Book Description
"A spare, subtle, moving love story that builds and sustains its own utterly believable world."—Elizabeth Ward, Washington Post Book World
One thousand years ago, chaos loosed itself upon Japan, upending an era in which the arts flourished. At the dawn of 250 years of civil war, in the opulent court of Lord Norimasa, the beautiful but cruel poet Lady Utsu wages war with men's hearts and holds the fearsome lord and his devoted samurai Matsuhito in her thrall. As the two men raze Japan's landscape in futile battles for unity, Utsu falls for Matsuhito even as Lord Norimasa continues to love her.
The epic romance of Utsu and Matsuhito resumes itself decades later, when they meet as vagrants so transformed by time that they no longer recognize each other; they are reunited through their mystical connection to a pair of snow foxes that are their only company in the Japanese wilderness. The heartbreaking story of their renewed love is fraught by the Japanese concept of mono no aware—life's ephemeral nature—that weighs on the lovers. Reading group guide included.
Customer Reviews:
snow fox bore.......2007-08-29
the cover was nice which is why I borrowed it, but the book was a total bore. it went nowhere. not romantic at all and confusing in parts. I love Japanase stories but this was terrible. If I didn't get this book for free I'd have asked for a refund. I can't understand the 4 star reviews from other readers except they went insane like Lady Tsukie. they must be family members of the author
well-researched and engrossing historical novel.......2007-02-11
Susan Fromberg Schaeffer has authored a well-researched and well-written historical novel, the story of a samurai and a young girl reared in a great lord's palace who meet during a plague, fall in love and become separated during Japan's great civil wars. There are elements of fantasy and myth in the tale which describes in detail the grandeur of palace life, the horror of epic battles, and the everyday life of 1000 years ago. With elements of joy and sadness, this is an engrossing book.
A disappointment.......2006-11-15
Have you ever read the dustjacket of a book and thought "Hmm, this might be interesting." Then you make the mistake of actually opening the book and reading it, only to find the dustjacket was the best part of the book? That's the problem with The Snow Fox. To be honest I didn't read the entire thing. After 150 pages and still not caring about any of the characters or what was going on, I decided life was to precious to waste my time on this novel. I will say the story went at a steady pace, but a good pace doesn't make up for the fact none of the characters were interesting enough to get involved with.
An overlong but compelling story of medieval Japan........2005-08-28
If you are interested in the history and mystique of the ancient Samurai, you will find this historical fiction true to their tradition with all the blood and gore, the horrific way they killed, and especially the loyalty they showed towards their leaders.
The real meat of the book is a love story, the story of a woman taken in as a ward by a Warlord, her life, her attitudes. See the editorial reviews above for the story synopsis.
The book is too long. The first half is paced well, but the last half seems to ramble on forever. I was compelled to read on because I cared about the characters by the middle of the book, (good development by the author) but the story had too many side stories, too many slow scenes in the second half. There is a lot of philosophy, exposition of the spiritual beliefs of this period and culture, part of what makes the book good.
This book is a typical style of writing that seems prevalent these days, lyrical writing with lots of philosophy but a too long book. Whatever happened to the spare writing of times past? Tell a story, one story, grab the reader but don't hold them hostage. Still, this is an enjoyable read. If you like to settle into a book for awhile, enjoy philosophy, enjoy history, enjoy a good love story, you'll enjoy this book.
Samurai Soap Opera.......2004-10-05
I was drawn to this book because of the subject matter/time period (medieval Japan) but was sorely disappointed by this unremarkable book.
A major frustration came from the "arm's length" feeling of the characters; one would think that the 3rd person narration would be a useful vehicle to allow the author to delve deeply into the minds and personalities of multiple characters, but it really doesn't happen. The two main characters get the most, but even they don't get nearly as much as they should, considering the fact that the brunt of the story revolves directly around them.
Lady Utsu is the dubious heroine; she is unabashedly and admittedly icy and calculating, and there are no positive elements to round her out. Not surprisingly, it's hard to care about or root for this person. Also, for someone who is described in the cover blurb as a "supreme poetic genius," her infrequent poems don't do much.
The other characters didn't get enough development, so they didn't give you much to think about; some in particular could have been expanded much more. For example, Aki, Utsu's servant through part of the story, could have served as a nice foil to Utsu's iciness, had she been more developed.
Another big problem is the writing style. Ms. Schaeffer should be reminded of one of the axioms of writing: "Show, don't tell." So much of this book consisted of "Let's tell each other what we're going to do before we do it and then do it!"
There are so many "he said/he did"s that it gets very repetitive, and almost like a report, rather than flowing fiction.
I'm wondering who wrote the excessive superlatives in the cover descriptions ("a sweeping novel of epic range and depth...a great and moving love story") because I found none of these qualities in this book. The love story of Utsu and Matsuhito was flat and uninspired (it didn't even seem like they cared about each other), the plotline dragged (for the last 1/3rd of the book I kept thinking "Where is this going?") until it meandered at last to a close, and much of the dialogue was so stilted as to be ridiculous ("you annoying person!").
The storyline would have been decent, but it just couldn't rise above all these flaws. Based on this book, I really wonder who bestowed upon the author the epithet of "one of America's most acclaimed writers." She's evidently prolific (has no less than 12 other books, according to the author blurb), but quantity does not equal quality.
If you would like to read a novel set in ancient Japan with a poet as heroine, try Liza Dalby's "Tale of Murasaki," a well-researched and infinitely more descriptive novel based on the life of Lady Murasaki Shikibu. The character of Murasaki is far more developed, interesting and worthy of the reader's compassion; Utsu pales in comparison.
Average customer rating:
- Relax and enjoy it.
- My most cherised series
- Amazing
- A wonderful series to read and reread
- One of the best Fantasy series since Tolkein!
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The Malloreon, Vol. 1 (Books 1-3): Guardians of the West, King of the Murgos, Demon Lord of Karanda
David Eddings
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Eddings, David | ( E ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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The Malloreon, Vol. 2 (Books 4 & 5): Sorceress of Darshiva, The Seeress of Kell
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The Belgariad, Vol. 2 (Books 4 & 5): Castle of Wizardry, Enchanters' End Game
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The Belgariad, Vol. 1 (Books 1-3): Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery, Magician's Gambit
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Belgarath the Sorcerer
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Polgara the Sorceress (Malloreon (Paperback Random House))
ASIN: 0345483863
Release Date: 2005-08-30 |
Book Description
Discover the magic of The Malloreon–David Eddings’s acclaimed series, the sequel to his bestselling The Belgariad. Now the first three Malloreon books appear in a single volume, taking us on an epic quest across strange lands among gods, kings, sorcerers, and ordinary men. It is a gripping tale of two ancient warring destinies fighting a battle of good against evil.
Garion has slain the evil God Torak and is now the King of Riva. The prophecy has been fulfilled–or so it seems. For there is a dire warning, as a great evil brews in the East. Now Garion once again finds himself with the fate of the world resting on his shoulders. When Garion’s infant son is kidnapped by Zandramas, the Child of Dark, a great quest begins to rescue the child. Among those on the dangerous mission are Garion and his wife, Queen Ce’Nedra, and the immortal Belgarath the Sorcerer and his daughter, Polgara. They must make their way through the foul swamps of Nyissa, then into the lands of the Murgos. Along the way, they will face grave dangers–captivity, a horde of demons, a fatal plague–while Zandramas plots to use Garion’s son in a chilling ritual that will make the Dark Prophecy supreme. . .
Customer Reviews:
Relax and enjoy it........2007-09-25
Eddings writes mindless drivel, but it is ENTERTAINING mindless drivel - great for telling the world to go soak its head and just sitting back and having a good time.
My most cherised series.......2007-07-26
Along with The Belgariad, the Malloreaon is probably my most beloved series of fantasy. I read all the books in the series over 10 years ago & to this day when I just need to escape, I find myself in this world. What David Eddings has crafted is every bit as beautiful as the Tolkien world, as magical as Harry Potter, and as rich as Anne Rice's history in the Vampire Chronicles. The characters are faceted & complex, the story line flows easily & I feel that I am a lucky reader to have found such a magical world!
Amazing.......2007-05-20
I've read alot of fantasy books from all kinds of authors. High fantasy and Epics and light fantasy. Usually in a series, the first 3 books are the best and if there are any after that they decline. I started out reading the Belgaraid knowing that this series was "light fantasy" and I didn't expect anything more than that. Then I get to the Mallorean and not only did it surprised me but it was actually better than the Belgaraid. Even the 3rd book in the Mallorean was better than the first. It seems that the author got better as he wrote and had a story to tell instead of stretching out a shorter story just to sell more books.
A wonderful series to read and reread.......2007-04-29
I first picked up Guardians of the West in the Library while I waited for my three children to finish their homework assignments. I couldn't put it down. Then I discovered there were five previous books. I immediately went and checked out Eddings first book The Pawn Of Prophecy and I was hooked. I was especially intrigued by their world and the numerous societies they developed to fill it. The background story was always intriguing. As Tolkin said about Bilbo's home, `There was always something more to discover'.
The landscape is rich in detail and their characters are warm and real. I enjoyed the surprises David and Leigh build into their stories. I was especially entertained by twist that the Murgo King and Silk were half brothers. While I love all the characters, I was fascinated by Polgara. I loved Beldin's character as a foil to Belgarath. I was surprised, happy, and saddened by his departure at the series finale. I have all the books in my collection and I have reread them many times. I go there to escape or find inspiration. This is truly one of the great works of fiction by a truly distinguished writing team.
One of the best Fantasy series since Tolkein!.......2007-03-31
In most cases, it seems, sequels tend to lose the punch and energy found in the origanal series. This is far from the truth when it comes to The Mallorean, by David Eddings. In his first series,The Belgariad, Vol. 1 (Books 1-3): Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery, Magician's Gambit andThe Belgariad, Vol. 2 (Books 4 & 5): Castle of Wizardry, Enchanters' End Game Eddings spins a tale of good and evil that is worthy of J.R.R. Tolkein, without being a slavish copy of the masterwork of Fantasy fiction.
In The Mallorean, Eddings successfully creats a new story, resurecting most of the old characters. He creates a story that shows that even though everything seemed to come to a successfull conclusion, fate often needs to go full circle. His characters are immensely believable; the reluctant king of an island kingdom, Belgarion, who also is one of the world's most powerful wizards, to his Queen, headstrong and with a short-fused temper. Add in the Emperor of the largest land, who must forge a reluctant reliance with Belgarion to save his people, and the young child destined to take his place as the newest god. The story is wonderfully crafted to carry this tale. Add in the final bookThe Malloreon, Vol. 2 (Books 4 & 5): Sorceress of Darshiva, The Seeress of Kell to tie all the ends together and you have the perfect series in the world of Fantasy literature.
Every year or so, regardless of where I am in my reading list, I make the time to reread The Lord Of The Rings by Tolkein, Eddings' Belgariad and Mallorian, and the works of Raymond FeistMagician: Apprentice (Riftwar Saga), et al. These are, in my opinion, the benchmarks of all Fantasy. If you haven't read Eddings yet, do so at your earliest oppurtunity. You won't be dissappointed.
Average customer rating:
- just plain fun!
- Great story!!!
- Another great book by Mr. Eddings
- IF YOU HAVE GONE THIS FAR, MIGHT AS WELL PUSH ON
- Eddings surpasses expectations
|
Demon Lord of Karanda (The Malloreon, Book 3)
David Eddings
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
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ASIN: 0345363310
Release Date: 1989-10-14 |
Book Description
In an adventurous sequel to THE MALLOREAN, David Eddings tells the story of King Garion's abducted infant son and his efforts to save him. Unfortunately, he and his friends are detained by the friendly, but determined Zakath, who refuses to let them leave. As a horde of demons ravage the Cities and a plague lets loose its terrors, Garion has little time left to reach his destination, or the kidnapper wins by default.
Customer Reviews:
just plain fun!.......2007-05-05
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters, while not as complex as I would have wanted, are fun. By this point (after reading Belgariad and the first 2 books of the Mallorean)you know all the characters well and can sit back and enjoy the dialogue. That, to me, is what this is all about. The characters don't get very much closer to the end of their epic fantasy quest, but who cares? This book is not so much plot-driven as character driven. I love the character of (Kal) Zakath, and have always liked Belgarath, Polgara, Silk, and especially Beldin. As another reviewer said, reading this is like spending time with friends. You enjoy the wit, and don't really worry about exactly what is going on.
Great story!!!.......2006-03-09
I like David Eddings anyway, so the second half of the Belgariad was a must read for me. You join all your favorite characters from the Belgariad on a second meeting of the Child of Light and the Child of Dark. This time it will be the last meeting. If you like fantasy, this is a great read. Check out Eddings other books too.
Another great book by Mr. Eddings.......2006-02-17
I've found this simply added to the other books in the Belgariad and the Malloreon.
IF YOU HAVE GONE THIS FAR, MIGHT AS WELL PUSH ON.......2005-10-07
The Malloreon continues with this third volume. Again, it is simply a fun read, flawed though it may be. This and "The Belgriad" are of course linked and "The Maloreon" is simply a continuation. The story twists and turns. There are new characters added and the story moves on at a nice pace. Like the rest of this author's work, you either like it or you don't. To each his own. I personally enjoy the series and have read it several times. These are the type of books I read for pure relaxation and they fill the bill completely for me. If you are an Eddings fan, then I highly recommend. If you are not..hey, you have read this far and might as well finish the series anyway. Enjoy!
Eddings surpasses expectations.......2005-09-19
David Edding is a wonderful fantasy/advnture writer. The depth of his characters and his intertwined plots makes all of his books hard to put down. This series of books was one of the best yet from David Eddings. I am looking forward to see where he can lead us to next.
Customer Reviews:
At least as good as The Belgariad!.......2000-01-14
But then again - this is David Eddings, and this man IS the best! These books are absolutely fantastic - funny and well written. Everything David Eddings writes - Belgariad & Malloreon + prequels, Elinium and Tamuli - it's just perfect.
PS. I know I've written this once, but this time it'll link to my user-site.
Typical Eddings: Awesome!.......1999-12-09
I have found myself reading and re-reading David Eddings work with great frequency. He writes about believable characters that bicker, pout, and get along much like my friends with whom I grew up. This is not Tolkein. The heroes aren't perfect. Belgarath is about as flawed as they come and is perfectly contrasted by his prudish daughter Polgara. Poor Belgarion is caught in the middle with the way he was raised and egged on by his little queen. This makes for a great comedy. The adventure is almost secondary to the story or as Alfred Hitchcock would put it, the McGuffin; a simple plot device.
David Eddings is one of the best writers there is.
This is best!.......1999-12-03
This is better! then the 5 star Belgarion serie. The characters are so lively. It's more comedy than in a real comedy but also excitement. If you haven't read this do it!
But a tip read the Belgarion serie first. For you that have read the Belgarion I just want to say that this is more comedy and less excitement. But at my opinion it is better.
Top-Notch Fantasy.......1999-11-08
If you enjoy Fantasy, you will love both the Belgariad and the Mallorian. I've read them so many times, I've lost count. So have both my kids. What makes Eddings' books so good is his ability to bring his characters to life. They become more than just fictional constructs - in fact, they become friends.
At least as good as The Belgariad!.......1999-10-23
But then again - this is David Eddings, and this man IS the best! These books are absolutely fantastic - funny and well written. Everything David Eddings writes - Belgariad & Malloreon + prequels, Elinium and Tamuli - it's just perfect.
Product Description
Malloreon Series (5 Books) By David Eddings - Guardians of the West, King of the Murgos, Demon Lord of Karanda, Sorceress of Darshiva, The Seeress of Kell.
Average customer rating:
- Dragon Winter is better... But,
- How bad can it be? I'll tell you!
- Awesome book
- Reprinted at long last!
- Deservedly out of print
|
Greyfax Grimwald: The Circle of Light, Book 1 (The Circle of Light)
Niel Hancock
Manufacturer: Starscape
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
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Faragon Fairingay: The Circle of Light, Book 2 (The Circle of Light)
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Across the Far Mountain: Wilderness of Four, No. 1 (Wilderness of Four)
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The Road to the Middle Islands: Wilderness of Four, No. 4
ASIN: 0765346133 |
Book Description
Welcome to Atlanton Earth!Drawn together by an enchanted summons, three loyal friends-Bear, Dwarf, and Otter-bid farewell to their fair home in the kingdom of Lorini and embark on a magical journey to the fabled World Beyond Time. A place where glows the ageless Circle of Light. Along the way they meet many marvelous friends, including the mighty wizardGreyfax Grimwald. But little does the trio realize the dangers that await them: the gloomy border ofthe Northerland .... the green fires of the Palace of Darkness....evil spells and dark enchantments .... the dread city of Humans and-most fearsome of all-the evil Dark Queen.
Customer Reviews:
Dragon Winter is better... But,.......2006-07-19
I bought all four books in this series when I was probably 11 years old. I remember trying to read Grayfax Grimwald at the time and being very frustrated with not understanding it. The books sat on my shelf for years but I never tired of looking at the cover art or dreaming about the stories that I'd probably grow up to be able to read some day.
... Years later I lost those books, but always remembered them and regretted losing them at a yard sale I hadn't been apart of. When I realized they were gone, I became determined to get them back into my life. Well, it took me 4 years of smashing my head into a wall to remember the name of the author, the title of the books, or any of the characters. I never did, dispite a handfull of sci-fi geeks at B&N and Borders - but fortunately, one day I saw a painting that I new had to have been by the same artist.
I did some back-track-investigation and eventually found and purchased every book Hancock wrote. I immediately started reading G.Grimwald again - and immediately remembered the frustration. I think the author's prose style just doesn't work for me. The writing in the first book of the Circle Of Light is very sloppy. Too many run-on sentences and Hancock's too-lofty style of describing things and digressing make it a very difficult read. ...for me. (At times, it feels like he was on some special "medicine" while writing.)
So, sadly, I put this book down - despite really loving the characters and the story. Now I'm reading Dragon Winter (also by Hancock) - which doesn't have any of the problems of grammer/structure that I found in G.Grimwald and the book/story/characters are all fantastic as well. In fact, he's prose is very smooth, compact, clear, and well timed in Dragon Winter.
But I'm determined to read every one of his books - and I do think that circle of light is worth getting. I haven't read a copy of the new, revised publishings. I'm not sure if any clean-up or changes were made -but if they were fixed-up, I'll buy the new versions as well and start all over again.
Last word: grammer/prose is tough to follow, but the story is really good. the first half of G.Grimwald is filled with a fantastic idealic life of the three heros in their little nook of the woods. Yes, similar to the Shire, but I actually discovered that wanted to live with Brocco, Otter and Bear just as much I would have wanted to live with Bilbo.
Ok, the army part where Otter and Bear transform into people is strange... and some of the names are so hard to say or read or pronounce... I would like to read a book with a Dark Lord Timmy for a change.
Apart from that, these are great books.
How bad can it be? I'll tell you!.......2005-06-26
I was amazed...but NOT because of wondrous creatures or magical places like Tolkien described. I laughed aloud...but not because these books shared the humor of Piers Anthony. I was stunned...but not because of any similarity to the vivid descriptive ability of Anne McCaffrey.
No, all these reactions were from reading the inane Circle of Light, a sloppy, un-believable, barely disguised excuse of a fantasy series (The unimaginative Arkenchest name, practically stolen from The Hobbit's Arkenstone, is just one example of this tacky, nearly criminally plagiaristic atrocity). I read this junk because it was so laughably stupid, and in this it was sickeningly entertaining. My sister and I spent hours joking about this horrific series.
As for my reactions:
I was amazed that this stuff was published.
I laughed aloud at the ludicrous plot and scenes (Elves and dwarves lobbing hand grenades and shooting rifles is just...weird...ok?)
I was stunned that it sold so well (this trilogy came out right after the explosion in popularity in Tolkien's books in the '80's - pure luck riding a wave of ravenous readers who couldn't get enough of fantasy stories)
I admit this review is rather harsh, and maybe some of you like these books, and that's fine by me. However, I think interested readers unfamiliar with this series would do better with other fantasy works.
Awesome book.......2004-02-11
Circle of Light #1: Greyfax Grimwald is an adventurous read. It is similar to the Lord of the Rings saga. It is the first of four books, and once you read the first, you have to read the other three books. It is a spectacular journey deserving of a 4 out of 5.
Reprinted at long last!.......2004-02-02
I originally bought the four books in this series back in the mid seventies, and am glad to be able to replace them now with new, much-less-tattered editions.
I highly recommend this series (and Hancock's other Atlanton Earth books) because of the twists he takes on the idea-starved, high fantasy tradition such as sometimes having animals as talking, leading characters, and mixing gun play in with the normal sword and sorcery action. Additionally, Hancock does what many fantasy authors have forgotten: creates a living, breathing world filled with rich characters that you actually care about! Enjoy this series...and hope they bring his other books back into print as well!
Deservedly out of print.......2002-11-11
This is a trite and tiresome novel which
in no way compares with the classics of
fantasy.
Book Description
• Fox marries mysticism with social justice, leading the way toward a gentler and more ecological spirituality and an acceptance of our interdependence
• A road map to fulfillment for the coming century
In A Spirituality Named Compassion, Matthew Fox, the popular and controversial author, establishes a spirituality for the future that promises personal, social, and global healing. Using his own experiences with the pain and lifestyle changes that resulted from an accident, Fox has written an uplifting book on the issues of ecological justice, the suffering of Earth, and the rights of her nonhuman citizens.
Fox defines compassion as creativity put to the service of justice and argues that we can achieve compassion for both humanity and the environment as we recognize the interconnectedness of all things. Working toward the creation of a gentler, ecological, and feminist Christianity, Fox marries mysticism and social justice, emphasizing that as we enter a new millennium society needs to realize that spirituality's purpose is to guide us on a path that leads to a genuine love of all our relations and a love for our shared interdependence.
Customer Reviews:
Dancing Sarah's Circle.......2001-09-28
Uniting Mystical Awareness with Social Justice. This book was a gift from a dear friend, and what a gift it has turned out to be. I will always be mindful of the difference between climbing Jacob's Ladder and dancing Sarah's Circle. It is such a perfect metaphor for the lives we have built. It is especially poignant to have read this volume and finished it so close to the recent tragedies here in the US on 9/11/01. It makes me wonder exactly how much of the hate directed at our country is due to the Jacob's Ladder world we have created. It is high time that we paid attention to dancing instead of climbing.
Matthew had so much to teach me about compassion - that it is not pity but celebration, not sentiment but making justice and doing works of mercy, and that it is not private or ego-centric but public. Then Matthew helps us to understand how the teachings in our culture, that of ever climbing - the ladders of success or acquisitions - and distancing ourselves from others and how those teachings separate us from compassion, can be a significant cause of pain in our world.
Many of us know the song to which Matthew refers: We are climbing Jacob's Ladder / Soldiers of the Cross. We may not be familiar with the corollary to that song (sung to the same tune): We are Dancing Sarah's Circle / Sisters, Brothers, All. The message of this book - give up being "Soldiers of the Cross," and instead become "Sisters, Brothers, All," is definitely a message for our time.
A Weighty Message in Unorthodox Garb........2000-05-28
If one can get beyond the panentheism of Fox's mystical theology, one can hear a brilliant voice making a valid plea. Fox urges that the church free itself from hierarchical posturing and embrace a holistic spirituality that embraces compassion as the heart of life. Fox brilliantly critiques the manner in which modernity has perverted compassion, turning it into a sappy, sentimental virtue rather than a celebration of creation and the communion of humanity. His plea for a holistic spirituality of mystical communion is engaging but will miss the mark for Christians looking for 12-step techniques for spiritual revival. But maybe this is Fox's point: spirituality is inevitably distorted when transformed into a linear "technique."
Product Description
A prophetic book that presents the world in an eggshell, the global village as a fragil, free-falling, humpty-dumpty egg.
Average customer rating:
|
A Spirituality Named Compassion
Matthew Fox
Manufacturer: HarperSanFrancisco
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Fox, Matthew
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ASIN: B000OEN1P8 |
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