Chronicler of the Winds: A Novel

Average customer rating:

Very moving story

A magical tale

A Beautiful Book That Not Everyone Will Enjoy

A Very Sad Story

A wondeful story.

Chronicler of the Winds: A Novel
Henning Mankell
Manufacturer: New Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1595580581

Book Description

An award-winning new novel by the internationally acclaimed mystery writer.

"Nelio is dead. And however unlikely it may sound, it seemed to me that he died without once being afraid. How can that be possible?"—from Chronicler of the Winds

World famous for his Kurt Wallander mysteries, Henning Mankell has been published in thirty-five countries, with more than 25 million copies of his books in print. In Chronicler of the Winds, he gives us something different: a beautifully crafted novel that is a testament to the power of storytelling itself. On the rooftop of a theater in an African port, a ten-year-old boy lies slowly dying of bullet wounds. He is Nelio, a leader of street kids, rumored to be a healer and a prophet, and possessed of a strangely ancient wisdom.

One of the millions of poor people "forced to eat life raw," Nelio tells his unforgettable story over the course of nine nights. After bandits cruelly raze his village, he joins the legions of abandoned children living in the city's streets. An act of the imagination, an effort to prove to his comrades that life must be more than mere survival, cuts short Nelio's life.

Already published in thirteen countries, Chronicler of the Winds was short-listed for the Nordic Council Prize for Literature and was nominated for the Swedish Publishers Association's August Prize.

Customer Reviews:

Very moving story.......2007-03-25

I was surprised at the compassion K.W wrote this story...It was very moving . the first 20 or such pages , i had my doubts, but by the time the book was finished, its one i will never forget.
agreat story and very well written

A magical tale.......2006-09-12

Jose Antonio Maria Vaz, a former baker, has now become a beggar waiting for the world to end in a poor African country, ever since he met Nelio, a street boy, and heard his tale. Nelio was shot in the theatre below the bakery where Jose works. Jose rescued him and tended to his wounds on the roof of the bakery until he died and then, following Nelio's wish, burned his body in the bakery's oven.
Now Jose is about to tell Nelio's story exactly as he heard it during nine consecutive nights. Jose is thus the only person to know Nelio's sad tale. He calls himself the Chronicler of the Winds because the tale he is about to tell, only the winds from the sea will ever hear it.
A rich and heartbreaking novel filled with moving characters and a plot which teaches us a lot about friendship, poverty and above all else solitude.

A Beautiful Book That Not Everyone Will Enjoy.......2006-09-07

I had never read anything by Henning Mankell. I randomly chose Chronicler of the Winds, and it was a fantastic book. However, many will believe the opposite, and I fully understand why. On the surface it tells the grim story of Nelio, a mortally wounded ten-year-old homeless boy, shot twice in the chest and destined to die on the grubby rooftop of a bakery in Mozambique. In the nine nights he clings to life, he manages to tell everything to Jose Antonio Maria Vaz, a sympathetic and lonely baker. He tells a brutal story--murder, rape, and the lesser horrors of daily survival in the city--but in the end, the story possesses an odd feeling of hope. It changes Jose Antonio's life, and he roams the city telling Nelio's story to the wind.

Many will dislike this book for two reasons. The first involves the bits of magical realism that gradually overwhelm the plot. Nelio lives in the empty belly of an abandoned equestrian statue. He has never been beaten up by other homeless kids, appears to have curative powers, and expresses simple wisdom like an old sage. He shares his travels with an albino dwarf, then (by chance) befriends an albino toward the end of the tale. Mystical cats, healing herbs, floating spirits--not to everyone's liking.

The second reason, and for many the most damning, involves Mankell's clear attempt to "say something." I won't rant, but people tend to see any search for deeper meaning as an attempt at The Five People You Meet in Heaven, as if there can be nothing meaningful yet sincere. People either like or don't like to be given answers, and those who dislike will see Mankell as a heavy-handed dispenser of philosophy-lite. I think they miss the point. Mankell doesn't intend to give answers; he reminds you to ask the questions. Mankell's big question is this: What kind of world allows a child to die? Mankell doesn't answer this except to say that it matters. Who can argue with that? How can you not be moved when a child "forced to eat life raw" makes the simple observation, "Old people are supposed to die. Not children"? It's a question that, when handled with care, leads to a fine novel like Chronicler of the Winds.

Mankell also makes this brutal story oddly uplifting by reminding the reader that happiness, to a certain extent, comes from how you live inside more than how you live outside. I wouldn't say that Nelio enjoys his existence, but he does the most with what he has. He challenges the sorrow of his world, and while he doesn't overcome it, his gains small victories. Mankell has written a book that wallows in realistic brutality yet leaves the reader feeling moved, thankful, and oddly inspired. He earns my respect for that.

A Very Sad Story.......2006-09-01

I obtained this book on interlibrary loan thinking it might be a Kurt Wallender story. I read the whole thing, but it was a chore. Maybe I'm not sympathetic enough, but I was not ready for the unrelieved grimness. I have to admit the writing was admirable for what the author was trying to do, but I would not recommend this book for entertainment.

A wondeful story........2006-08-27

As a huge fan of Mankell's Wallander mystery series, I was curious to read this book, which is a totally different character. I found it just as brilliant and engaging as any of his other works. It is amazing how Mankell can be so talented in so many different styles of writing (I include in that statement his young adult novels and his stage plays). The Chronicler of the Wind is truly touching. It is also quite gripping, and I could hardly put the book down at night. I recommend this book for everyone, from teenagers to seniors. If you like this one, also check out Mankell's other African novels, Secrets in the Fire and Playing With Fire.

Book Description

In the empire of Gandistra,
a mystical union of elemental
magics reigns...

Lorand, Rion, Tamrissa, Vallant, Jovvi and Naran have combined their elemental powers and their deep compassion to bring a new era of enlightenment to their once enslaved land. The miraculous reforms decreed by the Ruling Sixfold Blending have enabled all to freely pursue the Lmits of their magic. But freedom is a hated thing to some, giving rise to jealousy, deceitfulness and unchecked ambition.

As traitors scheme at home, the Chosen Six are called beyond Gandistra's borders to deal with a dire threat to their empire and their world. For, as the leaders of neighboring Gracely bicker and brood and play politics, an inconceivable army is massing -- an invading wave of impossible terror, dedicated to the total devastation of everything in its path. And it may already be too late to stop a foe immune to every known magic -- including the awesome blended might of Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Sight, and Spirit.

Customer Reviews:

Loved these sets.......2002-03-17

I absolutly love these books i'm reading them for the third time since fall 2001

Fantasy Candy.......2002-03-05

I always enjoy Sharon's work, with the Blending/Enthroned being my favorites. But I will admit that I concider them to be like candy, fun while they are in front of you, but not really leaving a long aftertaste once they're done.

I can tell that Sharon has some final goal that our Seated Blending needs to reach, and my curiosity about that goal keeps me reading. I have noticed that she has started using archetypes for her villians, and in some places it has become repeatative...not that I mind too much...candy, remember...

The nobles working off their sentences are some of my favorite new characters, and I am really awaiting the next one (which comes out in time for my b'day ;-) ).

If you're looking for a seious delving into epic fantasy, you're better off looking elsewhere. But if you want a fun romp, with interesting characters, and a fascinating magic system, I think you'll be pleased with the Blending/Blending Enthroned.

Settle things and move on.......2001-10-02

While I enjoyed the initial series, the internal strivings of the Seated Blending is getting overdone and distracting. I've gotten so I skip over the infantile tantrums and high school relationships.

If you read this book, focus on the nobles who were sent West to help recover the wasted lands. Those people are interesting; they develop and grow. Pay attention, as well, to the middles and their instructors learning how to develop their own skills and the troubles that arise there. These two areas are much more complicated and enjoyable to read.

The Blending has become redundant and, frankly, annoying. If one more of them sleeps with another person, I think I may give up all together. I can only hope the next book will finally settle the relationship issues so the Blending can move on with problems outside of themselves.

Enough Already..........2001-09-30

Could we just get a book about the Middles now? I'm more interested in how they deal with the sudden availability of training and recognition for their talents than the continual triumphs and superiority of the Seated Six. Is there anyone they meet who isn't arrogant, superior and in their face? Who doesn't need to be taken down a peg or six? Who doesn't then gasp in Awe at their Unshielded Might?

I'm much more interested in the situation in the City, as well as the enslaved nobles who are now becoming useful members of humanity. Suffering through yet ANOTHER rift between Tamrissa and Vallant is just plain cruel. Their childish approach to relationships was old by the end of the first series and I'd hoped never, ever, to listen to their whining again.

The ending felt like the author simply wanted to create Hopeless Circumstances so dumped on every catastrophe that came to mind. Never mind that the events in the City made no sense. Some of the next steps seem obvious; however, if she takes the storyline where hinted, I wonder how she'll make it believable. I guess I'll keep reading to find out...I've gone this far, after all.

Shallow Characters and a Corny Plot.......2001-08-15

This book has some attempt at a plot but is a major letdown after Sharon Green's other Blending books. Her characters are either these saints who know everything, or evil nobles who are plotting to take each other down. The main Blending's only purpose it seems is to point out how everyone else in the world is stupid, greedy, and far inferior to their great power. And why is it that every book involves some elaborate reason why all the characters must sleep with each other? It seems Ms. Green has run out of any other way of involving romance into the plot now that the characters have all paired off, so in order to keep her hornier readers interested she must give the characters a chance to screw around...again and again. And none of the main characters can do any wrong. They seem to be infallably kind and forgiving, while still able to point out a million flaws in everyone they meet. In fact, the only place they seem to have any problems is with their own relationships, which seem to have the same trite problems showing up over and over and over again. So Tamrissa can run an entire nation, and show what a strong female character she is, until Vallant (what's with the name anyway) comes near and she turns into a quivering mass of indecisiveness, self-pity, and doubt. I'll admit at first it was somewhat interesting, but by the seventh book it has been run into the ground enough times! This book is shallow, and simply an attempt to make money and finish off a dying series. Sharon Green should dunk her head in a bucket of water before she writes another book!

Customer Reviews:

This is an excellent book!!!.......1999-06-01

I think this book is great for children from the ages 8-11. I found this book very interesting and very idea-giving. This is a great way to build ones imagination!!

Great read-aloud to stimulate Lincoln discussion........1998-05-05

We use BTTDLWS in 5th grade during our Civil War era discussions. Works better for 5th grade as a read-aloud rather than as independent reading because of the sometimes more advanced vocabulary for 10/11 year-olds. The characters are 12 years old, so 6th or 7th graders may find it easier reading. Opportunities for discussion on time-travel, the chance to change history, and the Lincoln assassination are endless. Check it out before it goes out of print like Book #2 in the series "Back to Paul Revere".

Back to the Day Lincoln Was Shot! (Travelers Through Time #3)

Average customer rating:

Back to the Day Lincoln Was Shot! (Travelers Through Time #3)
Beatrice Gormley
Manufacturer: Apple
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NY256K

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Average customer rating:

A beautifully inspiring true story!
Such an inspiring, fulfilling experience to read this book.
Fascinating. I read it to the end and immediately re-read it

A Memory for Wonders: A True Story
Veronica Namoyo Le Goulard
Manufacturer: Ignatius Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0898704308

Customer Reviews:

A beautifully inspiring true story!.......2001-02-19

A beautiful story ... a true testament that "for God, nothing is impossible". Nicely written and easy reading; a joy for any age, especially for today's youth - an example of the benefits of enduring hardship and sacrifice.

Such an inspiring, fulfilling experience to read this book........1999-05-20

I could not put this book down. In a world filled with trashy novels that contain the usual tales of love affairs or intrigue, this book is such a gust of fresh air. It inspires one to the utmost and fills the heart, as the title states; with wonders. It truly fills the soul and mind. And what makes it extra special.....It's true!!! This is the book to read if you have lost hope in God or doubt his existence. Read it!

Fascinating. I read it to the end and immediately re-read it.......1997-01-16

Hard to put down. I couldn't wait for each tomorrow, when I could continue reading.

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