Instead of Three Wishes...

[fajrdrako]

I became a fan of Megan Whelan Turner's writing from her exquisite series of books, The Thief, The Queen of Attolia and The King of Attolia. And I enjoyed the style of Instead of Three Wishes very much, even though it is a collection of fantasy short stories, and I'm not too fond of the short story as a literary form. Yes, I know, I both write and read fanfic, which is usually short stories too, but short stores based on established and specific characters .... It seems to make all the difference.

My favourite of the stories in this book was "Leroy Roachbane", about a black American boy named Leroy who is told to write an essay on his ancestors, and writes a story about Scandinavian missionaries. Sent by his mother to buy some pesticide to deal with the cockroaches in their apartment, Leroy accidentally falls into the dark ages - think Beowulf - and finds himself a hero known as Leroy Roachbane. I loved the way the story was race-blind, and the way it dealt with mythical history.

The title story had an interesting twist. it was set in a town called New Duddleston, which could be anywhere in the English-speaking fairy tale world, but which turns out to be in Ontario. A reference to Ontario Hydro blew its cover, and then the University of Waterloo. The last paragraph blew it by talking about the "Meech Lake Accord" (yes, very Canadian), and then "the French and Indian War", which no Canadian would say. But I'm not sure it's a mistake. Turner might have been thinking that her American readers would have no idea what the "Seven Years War" was.

"The Nightmare" is one of the best stories I've read on the theme of "treat other people the way you want to be treated".

All the stories here were good. None of the stories - not even the one about Leroy - has the panache of the books about Eugenides, but Turner is a darn good writer in any case.

Comments

[jkluge.livejournal.com]

Sort of off-topic, here, but I was too lazy to hunt up your email addy (sorry!). :-) I wanted to let you know about Wild Robert (the Diana Wynne Jones book): it's very nice, but *very* short -- for kids as young as 7 years. For adults, it's more like the first *chapter* of a story -- left me feeling rather disappointed, because I wanted so much more. However, if you can get it used and inexpensively, like I did, it's worth it because it's still a lovely true-to-style Diana Wynne Jones book much like Charmed Life and The Ogre Downstairs. *And* the illustrations are charming and lovely pencil pieces -- well worth the filthy lucre.

Also, I thought the costumes on these Obitsu dollies on this page (http://www.junkyspot.com/OBITSU/gallerychariewilson.html) might interest you, the Elizabethan ones specifically (you've got to scroll down a bit).

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Re Wild Robert: yes, I got it from the library, and I agree.

Those dolls are gorgeous - I particularly like the red Elizabethan one.

[jkluge.livejournal.com]

I liked both the Elizabethan costumes equally -- too hard to choose! :-)

I'm glad you got to see Wild Robert without spending the $$, although I'm not at all *sorry* I got mine -- I love the illos, and I collect a lot of books for that reason alone, so I'm very pleased.

She has a new book about Cat Chant coming out in a month or two. The Pinhoe Egg: A Chrestomanci Book

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

There's something about Elizabethan costumes - they tend to be gorgeous.

I look forward to The Pinhoe Egg - yay! I hope my library gets it quickly.

[jkluge.livejournal.com]

The Elizabethan style was quite beautiful.

If your library gets any books from England, maybe The Pinhoe Egg is already there? I'm wondering if the book is already out there...uh, no. Just checked Amazon.ca and AmazonUK -- it comes out late Sept-early Oct in US and Canada, next week in the UK.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I checked the library catalogue, just in case we can do requests already, but no... it isn't there yet. I might request it in the 'request to order books' section.

I often fall in love with a certain type of costuming because of literary or film connotations. The first history book I ever loved was about Sir Francis Drake - therefore I love the clothes of his era. Same with Regency/Empire style from Georgette Heyer novels.

[omnivorously.livejournal.com]

I just reread _The Thief_, for the first time since I was, oh, about 10, and it was just as lovely as I remembered. Needless to say, _The Queen of Attolia_ and _The King of Attolia_ are high on my wishlist. And I have a crush on Eugenides ; )

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I have a crush on Eugenides too. He's quite amazing, and in my opinion, just keeps getting better as the stories continue and the surprises keep on coming. He's on my short list of 'truly remarkable fictional heroes'.

[omnivorously.livejournal.com]

He gets better? Really? Wow. I not only love him, but I love his narrative voice. But you know what I mean. I like him better than Miles Vorkosigan, if you're familiar with the Bujold books (I forget how we met; probably someone's LJ), because I think I could actually enjoy Eugenides company.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I not only love him, but I love his narrative voice.

"The King of Attolia" has another viewpoint character, but Eugenides' personal style comes through loud and clear. I don't know whether I like Miles Vorkosigan or Eugenides more; equally, maybe, though I confess that my favourite Bujold character is Aral Vorkosigan, not Miles. This doesn't mean I don't find Miles remarkable. There is a short list of heroes I find really extraordinary: Eugenides, Miles Vorkosigan, Andrej Koscuisko, Francis Crawford... there may be others but I can't think of them offhand. ALl favourites, each in his own unique way.

[filkferengi]

Megan Whalen Turner rocks! I'm ever so glad Lois recommended her books. In fact, I just reread _King of Attolia_ today.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Isn't "The King of Attolia" wonderful? I think it may be my favourite book of the three. I love the way she does intersting things with point of view, to change our perception of what is going on.

[filkferengi]

Between getting cross-eyed from reading all the optical illusions & getting metaphorical whiplash, it's quite a ride!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes - it's like having a story on stage, and a story behind the story, and then what's going on in the wings with the people who are really running the show. And you don't know who's on what level, until you know.

I love it.

I want a fourth book soon!

[filkferengi]

Ay, there's the rub. Do you know if any are even planned? I want to see Sophos again, preferably with a happy ending.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I believe Megan Whalen Turner in planning to write more books about Eugenides, yes. But she isn't a quick writer (so true of so many of the good ones!) and I don't know what stage she is at. "King" isn't even out in paperback yet. It may be quite a wait.