Holding Wonder

Holding Wonder Zenna Henderson Date: June, 1972   —   used only   —   Book product page Rating:

Fiction, Science Fiction

This is a collection of stories from the creator of The People, characters who are pretty much human except for powers such as telepathy and telekinesis (and, oh, the fact that they came from a distant star.) The People have to hide their abilities because of the times they live in; though they are people of deep (and vaguely Christian) faith, they are often burned as witches or shunned for other reasons.

Similar sensibilities permeate the stories in this collection. Primary characters are often teachers dealing with strange children, such as the folks in "The Closest School" who have to deal with enrolling a furry alien child, or the teacher in "The Believing Child" who has to talk a girl into changing several boys back from being rocks. Some of the stories dance on the edge of reality; a particularly sad example deals with a child in a family that is breaking apart, because reading between the lines tells you every part of a sordid tale that some children have to deal with in their lives.

Several stories deal with the threat of nuclear war, but in a way that indicates that the dangers might not just come from a fractious mankind, but might be something stranger and less preventable; whether a meteor strike or the Hand of God smiting the wicked, these stories seem to say, this is our world now and we must deal with it. Most of the stories are set in the West, southern Colorado or Arizona, perhaps. It's never specified, but the terrain tells its own tale.

These are classic stories that have been long overlooked. Zenna Henderson's work is full of hope and the possibility (if not always the reality) of redemption, and is perfect reading when you're feeling a little down about the state of humanity. Buy it when you can track it down.

Spindle's End

Spindle's End Robin McKinley Date: 2000   —   $5.85   —   Book product page Rating:

Fiction, Fantasy

Where Beauty and Rose Daughter were retellings of Beauty and the Beast, Spindle's End is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty. It is set in a country where magic is in the air, literally, and fairies to help control the dust problem are common. When the queen finally has a child, fairy godmothers are invited, and everyone hopes that the dire Pernicia who stood against the country's queen so long ago, is truly dead and no longer a problem. Naturally, this is not the case, and a young fairy from a distant town takes the child away to hide her, as ordinary folk are probably the best method to hide the child from Pernicia's search.

Rose grows up with many fairy gifts in strange ways— what good is a pleasant singing voice if you're tone deaf?— and as ordinary as she believes she is. But when the dire date approaches for the curse to be fulfilled, she plots with her fairy "cousin" and "aunt" to fool Pernicia and her magic, and fight her way through a hate that has four hundred years to grow strong. As is typical with McKinley, Rose is a strong character, and makes for entertaining reading.

Rose Daughter

Rose Daughter Robin McKinley Date: 1997   —   $5.85   —   Book product page Rating:

Fiction, Fantasy

That Robin McKinley loves the story of Beauty and the Beast is obvious, as she has told the story not once but twice. However, the two versions are not completely congrous, and this version is a little more adult, with roses as an allegory for love (not romantic love per se but necessary love). There's also a lot about gardening, something McKinley has been doing a lot of in her life. And the sisters are obnoxious to start off with but become more reasonable as time goes by, something commesurate with the vast changes in their life.

There's a lot more pettiness in this version, as the cityfolk turn their backs on the family when their social status falls apart. Likewise, the eldest son of the squire in the town they move to is very conscious of his status and provides a sense of danger there. And the origins of the Beast are a little clearer in this version; and Beauty's choice is slightly different than the traditional one, because she has more of a choice in this version.

I tend to read both versions at once, one right after another. What can I say, I like Beauty and the Beast too.

Beauty

Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast Robin McKinley Date: 1978   —   $5.39   —   Book product page Rating:

Fiction, Fantasy

This is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, and is notable for several things. One is that the sisters are not nearly as obnoxious as in the traditional tale; the comments to the father about bringing back ropes of jewels are presented as a joke, since they know full well that the returning ship, the last of their father''s fortune, is not likely to be large. Beauty is likewise named as a joke; her given name is Honour, which is entirely appropriate to her role. She is, in fact, gawky and undersized, tomboyish and unwilling to even consider the idea that she might be at least pretty.

This is a fairly straightforward retelling, and appropriate for the younger set; there shouldn't be that much to confuse them, except, of course, the romantic aspect. But, hey, you can't have everything in a fairytale.

The Dead Sea Cipher

The Dead Sea Cipher Elizabeth Peters Date: 1970   —   $6.99   —   Book product page Rating:

Dinah is all set for her tour of the Middle East, though it is unfortunate that her pastor father has set up a very safe tour for her. When raised voices from the next room catch her attention one night, and one person dies, she finds herself in a web of intrigue and in which most people believe she's a spy. Which she's not, but she's in danger nonetheless. And then her tour to the Holy Land gets postponed, and one or another of her tourmates might be a spy. For that matter, all of them could be. Which doesn't improve her mood any.

And naturally, there is an annoying man in the picture, obviously the prospective love interest. The whole thing is set to be an absurdist romp except, of course, for the deadly seriousness that the participants take in the business. Naturally, Dinah wants to be anything but dead.

The one note that dims my enjoyment of this novel is the political situation in the books. Over thirty years later and it's not much improved. What a shame.

The Seventh Sinner

The Seventh Sinner Elizabeth Peters Date: 1972   —   $6.99   —   Book product page Rating:

Fiction, Mystery

This is the first novel to feature Jacqueline Kirby, bizarre librarian, though you wouldn't know it from the cover description. The murder is of a man with no social graces whatsoever, a man whose ill-kept appearance and rude maneuvering into a group means that many of them would have reasons to get him out of the way. Of course, ineptitude itself is not a reason for murder, and Jacqueline Kirby must find out who is the killer, since a young lady of the group appears to be a target.

The motive, when finally revealed, is a familiar one, and Jake is perfectly in place to reveal it. Sadly, the reactions surrounding the revelation are also far too common, and a commentary on the insular academic tradition.

Legend In Green Velvet

Legend in Green Velvet Elizabeth Peters Date: 1976   —   $6.29   —   Book product page Rating:

Fiction, Mystery

These are called mysteries, but with Elizabeth Peters, they usually swerve over into the Romance category. This one, of course, is no exception, with Susan in love with all things Scottish, and, naturally, a Scot desperately annoyed at his heritage (and his over-the-top father.) Susan is to get to an archæological dig, but gave herself a week in Edinburgh first.

Whereupon she receives a message obviously meant for another, gets her room trashed, meets that aforementioned Scot, and becomes accused of murder. Which means she has to run, because it's obvious that some of the folks in charge are not, in fact, the real police or inspectors. And after a series of implausible events, it becomes obvious that though the murder charge is not meant to stick, it is meant to keep her out of the way. Because she obviously can expose a group of criminals— if she ever figures out what they're up to.

Very entertaining, though it is only a popcorn novel. (Tasty, but no real value.)