something else, and I really didn’t get that feeling from Sabriel. By the way, if you get a chance, be sure to listen to the audio version of this book, as it is read by Tim Curry. He somehow manages to come up with a multitude of believable voices both male and female and in a variety of ages.

Well, what did *you* think of the book? As is now customary, I would like to begin the discussion with the following question:

1. Did you like the book?

I love this book, and I have read it a couple of times by now. I actually own the audio book version. One of the things that always grabs me about this book is Garth Nix’s use of language. His descriptive skill is nothing short of amazing. I always think, “Now, if only *I* could describe things that well.” Sabriel herself is a very strong female character who accepts her responsibilities even when she would rather be doing something else. This is not the sort of book to read if you are searching for a light bit of brain candy. This is a dark fantasy/adventure story that has you rooting for the main characters even when things seem impossibly dire.

2. Did you have a favorite character?

Sabriel is my favorite character, but I am also very fond of Touchstone and Mogget. Sabriel steps out into a world that she knows even less about than she thinks she does (initially anyway) because it is something that she has to do. Does she hide away, even when she has the opportunity to do so? Nope. She just steps out there and does what she has to, ignoring her fear and uncertainty.

3. Do you think that they could make Sabriel into a film?

No. Seriously. Too much of the story would be lost if this book was translated into film. It would end up looking like a horror flick. This is just one book that they should leave alone.

4. Where do you think that you would fit in in the Old Kingdom? Or are you destined for Ancelstierre?

Charter Mage, no doubt about it. Preferably one who works in the Clayr’s great library, but you don’t learn about that until later in the series…otherwise you’d know that King Elvis and the Alien Space Ducks work there. Yeah. Anyway, I like the way that the Great Charter describes everything and also links everything together. To be a part of that and able to describe things yourself to say, create light or Charter Sendings would be very interesting to me.

5. Are you planning on reading more of this series?

I know that I’m just being nosy now, but I’m curious. And yes, I am planning on reading the books again at some point. Well?

Okay, it’s your turn. What did you think?

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The book which we will be discussing next time is Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters. Yes, we are going for a historical mystery this time around. We will be discussing Crocodile on the Sandbank on July 27, 2007. Won’t you join us? (Oh, and I am always accepting suggestions for future selections for Cover to Cover, so feel free to comment your suggestion now. Just remember that if I choose your book you will be expected to participate.)

Cover to Cover, Sabriel, Garth Nix, Crocodile on the Sandbank, Elizabeth Peters

(Look what happens when I pop in to check on things!) Emma over at Treehouse Jukebox was running a comment contest for the month of June. The prize? A book! So, of course I had to enter. Guess what? I won! I can no longer say that I never win anything. Woo Hoo! Wanna know the best part? I won a copy of The New Harry Potter! Guess what book we will be doing for Cover to Cover at some point soon? I’m off to do a happy dance now. I wish all of my US-based readers a Happy 4th of July! And now, back to my vacation.

Treehouse Jukebox, Harry Potter, Cover to Cover

Hello, and welcome to this meeting of the Book Stacks Book Club, Cover to Cover. Today we are discussing The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. This book has been recommended to me several times over the past few months, so I finally decided to give it a try. I really enjoyed its status as a Sci Fi Mystery, and it threw in enough elements of a thriller to keep me reading (even when I was supposed to be doing something else.) It’s a good thing that this is book one in a series, because otherwise I’d have to pout. I want more, darn it! Well, what did you think? As is becoming customary, I would like to begin the discussion with the following question:

1. Did you like the book?
Oh, yes. Definitely. Thursday Next is a strong, resourceful female character. The plot was interesting in a you-can’t-put-the-book-down sort of way. And I loved all of the literary references. (Shakespeare is a big favorite of mine, just so you know.) The names that Mr. Fforde chose for his characters were just an added bonus.

2. Did you have a favorite character?
For once, my favorite character was actually the main character. Thursday Next was just so well written. She had a history and quirks all her own. As I said in the answer to my first question, she’s a strong female character who is also likable and interesting. Joss Whedon would be proud.

3. Do you think that they could make The Eyre Affair into a film?
Well, they could try. I mean, they’ve made all kinds of things into films at this point. They would have to make a special effort to get the details right, though. I would particularly like to see what they would do with Thursday’s car. Before you ask, no there is no word on a film for this book, yet. I just like to speculate.

4. Do you think that Shakespeare wrote those plays?
Yes. Every new theory about how this “uneducated” man couldn’t have written those plays just makes me laugh. I’d launch into my whole spiel right here, but I would doubtless bore you all, and my friend Eideann does a better job with it anyway. Just for fun though, my favorite line from Shakespeare is from Romeo and Juliet: “With love’s light wings did I o’erperch these walls, for stony limits cannot hold love out;”

5. What level of SpecOps would you work for?
SO-27 for me, thanks. I’m thinking that LiteraTec is the best place for me. Big surprise, I know. Now…I wouldn’t mind a spot in the ChronoGuard if they were hiring, but we already knew about my thing for time travel.

Okay, it’s your turn. What did you think?

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The book which we will be discussing next time is Sabriel by Garth Nix. This is a personal favorite, and I am interested to see what you folks think of this dark fantasy. We will be discussing Sabriel on July 13, 2007. (Yes, that is three weeks away. I’m going to be on vacation on the 6th, so you have an extra week to get the reading done.) Won’t you join us?

The Eyre Affair, Jasper Fforde

I know that you’re asking yourself: King Elvis and the Alien Space Ducks?!? What do they have to do with books? Well, let me tell you a wee story, and all will become clear. Well, mostly.

Once upon a time, I was a Young Adult Librarian in Vacaville, California. During my five and a half year tenure, I designed, helped with, and ran many different kinds of library programs. One of these programs was the Teen Book Club. We read our way through many different books over the years (mostly Fantasy, though, because frankly we liked Fantasy.) Now, after the Teen Book Club had been going on for a while we realized that we had a little problem. Our members were incredibly busy folks. Sometimes they couldn’t quite make it all of the way through the book before it was time for the Book Club meeting to begin. And sometimes those folks didn’t want the ending spoiled for them. I mean, they still wanted to come to Book Club to talk about the parts of the book that they had read, eat cookies, and socialize. What were we to do?

Well, one night we began to invent crazy endings for the books that they had obviously missed by not finishing in time. I believe that it was Mike who originally suggested that Elvis appeared just in time to save the day. Well, over time Elvis became King Elvis. (Because Elvis is King, you know?) Not long afterwards, Elvis acquired some helper ducks. Wouldn’t you know it? Those ducks turned out to be aliens! That’s right, Alien Space Ducks! Before long we started discussing where Elvis and his friends could be located in each book we were reading. How did Over Sea, Under Stone end? King Elvis and The Alien Space Ducks swooped in with their space ship and defeated the bad guys, of course! I’m sure that you realize King Elvis and The Alien Space Ducks defeat Voldemort at the end of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The book isn’t even out yet, and I know that.

Last Christmas I gave my folks each one “Alien Space Duck” (Devil Duckies from Archie McPhee were the closest I could get). A couple of months later I left to take a job closer to home, but I will never forget my Teen Book Club folks (I miss you guys!!)…or King Elvis and The Alien Space Ducks.

Now, I hear that our intrepid heroes did not make an appearance at the last Book Club meeting (yes, my spies are everywhere), so I have decided to make sure that they are not forgotten by using them for my book club on The Book Stacks: Cover to Cover. Henceforth, when I do not wish to spoil the ending of a book, or really, just for fun, expect the appearance of King Elvis and his feathered friends during Cover to Cover discussions. Be sure to join us tomorrow for a conversation about The Eyre Affair. See you there!

Vacaville, California, Teen Book Club, Devil Duckies, Archie McPhee, King Elvis, The Alien Space Ducks, The Book Stacks, Cover to Cover, The Eyre Affair

Hello, and welcome to the second meeting of the Book Stacks Book Club, Cover to Cover. Today we are discussing Mars Needs Moms! by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Berkeley Breathed. This book has been labeled controversial by some for its depiction of Motherhood. Check out the SFGate article and the Salon article for more information about this controversy. In the SF Gate article, Mr. Breathed explains where his inspiration for this book came from: “His inspiration for “Mars Needs Moms!” came from a moment when he was coaching his older child at a softball field, and his younger child, who was then 4, wandered off and got very close to the railroad tracks bordering the playground, and he rushed down to grab him.

In that moment, “I imagined him on the tracks and a train coming, and me running across the tracks and pushing the child off while I got smashed,” he says by phone. “And it occurred to me that for the first time in my life, that scenario would have occurred without thinking. I would have knowingly gone to my death to push my kid out of the way of the train. It’s not really until you’re a parent that that notion suddenly springs to mind.” –(SF Gate, 5/9/07)

A strong emotional response to an event generated this book, which seems to be generating other strong emotional responses. What did you think of the book? As is becoming customary, I would like to begin the discussion with the following question:

1. Did you enjoy the book?

Yes! I thought that this book was well-written, well-illustrated, and most entertaining. Milo was a believable kid and the depiction of his relationship with his mother was portrayed quite realistically. My Mum is very fond of broccoli, too, so I can relate. Though I never tried sister-tinting…

2. What did you think of the author’s depiction of motherhood?

Apparently, I’m not feeling very PC today, because I totally disagree with the nay-sayers on this one. Mr. Breathed has crafted a beautiful story. As you might gather from his quote above, he could just as easily have written a story about fathers. I maintain that most loving parents would have done the same thing as Milo’s Mum…if they weren’t too busy freaking out about finding themselves on Mars, that is.

3. This is a picture book, so what did you think of the art?

I have long been a fan of Berkeley Breathed’s cartoons, so you will likely be unsurprised to discover that I liked the art in this book. It’s colorful, full of motion, and very detailed. Simply put, it is entertaining to look at. And, best of all, (for me anyway) Mars actually looks like Mars in the pictures of the Solar System. (Yes, I have a picture of Mars on my wall.)

4. Did you have a favorite character?

I’m going with Milo. He’s the main character that we experience everything through. He even figures out why the Martians have kidnapped his mum, and agrees with their logic…mostly. I’m glad that he finally learns what makes moms so special.

To Sum Up: I enjoyed this book, and I would recommend it for parents especially. (Yes, Mom. You may borrow my book now.)

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And now, the book which we will be discussing next time is: The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. I’ve had several folks recommend this book to me, so we’ll give this Sci Fi Mystery a try. We will be discussing The Eyre Affair on June 22, 2007. Won’t you join us?

The Book Stacks, Cover to Cover, Book Club, Mars Needs Moms!, Berkeley Breathed, The Eyre Affair, Jasper Fforde

Hello, and welcome to the first meeting of the Book Stacks Book Club, Cover to Cover. Today we are discussing The Children of Húrin by J.R.R. Tolkien. No, you don’t need to have read it completely ‘cover to cover’ to participate. The Children of Húrin has a sizable Appendix in the back, after all. I would like to begin the discussion with the following question:

1. Did you enjoy the book?

That’s the big question isn’t it? For my part, I enjoyed the way it was written, and I enjoyed the language of the book, but…it was frickin’ depressing. It was like a train wreck that you couldn’t look away from. I kept wanting to smack Túrin upside the head. Every way he turned, every choice he made turned to ashes. If he had only listened to one little bit of counsel along the way. There were *so* many opportunities to turn back. What’s that they say? Pride goeth before a fall? (Yes, I know that in some ways it was his doom acting upon him, but come on!) So: well written, beautiful language, and full of tragedy. In other words: too depressing for me. Do you agree? Do you disagree?

2. Alan Lee provided several illustrations for this volume, including some in color. Do you feel that they supported the narrative?

Definitely. I particularly enjoyed the chapter heading drawings and, for some reason, the lembas on page 120. It is always nice to have illustrations in a book containing this level of written imagery. Illustrations by Alan Lee are good in any book, in my not so humble opinion.

3. What lesson can we take away from this book?

Consider carefully the advice of others wiser than yourself? Anyone else have a better one?

4. Does this book remind you of any other book?

The beginning reminded me of The Silmarillion as it moved rapidly back and forth in the timeline. Otherwise…Oedipus Rex? Not quite the same, obviously, but it contains many of the same elements. Many legends have similar elements, actually.

5. Did you have a favorite character?

Favorite character…hmmm…Nellas. Yes, I choose Nellas. For all that she was forgotten, she faced her fears to defend Túrin in the great hall. Good on her.

I feel like some sort of heretic disliking a book by Tolkien. I love The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. I’ve even read some of The Silmarillion. And yet, for all that the language moved me and got me to continue reading, the storyline left me cold. This book was crushingly depressing. I knew the basic storyline going into it, but Tolkien described Túrin’s path with such skill that I felt even worse about what was going on. Sigh. So…What did you think?

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And now, the book which we will be discussing next time is: Mars Needs Moms! by Berkeley Breathed. Labeled “controversial” for its depiction of motherly love, we will discuss Mars Needs Moms! on June 8, 2007.

Book Stacks Book Club, Cover to Cover, The Children of Húrin, J.R.R. Tolkien, Mars Needs Moms!, Berkeley Breathed