Reading
I've just spent the evening with a marvelous book.
Usually I read at least three books in the same period, one in the car, one in the bath, one at the bedside, sometimes another one in my pocket. I started reading this one the same way. Usually it will take me a few days to get to the end of any one book. But last night I found myself in 'can't put it down' mode until it was really time to leave for a scheduled event. Tonight I picked it up a couple of hours ago and devoured the rest of it in one sitting.
I've liked this author's stuff before, but this book has been extraordinary. As clear an interior view as any I've read. Captures just what it was like for me to be fifteen. Captures quite precisely what first serious grief was like for me at twenty-one. Talks about -- and talks to -- the same Magick I'm aware of all around me, even though the fairies are different, even though the processes are different, even though there's no malevolent character in my experience. Answers all my 'plot' questions just late enough for me to feel the suspense of waiting, just thoroughly enough that I don't feel cheated, but not so extensively that my interest feels prurient.
Just now I'm glad I haven't read all her previous stuff already, though I suspect her writing has been getting stronger with every book.
Among Others, by Jo Walton, new enough that the book tour is still in progress. Wow!
Usually I read at least three books in the same period, one in the car, one in the bath, one at the bedside, sometimes another one in my pocket. I started reading this one the same way. Usually it will take me a few days to get to the end of any one book. But last night I found myself in 'can't put it down' mode until it was really time to leave for a scheduled event. Tonight I picked it up a couple of hours ago and devoured the rest of it in one sitting.
I've liked this author's stuff before, but this book has been extraordinary. As clear an interior view as any I've read. Captures just what it was like for me to be fifteen. Captures quite precisely what first serious grief was like for me at twenty-one. Talks about -- and talks to -- the same Magick I'm aware of all around me, even though the fairies are different, even though the processes are different, even though there's no malevolent character in my experience. Answers all my 'plot' questions just late enough for me to feel the suspense of waiting, just thoroughly enough that I don't feel cheated, but not so extensively that my interest feels prurient.
Just now I'm glad I haven't read all her previous stuff already, though I suspect her writing has been getting stronger with every book.
Among Others, by Jo Walton, new enough that the book tour is still in progress. Wow!