The Tombs of Atuan

The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula Le Guin

The Tombs of Atuan is the second book in the Earthsea cycle. I finsihed the first,A Wizard of Earthsea during the Fall into Reading 2009 Challenge. It ended up being a little treasure.

Having connected to the character, Ged, in the first story, I was a bit put off that Tombs began with a little girl, related in no way to Ged. I admit to taking a very slow approach to reading the book in the beginning. But once I allowed myself to settle in I became as attached to Tenar (the little girl) as I had been to Ged.

Le Guin's stories place an importance on names, geography, upbringing, and cultural traditions. Tenar is taken away from her family at six to the Tombs of Atuan to be the High Priestess of the Nameless Ones. She is stripped of her name and finally her memories. She lives the life of the Priestess, a life that everyone believes existed in the Priestess before her, and the one before her.

Tenar becomes Arha, The Eaten One...

It is almost halfway through the book before we see Ged enter the story. Ged has come to find the Ring of Erreth-Akbe. He also finds, and is found by Arha. He becomes her prisoner, but in doing so helps her regain her memories.

The Tombs of Atuan is as dark as the name suggests. There is so much that Le Guin could have written, so much detail that was left out it seems. But I think in giving the bare bones of the story Le Guin allows the reader to move forward and not become bogged in history that may or may not be of interest. At only 146 pages this books is small, but packs a big punch.

I'll be following up with the third book, The Farthest Shore, soon.

At first I thought there were only three books in this series. But there are more in the Earthsea collection. I kept finding conflicting information and was stumbling around trying to see what the order was, and finally had the brilliant idea to see if Le Guin, herself listed them on her website. What do you know? She did; citing her publisher had put them out of order. The books from Earthsea are: A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore, Tehanu, Tales from Earthsea, The Other Wind.

The Tombs of Atuan was a book on my Winter Reading Challenge List.

Robin of My Two Blessings is hostessing the Winter Reading Challenge.

I Am Mordred: A Tale from Camelot

I Am Mordred: A Tale from Camelot by Nancy Springer

I Am Mordred is a young adult fiction I chose for the Winter Reading Challenge. Originally my thought was to read I Am Morgan le Fay, also by Nancy Springer, but found that Mordred was released first, so chose to read them in order.

To be honest, as an Arthurian fan the Morgan le Fay book really caught my fancy since I loved Mists of Avalon and other Arthurian that include the women in the story. So I started Mordred with low expectations.

At 184 pages, it is definitely not a challenging read for an avid adult reader, Springer's writing is definitely directed to a younger audience, although her imagery is really lovely. But that said, I was hooked from the first sentence: "WHEN I WAS A BABY, MY FATHER TRIED TO KILL ME." Alrighty, then...we're headed at the story from a decidedly nontraditional angle.

Springer sets a well paced story that will keep a reader returning. Her portrait of Mordred, always a villain, will allow a reader to see first, not an angry vicious young man; but a child with a need to be loved, surrounded by a cast of characters trying to control their fates.

Definitely recommended for an older child (my rating would be 5th and above, possibly older for a sensitive reader). Teen/young adult readers with a passion for all things Arthurian will enjoy.

Robin of My Two Blessings is hostessing the Winter Reading Challenge.

Magi

Magi by Daniel L. Gilbert

I received Magi right after Christmas. What a lovely gift! The timing couldn't have been more perfect and I finished it on the Feast of Epiphany. How perfect.

Many times we see the magi/the wisemen as an afterthought, I think; flat, two dimensional characters dressed in kingly robes, bringing gifts that contrast with the rude and humble stable where our Savior was born.

Western tradition teaches three wisemen, Balthazar, Gaspar, and Melchior; Eastern tradition teaches twelve. Gilbert brings to life the magi, and not just three, but many Parthian men who were priests and astronomers, well versed in the prophecies, not just of their own peoples, but in the prophecies of the countries surrounding them.

The central character is Ramates, a young and impulsive magi who is motivated by pride. Ramates is the discoverer of the star, Al Sisiosh, in his language. The astronomers know this is the star that heralds the Deliverer, the One who will free the people burdened by injustice. They know they must go to seek Him and do Him homage. Can the imperfect, impulsive Ramates lead them?

That we know "the end of the story," the wisemen kneeling before the infant, Jesus/Yeshua, in no way makes this a dull tale. The real story is in the journey, the dangerous, difficult, dirty, and long tale that lead the magi to, not the manger scene, but to the more likely scene of Jesus in a home as perhaps a twelve to eighteen month old child. The magi prepare themselves as best they can for an audience with the King, but the road weary men who prostrate themselves before the Child are not the pristine men of the manger scenes.

The story of the magi is our story, too; they were the first gentiles to recognize and worship the Son of God. Our journey is long and hard, sometimes we face uglieness to get there. Will you bow, with Ramates and the other magi, before the King of Kings?

Magi is on my reading list for theWinter Reading Challenge. I'm really glad that I read it.

Feasting in Mitford

At the end of At Home in Mitford there was a "teaser," an excerpt form the first chapter of A Light in the Window. Oh that was not fair!! So of course, upon finishing that I stomped off to the living room to find the second installment of Mitford, confident it would be on my shelves with several of the other Mitford books I had picked up at my favorite haunt (Half Price Books!).

Needless to say, when I got there and found that I did NOT own the second Mitford book, I nearly screeched; thankfully I remembered it was past midnight and I would wake my sleeping sons and my hubby. So I pulled up my library website and found it was on the shelf at my neighborhood branch and purposed to go there first thing in the morning.

Once in possession of the book, I read through it as fast as I could. I must admit to being a bit frustrated with Father Tim. He was not as approachable as he was in the first book. But after thinking about it, well...He was in LOVE! And he was conflicted about what to do with the lovely Cynthia Coppersmith. Oh, yeah, and he's dealing with Dooley Barlowe too boot. Well, I daresay, Father Tim acted almost--human!! It was a bit frustrating. Aren't clergy supposed to be perfect? Hmmmmm...

A Light in the Window is a vehicle to take you to Mitford again. But as with any town nothing stands still. Mitford has had some upheaval since our last visit and the characters have a few more bumps and bruises. I don't think A Light in the Window was quite as comfortable as At Home in Mitford, but it was worth traveling home again for a visit.

And you will want to go back again for These High, Green Hills. The trip back to Mitford didn't last any longer than the first two. These books insist that I read as quickly as I can (and as late into the night as my eyes will allow).

Again the story is not as soft and cozy as the first Mitford book. There is tragedy amidst the day to day happenings, but there is joy, sweet as lilac blossoms, too. Father Tim and Cynthia have married (thank goodness!!) and are settling into their new life. Karon, again turns to focus more on the townfolk and their quirks and intricacies. There are new characters who upset the delicate balance of Mitford.

My last trip to the library was to pick up A Common Life, which is actually Book Six in the series, but chronologically falls between Books Two and Three. While there I found The Mitford Snowmen and Esther's Gift. These are sweet little short stories, not even as long as a chapter. I'm not sure they are "must haves," but if you have a Mitford fan on your gift list they would be a fun gift.

As one gracious commenter says, Jan Karon does have a website. It is as welcoming as a trip to Mitford.






A Light in the Window was on my reading list for the Winter Reading Challenge. But of course I got wound up, caught up and distracted in Mitford. I'm still pretty sure I can finish all the books on my list even with a few Mitford vacations.

Winter Reading Challenge

Robin of My Two Blessings is hostessing the Winter Reading Challenge. I'm hoping that it's not too late to join in. I'm just now feeling the fog start to lift and am ready to read again.

Robin's challenge is easy for someone to participate in.

"The rules are very flexible:

1) Choose any number of books you would like to read and post them on your blog.

2) They can be fiction and/or nonfiction including e-books and audiobooks

3) They can overlap with other challenges.

4) Sign up on Mr. Linky. I'm still trying to figure out Mr. Linky so will let you guys post your links yourselves when you have your lists ready.

5) In a few days, I set up a link where you can post links to your book reviews"

I think I can handle that!!

The books I've put on my list for this winter are:

1....And Ladies of the Club by Helen Hooven Santemeyer I've read this book more than once before, but it is one of my favorites and it has been a few years. I'm looking forward to revisiting the wonderful ladies of Waynesboro.

2. A Light in the Window by Jan Karon Apparently I have a lot of catching up to do in Mitford! I loved getting to know these people.

3. Grim Tuesday (Keys to the Kingdom, Book 2) by Garth Nix I didn't think I would read the second installation after the first, but have changed my mind. This is a Young Adult book.

4. I Am Mordred: A Tale of Camelot by Nancy Springer Another Young Adult selection that I'm checking out to see if it is something I would like my oldest to read.

5. The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula Le Guin I really enjoyed A Wizard of Earthsea and have started this already.

6. Voyager by Diana Gabaldon It's been a long time since I visited Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser. It's time to go back.

7. Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives by Wayne Muller I've read this before and wanted to read it again for the Fall Into Reading Challenge, but didn't fit it in. I think it will be a good way to start the year.

8. When Mothers Pray by Cheri Fuller What more needs to be said?

9. The Fire Within by Chris D'Lacey My oldest has read this series and started to read it outloud to his brother (I was eavesdropping.) I think I'll check into it further.

10. The Restless Sea (Morland Dynasty) by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles It's been a while since I've picked up a Morland Dynasty book. This is book number 27 of 31 (so far). This has been a fabulous series. I highly recommend it.

11. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë My neice is receiving this for Christmas from us, I read it eons ago, I'd like to read it again.

12. Eragon by Christopher Paolini I've had best of intentions to read this book for quite a while, quite a while, actually. And since two sequels are out now would be a good time.

13. The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper Always wanted to read this. Wish me luck.

14. I am already editing!! I forgot that I received Magi by Daniel L. Gilbert from a sweet friend and am going to be reading that right away. I was so surprised by this gift--it came with perfect timing.

I'll post full reviews here on my Reviews & Recipes blog and updates on Joyful Days.

Visit Robin and see who else is reading in the Winter Reading Challenge.