The Book Stacks

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