There is a lot of hubbub in the Fantasy and Sci-Fi world right now. Over what, you ask? Well, mostly film. There is a film adaptation of Ender’s Game in the works; and the Sci-Fi Channel is planning a miniseries adaptation of Dune (You would have thought that the original cinematic version of Dune would have taught these people something, but we are NOT going there right now). Finally, there is a live-action version of Fellowship of the Ring in production.

As you know, many years ago there was a very successful cartoon adaptation of The Hobbit, and I hear that the other books in The Lord of the Rings were also adapted in the same format. But live action? COME ON. Especially considering that Elijah Wood is playing the lead: a fifty-something Frodo Baggins.

Strangely enough, this has been quite the topic of conversation between my boss and myself. Mostly we have been discussing the various casting decisions, but we have also been tripping back into our memories of Tolkein and his world. Being that it has been well over ten years since the first time I picked up a Tolkein book, my memory was a little rusty. What I did remember was that I found Tolkein just a bit long-winded and was impatient throughout most of the three books.

So, I decided that it is time to revisit the world of elves, dwarves, orcs, magicians, humans, and, Hobbits. I dusted off my Dad’s copy of Fellowship of the Ring and started reading again-on breaks and lunches. The first thing I noticed was that what I initially found tedious was actually wonderful description. Tolkein may take two or three pages to describe something that other authors describe in two or three paragraphs, but the detail and imagery ensure that you know the scene intimately and can smell the air in that place.

Soon after that I was caught up in the story and paid little attention to anything else. The story, as I have said, is of Frodo Baggins, the nephew and heir-designate of Bilbo Baggins whom fifty years earlier had gone on a quest that led him to Smaug the Dragon and a most peculiar ring. In this story, Gandalf returns and sets a quest for Frodo: to destroy the Ring before it can be used to create havoc in the world of Middle Earth.

And, no, I am not giving anything away. The plot is classic, not many twists and turns to it. Tolkein used the plot as a platform for amazing imagery and character development. NONE of his characters are flat. They are all incredibly rich.

Which brings me to my next realization. It is something that I have heard before, but didn’t have the patience to understand at the time. The Lord of the Rings is the foundation upon which most Fantasy, and especially Fantasy involving a quest is based. I kept finding myself thinking ‘that reminds me of..’ always referring to a newer work. Where the Odyssey is the blueprint for most modern fiction, Tolkein provided the same for modern fantasy. Don’t believe me? Read the LOTR trilogy and then read The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks. In fact, re-reading Fellowship reminded me of something that Brooks said in his forward. He talks about looking for a publisher for Sword and when he does, it is the same publisher that published Tolkein, and he said, “Why would they want me when they already have Tolkein?”

At the time, I didn’t really understand what he meant. To me, they were vaguely similar but not really. Now I get it. Tolkein is ‘North’ for all Fantasy writers.

Tolkein created a wonderful world called middle earth and filled it with a rich landscape and deep characters. It is always a good read. But, if you have no time or no patience, you won’t really get it. For those who have the time, take it to read Fellowship of the Ring again. It is well worth it, and you will be surprised by how much of Tolkein applies to all the other Fantasy you love.

Mass Market Paperback – 479 pages Reissue edition (November 1989) Ballantine Books (Mm); ISBN: 0345339703; Dimensions (in inches): 1.07 x 6.85 x 4.22

The thing about good writing, and a good story is that it never goes out of style. Good writing is as fresh today as it was – say 400 years ago. Just look at Shakespeare. Good writing, good stories. Another thing about a good story is that it allows for expansion, and embellishment. The writer can go back and fill in gaps in the story or create new threads and it all fits together.

Now I am by no means suggesting that McCaffrey is another Shakespeare. For while she clearly expresses her opinions on culture and society in her books they are not on the level of Shakespeare’s plays. BUT, she does tell a damn good story, the best of these are the Pern stories. The first of which (Dragon Flight) was written over twenty years ago. The latest of which is Masterharper of Pern.

McCaffrey’s genius lies not in her insight into the human condition (although she does have such vision) but in the strength and depth of her characters. Their utter reality. In this business she creates the most true people. No, no that they don’t lie, but that they are most like ourselves: the people we wish we were, are scared that we are, and those that we know ourselves to be. You might expect to meet Robinton on the street someday the way he is realized in this book and others.

Her characters have life-like depth as well as shallowness, and foibles, and irks, and pet peeves. They are driven out of real emotions like you and I experience every day. The situations that these characters often find themselves easily strike a cord with our own lives. They are ordinary people who can accomplish extraordinary things – just like all us monkies wish to and sometimes do achieve.

In this latest installment Anne gives us the story of Robinton, Master Harper of Pern, from the time of his birth to the opening events of Dragon Flight. Robinton is one of the pivotal figures in the original Pern series (Dragon Flight, Dragon Quest, and The White Dragon). A man of such good heart and faith that the best of us might feel like our hearts are black on the inside. Yet, we cannot help but identify with him.

While this book is about Robinton and the events of his early life ultimately it is about love, and it’s myriad incarnations, even the lack of it. It’s about the impact has on lives: the characters lives, our lives. Anne explores this most peculiar human emotion and in some ways comes to terms with it, exults in it, lauds it.

Along the way, she shapes the world so familiar to her fans. Still, this story stands on its own. If you haven’t read any of the other Pern novels you don’t have to in order to “get” this one. Although those who have read the others will have a different appreciation for the plot (if it can be said to have a plot). The PEOPLE are what drive this story.

If you like watching people’s lives unfold and their interaction with each other this is the book for you and there’s enough action for those of you that enjoy good plot to definitely keep your attention.

Mass Market Paperback – 422 pages 1 Mass mkt edition (January 1999) Del Rey; ISBN: 0345424603 ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.11 x 6.85 x 4.22

Yet again I have decided to turn away from the safe secure world of adult fiction to the untamed wilds of Juvenile monkey Fiction. The Book of Three is the introductory novel into the land of Prydain. Alexander takes the myths of the Welsh and weaves them with his own creations to create a richly textured land of yore.

There is no fancy iconography or complex themes to this story. It is a basic story of good, evil, sorcerers and swords, warriors and assistant pig-keepers. Oh yeah, of course there is a princess!

Taran lives on a farm called Caer Dallben with Coll, Dallben, and an oracular pig named Hen Wen. Dalben is a Seer, or Sorcerer, or Wise Man – Taran cannot decide. Coll is the big, jolly guy who is the farm’s handyman. Hen Wen is just a happy pig as far as Taran can tell. Nothing ever happens at Caer Dalben.Taran wishes for adventure.

And one day it happens. Hen Wen freaks out and escapes her pen. Taran chases off after her into the forest and then you have to read the rest! Along the way he meets Gwydion, prince of the House of Don, Eilonwy – Princess of the House of Llyr, Fflweddur Fflam – errant bard with a penchant for prevarication, and The Horned King (not a good guy).

This story is A LOT of fun, especially for the juvenile monkey just getting started with books without pictures. For the older monkey revisiting this enchanted tale it is still a good read. The symbolism may appear heavy-handed and the language simple (minus all the Welsh vocab) but the story will still grip you. The characters are enjoining if a little sketchy.

And the Saga continues! Like the Chronicles of Narnia, there are several books in this story that follow Taran through more adventures and through puberty!

It is a must read for the young monkey.

Paperback Reissue edition (January 12, 1999) Yearling Books; ISBN: 0440407028; Dimensions (in inches): 0.60 x 7.61 x 5.10

Today we are going to take a step off the beaten Fantasy path. I think that it is time that some of my obscure favorites put their faces into the light. So far, as Blind Monkey will attest, I have reviewed Science Fiction Staples. Books and authors recognized for their creative genius.

Let’s have some fun instead.

I first read (actually had it read to me) The Blue Sword while still in Elementary School – Fifth Grade actually. I know story time is a throw back to Kindergarten but my teacher (Mrs. Froehlich) thought it was a good idea and she was probably right.

I have read it more than a score of times since.

In all the years since I have kept that story in fond memory and have a beat up and torn copy of the book.

Clearly the book is written for older children or young adults – I guess I’m just young at heart.

Based heavily on the Brittish Empire in India, McKinley takes us to Damaria, very far from The Homeland. And in Damaria she takes us to the last, furthest most fort of the Homelanders: Istan.

Harry Crewe is the protagonist of the story. Recently arrived in Daria, her brother Richard is nominally in charge of her after her Father’s death.

Oh. Did I not mention Harry is a woman? How forgetful of me. Angaharad Crewe is Richard Crewe’s younger sister. Richard is stationed at Fort Mundy in Istan. Harry goes to live with him after her father’s death. Is that clear enough? I hope so.

Now, Harry has a run in with the last, free King in Daria: Corlath, King of the Hill Folk. His people live in the mountains across the desert from Istan.

Thinking nothing of the encounter she continues on with her normal routine. Then one night she is rudely awakened by her head bouncing against a horses withers.

It is not, though a story from A Thousand and One Arabian Nights. Get your minds out of the gutter! Remember this book is targeted at preteens.

For some reason, this story reminds me a lot of Kipling but made for an older audience. Could just be the India – esque landscape, but it could also be the amazing animal friends that Harry makes a long the way.

The story is A LOT of fun. It has intrigue, romance, fighting, and magic. Lots of magic. There isn’t anything spectacular about this book. BUT, I guarantee that if you like a good fantasy story, and one that will involve you and take you away from whatever doldrums you are dealing with that this book will do it for a while.

The writing is clean and imaginative. The characters while purposefully stereotypical are engaging and believable. Read it and enjoy. After you are finished with that go get The Hero’s Crown. A prequel to Blue Sword.

Hardcover School & Library Binding 1st edition (February 1983) William Morrow & Company; ISBN: 0688009387 ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.04 x 9.32 x 6.30

I know that most of you who saw this novel on Amazon.com almost immediately shrugged it off as just another sequel to The Wizard of Oz. You could not be further removed from the truth. We all have seen the movie countless times, and some of us in our lives have managed to wade through Baum’s children’s book (yeah, right) in which Dorothy wreaks havoc on the sister witches of East and West Oz. However, until you read Wicked, you have not experienced the full spectrum of the darkness and all too human acting citizens of Oz.

In The Wizard of Oz, we heard the story of Dorothy Gale (funny, her name was Gale and she was carried away by a twister … Baum was nothing if not imaginative), what happened to her (and her little dog, too) in Oz and how she handled the Wicked Witch of the West and what her impressions of said witch were. In Wicked, we hear the story of Elphaba, the true name of the Wicked Witch of the West, who was born to a minister and his comely wife from Rush Margins, a territory of Oz. Despite the ailment of being born with a skin condition which rendered her a greenish glow and posessing naturally sharp, pointed teeth, Elphaba was nothing more or nothing less than anyone else born in those days in Oz. Gnawed by a desire for truth and knowledge, she patiently waits until she can attend the University in Shiz (she eventually meets Galinda, a student of sorcery who later shortened her name to Glinda and became Witch of the North) where she attempts to blend into Shizonian society despite her appearance. However, shunned by her freakish nature and misunderstood by most citizens, Elphaba gladly accepts the role of witch that the world has given her. Led by despair and loneliness, Elphaba becomes more disenchanted with each passing year, until the fateful day her sister (Nessarose, by name) is killed by a strange house which fell from the sky. Which is where most of us remember the story, if only from Dorothy’s viewpoint.

Gregory Maguire, a children’s novelist, has taken license with Baum’s Oz and crafted a unique and intelligently written fable for adults. I strongly recommend this book as required reading to all who thought that witches are all greenfaced wicked individuals. Sometimes, the wicked people are in fact the most compassionate of all.

Hardcover 1 Ed edition (January 1999) Little Brown Company; ISBN: 0316152196; Dimensions (in inches): 1.40 x 9.49 x 6.45

…Twenty years after Columbus’ Crusade. What Rome called ‘The Final Victory over the Infidel’. Europe and Asia are on fire as the Tlaxcalan Confederacy storms East. Jeruselum is raised and a Temple to Huitzilopoctli is dedicated with the blood of Europe’s royalty. It could have been…

Science Fiction is SUPPOSED to deal with the future. GOOD Science Fiction takes cultural and sociological issues of today and transposes them into an alien environment so that those issues stand out in STARK relief. Novels that deal with how things Might Have Been are called Fictional or Alternative History. So, what do you call a book that deals with two, count them TWO pasts? One of those being a very strict Historical Fiction and the other being a Wild Alternate History. Plus, THREE Futures. As if that were not enough complexity, there are at least SIX identifiable protagonists. As you can tell, Orson Scott Card’s Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus takes these disparate threads, multitude of characters, and weaves a compelling story of the struggle for Utopia.

Imagine a world just after the Cataclysm. Humanity reduced to a very small fraction of its former size. The technology needed to save the planet (read Homo Sapiens) in the Near Past (read Our Present) is now available in the Near Future. It is, of course, too late. Envision this near future with the ability to View the past and One Person who rages at the fact that it cannot be changed. What happens when these Descendants discover that they are living in a world Not entirely of their making. And what if these people discover the ONE individual who can change it all… Again.

Enough, way too much really. Read it! Decide for yourself.

Card, a consummate writer in the Science Fiction Genre, (See Monkey’s Top Ten List) thouroughly researched the historical, cultural, and scientific data presented in this…Novel. There is even an annotated bibliography. With the usual Card Flare he creates entirely believable Worlds, some past, some present, some future. With the Exception of Ender’s Game this would be his Magnum Opus. The characters are Strong, Real, and create a level of Empathy and Compassion in the reader rarely seen from this type of writer. The ‘What Ifs’ it raises are overwhelming and intriguing. The Alienism of the environment is enough to elucidate the social and cultural issues that Card wishes to explore (See Paragraph 2). Yet, Harry Turtledove would stand in Awe of the Alternate Histories raised in this story.

Go! Read! Reply!
I already know what I think. You tell me what you think!

Mass Market Paperback – 422 pages 1 Mass mkt edition (January 1999) Del Rey; ISBN: 0345424603 ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.11 x 6.85 x 4.22