#37 The Habitation of the Blessed by Catherynne M. Valente
In the 12th century, the letter of Prester John arrived in Europe. It promised a land of wonder and immortality, ruled by John himself, to all that
seek it. The arrival of this letter prompted explorers to travel around the world in search of John's kingdom. Of course, it was all a hoax, but what if it had been true? The Habitation of the Blessed tells the story of a priest named Hiob Von Luzern, who in his travels comes across the accounts of Prester John, Hagia (Prester John's wife), and a collection of stories called The Scarlet Nursery, growing from a tree like fruit. Hiob struggles to translate the text as quickly as possible, for also like fruit, the books are beginning to rot over time.
The Habitation of the Blessed is the fourth novel I have read by Catherynne M. Valente, and I have grown to appreciate what a dependable writer she is. There are certain elements that you can always expect out of her work. The writing has always be lovely, the worldbuilding, impressively lush and detailed, and the characters complex. I also like the fact that each book is different from the rest. Yes, she often draw upon real world myths, and legends to craft her stories, but she's not the type of writer to tell the same story over and over again, until the books begin to blend together.
Similar to Palimpsest, The Habitation of the Blessed features four protagonists. I found Hiob to be the easiest to connect to. Like the reader, he is experiencing the story of John for the first time, and desires to know the truth behind the legend. John is an interesting protagonists, as he is also the villain of the piece. Fortunately, he is not a typical villain. In fact, I often found myself feeling sorry for him, as he struggles to find his place in this new country of unfamiliar customs and creatures. Hagia is perhaps the most important of the narrators, as she provides us necessary information on the Pentexore (the country in question), and a unique perspective on the character of John himself. The Scarlet Nursery, narrated by Imtithal, may seem unconnected at first, but as the story develops, it becomes obvious that this is not the case.
Personally, I did not fall as wholly in love with The Habitation of the Blessed as I did with In the Night Garden (the first Orphan Tales novel). There were times where I felt it dragged a little, and other times where I found myself wishing that we had gotten to learn more about the real story (that the letter was a hoax), than what we learn in the novel. Still, there is plenty to love about The Habitation of the Blessed. I admire Valente's ability to take what may seem strange or even grotesque to us, and make it beautiful. The Habitation of the Blessed is a rich story that feels larger than it's 269 pages. I am planning on finishing the trilogy when future volumes are released.
Rating: four stars
Length: I listened to the audiobook version, but the print copy is 269 pages
Source: Readfield Community Library
Similar books: For beautifully written fantasy, try works by Patricia McKillip
Other books I've read by this author: In the Night Garden, In the Cities of Coin and Spice (my review), Palimpsest
Next up, I will be reviewing Prisoners in the Palace by Michaela MacCool
xposted to temporaryworlds , bookish , and goodreads
seek it. The arrival of this letter prompted explorers to travel around the world in search of John's kingdom. Of course, it was all a hoax, but what if it had been true? The Habitation of the Blessed tells the story of a priest named Hiob Von Luzern, who in his travels comes across the accounts of Prester John, Hagia (Prester John's wife), and a collection of stories called The Scarlet Nursery, growing from a tree like fruit. Hiob struggles to translate the text as quickly as possible, for also like fruit, the books are beginning to rot over time.
The Habitation of the Blessed is the fourth novel I have read by Catherynne M. Valente, and I have grown to appreciate what a dependable writer she is. There are certain elements that you can always expect out of her work. The writing has always be lovely, the worldbuilding, impressively lush and detailed, and the characters complex. I also like the fact that each book is different from the rest. Yes, she often draw upon real world myths, and legends to craft her stories, but she's not the type of writer to tell the same story over and over again, until the books begin to blend together.
Similar to Palimpsest, The Habitation of the Blessed features four protagonists. I found Hiob to be the easiest to connect to. Like the reader, he is experiencing the story of John for the first time, and desires to know the truth behind the legend. John is an interesting protagonists, as he is also the villain of the piece. Fortunately, he is not a typical villain. In fact, I often found myself feeling sorry for him, as he struggles to find his place in this new country of unfamiliar customs and creatures. Hagia is perhaps the most important of the narrators, as she provides us necessary information on the Pentexore (the country in question), and a unique perspective on the character of John himself. The Scarlet Nursery, narrated by Imtithal, may seem unconnected at first, but as the story develops, it becomes obvious that this is not the case.
Personally, I did not fall as wholly in love with The Habitation of the Blessed as I did with In the Night Garden (the first Orphan Tales novel). There were times where I felt it dragged a little, and other times where I found myself wishing that we had gotten to learn more about the real story (that the letter was a hoax), than what we learn in the novel. Still, there is plenty to love about The Habitation of the Blessed. I admire Valente's ability to take what may seem strange or even grotesque to us, and make it beautiful. The Habitation of the Blessed is a rich story that feels larger than it's 269 pages. I am planning on finishing the trilogy when future volumes are released.
Rating: four stars
Length: I listened to the audiobook version, but the print copy is 269 pages
Source: Readfield Community Library
Similar books: For beautifully written fantasy, try works by Patricia McKillip
Other books I've read by this author: In the Night Garden, In the Cities of Coin and Spice (my review), Palimpsest
Next up, I will be reviewing Prisoners in the Palace by Michaela MacCool
xposted to temporaryworlds , bookish , and goodreads