It is the reader’s responsibility to ponder and comprehend the sometimes contradictory-seeming assertions into a form which is individually useful and meaningful.
The Brothers Grimm: A Biography Review
Bringhurst and Zolbrod approach the discussion thoughtfully, and I’ve written in conversation with their thoughts on the matter; Schmiesing clearly has opinions on the matter, but they don’t come across in the text as fully formed, and she engages with the matter shallowly, passing slantwise judgements on the Grimms’ editorial decisions and their intersection with contemporary and modern mores, without engaging in a deeper analysis.
The Knight in the Panther’s Skin Review
These must be some of the most emotional, nay, emotive knights. To an even greater extent than Arthurian champions, the knights in The Knight in the Panther’s Skin are deeply and vocally emotional.
The Consolation of Philosophy Review
Although it’s often described as being in the vein of one of Plato’s dialogues, the conversation between book-Boethius and Lady Philosophy reads like a cross between the style of Plato and the style of Dante.
Memories Like Roses Author’s Note and Release
Memories Like Roses is an initial attempt to capture some of those thoughts in story form, to explore the inherent conflict that seems present in translation through the medium of storytelling. Somehow, I doubt it will be my last word on the subject.
Five and Twenty Tales of the Genie Review
The core of Five and Twenty Tales of the Genie is what it means to be a good king, conveyed through a series of parables delivered by the titular mythological figure.
Languages in Fiction
Language is a funny thing, and for all authors should be preoccupied with it, we sometimes seem to forget to reflect linguistic variety in our fiction.
Shahnameh Review
The ”Persian Book of Kings” is sometimes described as the Persian Iliad which, after reading it, I think is a terrible description. Shahnameh is far less narrative, and it is as much a history book as it is an epic.
Volsunga Saga Review
If I were feeling lazy, I could probably summarize this review by saying that reading the Volsunga Saga was a little like reading a cross between Neil Gaiman’s Norse Mythology and The Story of Burnt Njal.
Diné Bahaneʼ Review
When I eventually came across Diné Bahaneʼ, billed as the Navajo creation story, it immediately went on my reading list, and I was even more excited when I began the book. Not only is Diné Bahaneʼ exactly what it claims to be, it is also a serious, scholarly treatment of the story, as accurately translated from an oral tradition as Zolbrod could manage.
