Recent Reads {Crown of Fire}

Crown of Fire (The Thistle and the Cross #1) by Craig & Janet Parshall - this first novel in a trilogy is set during the beginning of the Reformation in Scotland, at the time of John Knox.  Actually, the main character is a student, and later an assistant and colleague of Rev Knox.  As with so many historical setting novels, the appeal to me was "seeing" a historical event as it may have been from the perspective of those who lived through it.  I really enjoyed this story, and look forward to getting the next book in the trilogy, but I did find it difficult emotionally in places - reading a first-hand account, even a fictional account, of seeing people martyred or tortured for their faith in Christ alone and for their love of God's Word, can be heart-wrenching.  To be reminded of the great cost to these reformers is humbling, to say the least.  They loved God's Word with all their hearts, and many gave their lives to give that Word to the people in their own language, and I am ashamed that I so often take that sacrifice too lightly - I own multiple copies of the Bible, in several translations, and have no fear of arrest or persecution because I have them; and yet I take that for granted and neglect the reading and study of the Scripture too often.  Even though this book is a work of fiction, it reminded me of the "great cloud of witnesses" and has been used by the Holy Spirit to convict me in this area.  So many Christians in generations long past have given their lives so that the gospel would come to us - do we cherish the inheritance that we have? And what legacy will we leave to those who come behind us?

Recent Reads {The Shipwreck That Saved Jamestown}

The Shipwreck That Saved Jamestown: The Sea Venture Castaways and the Fate of America by Lorri Glover and Daniel Blake Smith - This book was mentioned in a library newsletter I received, and it came while I was working on lesson plans for our study of the settling and colonization of the Americas in History.  I thought it might be interesting to read this for myself, as background for our discussion of Jamestown, and found it to be quite engaging.  I have to confess that in some chapters - especially towards the end of the book - I did skim a lot rather than read; but that was more because I was pressed for time than because of the material.  Glover and Smith present a well-researched history that, in places, reads like a novel.  They rely heavily on - and quote from - original sources such as the first-hand accounts of the colonists.  It really is a remarkable story, and one that usually is told only from the perspective of the colonists in Jamestown.  For anyone interested in the history of Jamestown, or of Bermuda, I'd recommend this as interesting reading - not nearly so dry as you might expect!

Recent Reads {Bram Stoker's Dracula}

Dracula by Bram Stoker - This was my book club pick for October.  We usually do our discussion at the end of the month, and thought it would be a fun idea to read something "spooky" to discuss so close to Halloween.  Like most people, I'm very familiar with the general story of Dracula and the vampire legend, but hadn't actually read the book.  It has been on my "I should read that sometime" list for quite some time now, since I saw (and loved) the movie The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.  After seeing the movie a couple of times, I decided it would be interesting to read (or reread in many cases) the literary works on which the "extraordinary gentlemen" were based.  At any rate, I really enjoyed this reading of Dracula, and of course throughout my reading, I pictured Mina Harker just as she was portrayed in the movie!

It's easy to see why this novel remains a classic.  Even knowing how it ends does not dampen the thrill and the suspense as I turned the pages.  Stoker tells the story using first person narratives of most of the characters, with a few newspaper clippings thrown in.  Each of the main characters keeps some form of journal and some write letters or memos, and the chilling tale of the vampire, his victims, and those who fight him are told through the chronological organization of these various pieces. 

The edition I read included an introduction by Leonard Wolf, in which he explains that Dracula is considered to be of the Gothic novel genre, and points out that this monster is an invention of Stoker's, just over 100 years ago.  Yet most everyone knows who Count Dracula is and what he looks like, and that the vampire legends date back at least to medieval Europe.  Don't they?  Wolf reminds us that they do not.  The vampire was introduced to English literature in only 1816, and that by what is considered a rather weak novel by John Polidori.  (Polidori was one who took up Byron's party challenge to write a ghost story - the best known story from that challenge is Mary Shelley's Frankenstein)  Two other novels appeared during the 1800s which featured vampires, and only one, Carmilla by Sheridan LeFanu, is likely to have influenced Stoker's writing of Dracula.  Wolf's analysis of Dracula observes that not only is it an imaginative and exciting Gothic adventure, but is also intended as somewhat of a Christian allegory in the struggle between good and evil.  Wolf says:

The struggle is not merely between good guys and a supremely bad man, but between high-minded Christians and a minion of the devil.  Dracula (his name, in Romanian, beans "dragon") is a creature of the night, cut off from God because he has chosen immortaility under the sponsorship of Satan rather than of Christ.  Though Dracula has supernatural powers, he is weak in God's daylight; he shrinks from any contact with the cross.  Still, he represents a more than mortal danger in his victims because his blood drinking is not simply an act of nourishment.  The more the vampire drinks, the greater is the victim's spiritual empoisonment, so that, when death finally comes, it brings not release from the shocks that flesh is heir to but the beginning of ****ation. (Introduction by Leonard Wolf , p xi, to Dracula)

Certainly the spiritual overtones are obvious, but I would not have described the story as a Christian allegory myself!!  And I certainly don't recommend reading it for the inspiration, because while good ultimately triumphs, Dracula could hardly be considered inspiring or uplifting! It is entertaining and well-crafted fantasy fiction, but dark and chilling in tone.  I enjoyed revisiting this classic novel.

Recent Reads {A Thousand Splendid Suns}

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.  This was the September read for our MOMS Club book club.  We had originally thought about The Kite Runner, since the movie was coming out, but of course that meant the book was in high demand at the library.  So we decided on this, also thinking it would be an appropriate choice for a moms' group, since the story is about women.

 

I don't know quite how to describe it - not an "enjoyable" book, because it tells of so much sorrow and suffering.  But I certainly am glad I read it.  Although the characters are fictional, I know the situations are all too real.  Have been the reality for too many in Afghanistan and other countries where women are treated as property, chattel, or slaves.  I don't know how one could read books like this and not feel compassion for these people, or anger that these atrocities are committed in the name of religion.  Even considering all that heaviness, this story also had warmth and love, and portrayed an unlikely friendship that was characterized by a depth of devotion and commitment that was truly beautiful. 

Recent Reads {The Falcon and the Sparrow}

The Falcon and the Sparrow by M.L. Tyndall is a book I picked up because I'd read the previous pirate themed trilogy by Tyndall and quite liked it.  Then again, I tend to like piratey things.   (Did I write about those books here?  I somehow don't think so)   After the vaguely disappointing The Friday Night Knitting Club, which was the book I read previous to this one, I wanted something fairly light and escapist.  I like historical fiction, there is just something satisfying to me about reading a mystery or drama or romance set in the distant past.  From Tyndall, I knew I would get a historical setting (England in 1803), a little romance, and a "could only happen in fiction" adventure storyline.  Got all three in this quick read.  I thought she did a good job of creating the setting and she presented interesting characters.  As in the pirate trilogy, the events and plot are truly the stuff of fiction, but enjoyable (to me) nonetheless.  My favorite of the Tyndall books I've read is still the first one in the pirate trilogy - The Redemption.  That was the closest to being believable!  LOL  I will be watching for the next Tyndall offering, which is due out in the spring, The Red Siren. 

Recent Reads {The Friday Night Knitting Club}

The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs is a book that had been on my reading wishlist for quite some time.  In fact, several ladies in my MOMS Club wanted to read it, so we all held off until we could acquire enough copies from the library to make it book club pick of the month.  So all that hype and anticipation for this book ----  and in my opinion, it was only "okay"

 

A novel about women's relationships and knitting - of course I didn't expect adventure and suspense!  But I found the plot and characters to be entirely too predictable.  At least they were likeable characters, I will say that.  I did care what happened to them, and I liked the story as a whole.  I got teary-eyed at the places where I was expected to, and was sympathetic with the characters in general.  And when we got together to discuss the book, we found there wasn't much to talk about.  The other ladies in our book club felt more or less the same - it was an okay read, but slow going and predictable.

Recent Reads {The False House}

I am behind on all kinds of blogging, message board, and email-related things, and my Bookcase is no exception.  I finished this book weeks ago!

The False House by James Stoddard is the sequel to The High House, which has become one of my favorite books.  In this one, the house is under great threat by a new plot of the Anarchists.  A young girl is kidnapped and held captive, and the anarchists are using her to change the house.  As in the first book, there are fairy tale and allegorical elements to the story, and lots of fantastic adventure as Lord Anderson and his brother search for the missing girl and for the key to unravelling the plot against the house.  And it appears there are traitors in their midst!

I'm so glad I found these books, and purchased them - they are on my list of books to read over and over again.  Perhaps they will become read-alouds as well.  I will certainly encourage my kids to read them!