Saturday, September 26, 2009
And Now For Something Different...Part 2
If you were at all interested in my article, City of Heroes: Choosing your First Archetype, but are more interested in City of Villains then check out my follow up article, City of Villains: Choosing your First Archetype.
Review of Erick Setiawan's of Bees and Mist
The fairy tale genre was never one that really caught my attention, and though I don’t dislike it I don’t really understand it either. So when I picked up Erick Setiawan’s novel, of Bees and Mist, I did so because the story sounded interesting, not because I considered it to be an adult’s fairy tale. Gradually it dawned on me that there was more to this novel than simply the story of Meridia’s fight for love in the face of a selfish, influential, and (mostly) heartless mother-in-law.
Of Bees and Mist is, most probably, the perfect title for this wonderful and elusive story, as they represent the two of the influential and magical aspects of the novel. Though never directly associated, they are a part of a greater vortex of troubles that plague Meridia and her desire for a contented and happy life. With winds that at times attempt to consume her entire being, it is only with careful steps and open eyes that she can continue to move forward. She does not, thankfully, travel without missteps or the need for other’s assistance. With a well rounded and impressively diverse collection of characters, there are no easily discernable gaps in the story’s progress. Even minor characters, like the young and hesitant servant Gabilan, fit perfectly within the story’s realisms and even have moments of their own where they are individualized and unique.
My only concern throughout the novel was that Eva, the wicked mother-in-law, was never redeemed and only accidentally punished for her actions. For such a strong and pride-driven character it seemed as though she should have eventually wised up to her wrong doings, or at least driven herself to ruin when she inevitably stepped over her bounds. Instead, Mr. Setiawan relies on an outside and previously uninvolved source for her final punishment which neither justifies Eva’s suffering nor allows for her redemption. It is not a great enough issue to avoid this novel, though it did at times make me put the book down in frustration.
Overall of Bees and Mist delivers one of the most imaginative and creative stories I have read recently. With a rich collection of characters, an even richer world of magic and spirits, and a basic story that is reminiscent of the Cinderella classic, this novel is a must for any fairy tale lover and should not be ignored by anyone.
Setiawan, Erick. of Bees and Mist. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2009
Of Bees and Mist is, most probably, the perfect title for this wonderful and elusive story, as they represent the two of the influential and magical aspects of the novel. Though never directly associated, they are a part of a greater vortex of troubles that plague Meridia and her desire for a contented and happy life. With winds that at times attempt to consume her entire being, it is only with careful steps and open eyes that she can continue to move forward. She does not, thankfully, travel without missteps or the need for other’s assistance. With a well rounded and impressively diverse collection of characters, there are no easily discernable gaps in the story’s progress. Even minor characters, like the young and hesitant servant Gabilan, fit perfectly within the story’s realisms and even have moments of their own where they are individualized and unique.
My only concern throughout the novel was that Eva, the wicked mother-in-law, was never redeemed and only accidentally punished for her actions. For such a strong and pride-driven character it seemed as though she should have eventually wised up to her wrong doings, or at least driven herself to ruin when she inevitably stepped over her bounds. Instead, Mr. Setiawan relies on an outside and previously uninvolved source for her final punishment which neither justifies Eva’s suffering nor allows for her redemption. It is not a great enough issue to avoid this novel, though it did at times make me put the book down in frustration.
Overall of Bees and Mist delivers one of the most imaginative and creative stories I have read recently. With a rich collection of characters, an even richer world of magic and spirits, and a basic story that is reminiscent of the Cinderella classic, this novel is a must for any fairy tale lover and should not be ignored by anyone.
Setiawan, Erick. of Bees and Mist. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2009
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