What I've Read Recently

What I've Read Recently . . .

In The Shadow of the Lamp by Susanne Dunlap -- Young Adult Historical Fiction

In 1854 London, Seventeen-year-old Molly works hard as a parlourmaid in a rich household, but an enemy destroys her chance of ever climbing the ladder higher. Unable to face her family with the shame of her disgrace, she learns of Florence Nightingale's request for nurses to go to Crimea and nurse wounded soldiers. Molly is rejected because she's too young and not a trained nurse but she is determined to find a way. Her tenaciousness pays off and soon she finds herself on a dangerous journey to the unknown in Turkey where she will experience things she's never seen or felt before. Though the nurses are forbidden from fraternizing with the staff or patients, Molly strikes up a friendship with a young doctor which she thinks may develop into more. Molly discovers a deep empathy for the suffering and her skills are desperately needed. She keeps busy nursing and trying to keep her friend Emma out of trouble. Then someone from her past shows up on the front and complicates matters. Molly is torn between duty and loyalty. One will cost her her heart and the other will cost her job. This is a coming-of-age novel set against the backdrop of the Crimean War. I do not know anything about that war or even where Crimea is on a modern map. My biggest complaint with the story is that there isn't enough historical background that explains what the soldiers are fighting for. A map would have been appreciated. Otherwise the historical details are excellent, almost too good, for the book contains detailed descriptions of period medical practice complete with blood and gore. The author also describes the unsanitary conditions of the hospital where Molly works. The plot of the novel is fine. There are some really unrealistic moments, even some bordering on fantasy, which I did not like. I could have done without the romantic triangle plot. Molly is a plucky heroine and one to be admired. Florence Nightingale was a true heroine and I would like to read more about her.

The Rogue Crew (Redwall) by Brian Jacques -- Middle Grades Adventure/Fantasy

This final novel by Brian Jacques features  a vermin leader known as a Wearat who rides a ship with a green sail over the high seas until being burned by the rogue crew of sea otters of the High North Coast. Razzid Wearat nearly went to Hellsgates in that attack but he survived and now he's bent on revenge. His ship now has wheels and it carries the vermin leader wherever he wants to go. A surprise murder of Salamandastron hares has some of the Long Patrol heading out to form an alliance with the Rogue Crew. Back in Mossflower, the peaceful Redwell Abbey dwellers face the problem of a gluttonous young hedgehog Uggo Wiltud. While sleeping off a stomachache, Uggo sees the green sailed ship on wheels sailing towards Redwall. The otter Cellarkeepeper Jum Gurdy knows of his ship and the destruction it could cause to the Abbey. He hopes his uncle will be able to tell him more and takes young Uggo off on a journey to find out whether Razzid Wearat and his ship were finished off long ago. The adventure will take all of the characters off on a dangerous quest where they will come closer to the enemy than they ever dreamed. It's up to the Redwallers to defend their home against the vermin raiders and hope the experienced warriors arrive in time. This story follows the usual pattern of the Redwall novels but it's a grand adventure just the same. I felt it dragged a bit in parts and took too long to get to the point. There were also so many characters I had a hard time connecting with any of them. I also thought too many good guys died and some of the characters were pretty gruesome. Though the plot is predictable it's a rousing good yarn anyway. The book works as a stand-alone as long as the reader has read Redwall. This series by a much-loved author will be much missed by legions of fans all over the world. Farewell old friend!

Brian Jacques

Farewell, Brian Jacques

picture from Redwall wiki

Sad news for fans of the wonderful children's writer Brian Jacques. His family has confirmed that he passed away on February 5, 2011. He was the creator of the amazing Redwall series of novels set in a mythical woodland abbey and populated with all manner of woodland creatures who are moved to take up the sword to defend their peaceful home from evil invaders.  He also wrote the Castaways of the Flying Dutchman series based on the legend of the ghost ship.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Jacques one afternoon about ten years ago at a storytelling/book signing event at a bookstore near my home. I had never read the Redwall books though I was aware of them from the library shelves. Mr. Jacques was an entertaining storyteller and told many humorous anecdotes about growing up in Liverpool and other fun stories. He took the time to greet each child in line and personalize an inscription. I picked The Castaways of the Flying Dutchman for my mom's friend's son and headed to the library to pick up the Redwall books. I was surprised by the amount of violence in the stories but I quickly got sucked into the beautiful world Mr. Jacques created. His descriptions are so vivid and characterizations so real, I felt like I was right there in Mossflower Wood. I think I read the entire series in one week and waited eagerly for the next installment. My personal favorites are the ones that deal with the history of Redwall and move backward in time to tell the story.

I'm saddened that the world has lost such a gifted storyteller. 

Farewell, Mr. Jacques!

REDWAAALLLLLLL!!!!

What I Read This Weekend

What I Read This Weekend . . .

The Sable Quean (Redwall) by Brian Jacques -- Middle Grades Fantasy

The latest threat to the peaceful woodlanders of Mossflower comes from Vilaya, the dangerous Sable Quean who commands hordes of vermin called ravagers. Vilaya and the dangerous sable Zwilt the Shade are out to conquer Redwall Abbey. Vilaya has devised a plan to kidnap the Dibbuns and other woodland babes in order to blackmail her way into the Abbey. Meanwhile, Buckler Kordyne, the rebellious, restless young blademaster at Salamandatron, is advised by the great badger Lord Brang to go on an adventure to visit Redwall Abbey and Buck's brother and sister-in-law who live near Redwall. Buck brings along his pal, the always hungry, Subaltern Meliton Gubthorpe Digglethwaite. When Buck and Diggs set out on their journey, they have no idea of the adventure and experience that awaits them. Assisted by a crew of shrews, a traveling troupe of hedgehog actors and warriors of Redwall, Buck and Diggs vow to return the missing children and destroy the vermin. The vermin soon learn what it means to mess with Redwallers and their friends. The adventures continue in this latest tale from Redwall. The plot of this new story does not exactly follow the usual formula, so it kept me intrigued far into the night! I like the departure because I felt that the books were getting too formulaic and predictable. The story revisits Mossflower history and faithful fans will delight in figuring out the mystery ahead of the Redwallers and new fans will enjoy learning about the history of Mossflower for the first time. Jacques always excels at creating colorful characters that live on in the reader's memory even after the last page is finished. Though you know the Redwallers always win in the end, getting there is the fun part and this book is no exception. Another great yarn from Mr. Jacques!

A Scandalous Journey by Susannah Carleton -- Regency Romance

George Winterbrook, Lord Weymouth, wakes up to find himself in an unfamiliar place with his hands and feet bound. He doesn't know where he is or how he came to be there. He soon learns that he has been abducted by his friend's former wife, who wishes to coerce Weymouth into marrying her. George refuses to marry without love, but Lady Arabella is persistent and threatens George's young niece Isabelle if he doesn't comply. Beth Castleton also awakens in an unfamiliar location with a throbbing headache. Her maid, though kind, does not know how Beth came to be in Scotland nor for what purpose. Beth is led to the book room where she will be able to speak with her hostess and get some answers. There George encounters Beth reciting square roots to calm her nerves. He hopes she will help rescue him, but doubts she will because she was rather frosty towards him when last they met at his cousin's house party. Beth agrees to help rescue young Isabelle and if possible, George too. Plans go awry and the journey back to London is difficult and dangerous but George is determined to protect both his niece and the intrepid young lady who did not hesitate to help him. Once safely back in London, Beth dreads the coming Season. She feels like a curiosity because she is American and doesn't fit in because she prefers mathematics to gossip. Weymouth introduces Beth to his family and friends to help calm her nerves. The one thing that can mar Beth's happiness, is the knowledge that she traveled unescorted with Weymouth. Though she enjoys his company, Beth refuses to force George to marry her unless he loves her. They may not have a choice if Lady Arabella has her way. This is a rather unusual story. There is no exposition, the hero and heroine have already been introduced, and the plot picks up right away. Yet, I still felt the story was rather slow and I didn't really care what happened once the scandalous journey was over. The hero is a paragon. He's the exact opposite of a rake. He's a little too good to be true. I really liked Beth for being an intelligent and intrepid heroine but a little too prone to turn into a watering pot for lame reasons. If you're looking for something different and don't like rakish heroes, then try this one. It seems to be part of a series but background information is revealed throughout the story so those who have not read the previous books (like me) can enjoy this as a stand alone.